The ideal candidate will ensures that projects are completed accurately and that project timelines are met. Responsibilities 10% Leadership and Management Lead all aspects of the consumer insights and market research. Manages with excellence, utilizes resources efficiently, and develops talent. Influences marketing and builds the innovation strategy and tactics to achieve sales and marketing objectives. Assist with the production and monitoring of an annual budget. Prepare specific innovation and research budgets, manage to ensure funds are appropriately spent. 40% Top of Funnel Innovation Lead the process of reviewing internal and external research to uncover category insights related to consumer unmet needs and desires. Lead research process for filling knowledge gaps related to innovation activities. Lead open-innovation projects and NPD process to bring new-to-world products to market. Partner with Marketing and R&E to assess adjacent categories, competitive offering, existing and emerging technologies and translate those into new product ideas/concepts. Recruit for and lead ideation sessions Partner with marketing and new product development to validate ideation and substantiate business opportunity with fact-based insights. Write and validate new product concepts 40% Consumer Insights Identify and close knowledge gaps related to market, shopper, consumer and competitive behaviors. Lead full range of quantitative and qualitative projects in (e.g., innovation, concept testing, HUTs, discrete choice, pricing elasticity, conjoint, ethnography, focus groups etc.) utilizing both internal and external resources. Develop expert panel of influencers and contributors from core market segments. Connect consumer insights with behavior/POS data to help build objective selling stories. 10% Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in marketing, market research, business or other related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience enough to perform the position functions of the job. Five or more years of research, insights, marketing, innovation or other related experience. Previous experience managing global projects. Passion for voice of customer (VOC) and data driven decision making. Three or more years of progressive leadership and management experience. At least 2 years of experience in front end insights gathering for innovation Ability to understand and comply with the Mueller Quality System and current regulatory requirements. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with CPG or durable goods, products and/or brands. Medical device experience. Experience in working with Customer's Market Research Tools to uncover insights Required Skills Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies. Makes sound decisions based on analysis, discussion, experience and judgment. Strategic thinker with bias for creative problem solving, coming up with new methodologies, and extracting actionable implications. Ability to impact both short and long-term goals. Demonstrated team player with active participation in meetings. Selects, evaluates, and engages team members. Strong planning and project management skills. Strong ability to transition efficiently from working independently to working collaboratively. Anticipates emerging and future trends accurately based on broad knowledge and perspective. Expertise in written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate at all levels of the organization and consumers. Communicate a vision and providing motivation and direction to team members. Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance multiple priorities. Advanced use of Microsoft products, including Word, Outlook and Excel, and related industry applications. Prior experience with inventory management systems and SAP, preferred. Creates focus and eliminates roadblocks for team members. Develops and manages a budget. Valid driver's license. Valid government issued Passport. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the team member is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills; ability to stand or sit, bend or stoop, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light weights of up to 20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate office equipment and read. The team member frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Position requires frequent typing. Position requires regular business travel, including operation of a motor vehicle and international travel.