Innovation Insights Researcher

Innovation Insights Researcher

Role Scope

The Insights Researcher is a natural problem seeker. This role will develop partnerships with TNF athletes, external organizations, and consumers to translate problems into product opportunities. You will serve a critical role in defining new problems across Apparel, Footwear, Equipment and Accessories to feed the innovation pipeline, working in the field to gain a first-person understanding of problems and opportunities.

This position reports directly to the Director, Product Management, Global Innovation, and requires a strategic thinker who combines a deep understanding of Snow, Climb or Trail with strong analytical capabilities that lead to meaningful product insights and solutions.

What you will do:

• Contribute to Innovation pipeline by gathering, analyzing and translating problems from all global regions into consumer and athlete-informed insights.
• Create compelling insight stories that bring data to life—using visuals and storytelling to drive understanding, alignment, and clarity.
• Identify and develop partnerships with mountain guide, industry and educational organizations for research and testing.
• Develop technology and competitive landscape studies.  
• Present research findings and analysis to Product Leadership, Innovation Team and in-line stakeholders.
• Partner with Innovation Leadership team to prioritize research calendar in support of innovation pipeline initiatives.
• Build and manage innovation field testing and wear test sample plans.
• Manage physical and digital inventory of wear test samples.
• Collaborate in concept ideation process with Design, Development, Materials and PM teams.  
• Partner with Consumer Insights team to develop project scope, timeline and goals that inform front-end insights or back-end validation of innovation projects.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 5+years of experience and professional achievements. 

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or equivalent relevant experience
• 5+ years of experience in a product creation, insights or related role with focus on consumer goods.
• Proven working product knowledge including fabric, construction, and functionality.
• Deep understanding, participation and cultural fluency in snow sports, trail, and/or climb activities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and establish partnerships with external resources.
• Strong analytics expertise, with experience analyzing large datasets, identifying patterns and trends, and providing actionable insights that shape business decisions.
• Able to connect the dots—you synthesize insights from multiple sources and turn them into clear, compelling and actionable recommendations that drive business impact.
• Solid experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including surveys, focus groups, and concept testing—comfortable designing and executing studies from start to finish.
• Effective project and calendar management skills, including managing simultaneous timelines and deadlines.
• Excellent collaboration skills, including a proven ability to communicate with various levels of management and employees within the organization with clarity.
• High degree of agility and adaptability in abstract working environments.
• Growth mindset and enthusiasm for learning new tools and problem-solving.
• Location requirement: Must relocate to or live in Denver.

Hiring Range:

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.