Senior Director, Technical Consumer Data Research

Requirements

• Bachelor's or PhD

Additional Information

Job Description Summary: Our Technical Consumer Data Research (TCDR) insights are foundational to building a robust, multi‑year global innovation pipeline spanning Defend the Core, Present Forward, and Future Back initiatives. The Senior Director, Technical Consumer Data Research (APAC) is accountable for leading sensory and consumer research strategy across the APAC region, spanning multiple categories and Operating Units (JSK, ASP, GCM, INSWA). The role directs regional TCDR resources, integrates Global TCDR capabilities, and translates consumer insights into technical understanding and actionable product, package, and equipment solutions for regional launches. This role plays a critical leadership position in advancing a 3-5-year innovation pipeline, while accelerating adoption of digitized, AI‑enabled and predictive research methodologies to drive faster, more future‑ready decision making. The Senior Director leads a diverse, high‑performing regional team and serves as a key member of the Global TCDR Leadership Team. Role Scope & Impact: Own APAC TCDR strategy across categories and Operating Units Influence innovation direction from early exploration through commercialization Lead transformation toward digitized, AI‑driven consumer research Develop regional talent and capabilities aligned to global standards Shape business‑critical innovation decisions through technical consumer insight What You'll Do for Us: 1. APAC TCDR Strategy & Innovation Leadership Define and execute the APAC TCDR strategy to enable 3-5 year innovation pipelines across categories and Operating Units. Lead discovery of emerging consumer trends, behaviors, and unmet needs , translating insights into technical attributes and solution hypotheses. Partner with Category, Marketing, Human Insights, and GDI leadership to align multi‑year pipeline needs, priorities, and success metrics. Ensure consumer‑centric insights are embedded into innovation portfolios to deliver advantaged, future‑proof solutions . 2. End‑to‑End Consumer Learning & Sensory Leadership Direct development and deployment of technical consumer learning plans across innovation, renovation, core, and business continuity projects. Oversee internal and external sensory panels , ensuring scientific rigor and regional relevance. Embed cross‑functional frameworks (e.g., need states, demand spaces, BEACH) into learning plans to enable streamlined, global‑ready research execution. Monitor external environments to identify category and country‑specific opportunities and risks. 3. Digitization & Advanced Analytics Lead adoption of digitization and data science capabilities from Global TCDR, accelerating AI‑enabled, predictive, and forecast‑driven insights, regionally. Advance Gen‑AI and machine‑learning applications within consumer research, ensuring appropriate risk, safety, and compliance standards. Shape future‑state consumer research practices through external partnerships, networks, and emerging technologies. 4. Global TCDR Capability Integration Act as APAC representative on the Global TCDR Leadership Team , ensuring regional priorities are aligned with global methodologies and standards. Drive local adoption of standardized global best practices while allowing for market‑specific flexibility. Lead training, upskilling, and storytelling capability development for regional TCDR teams using global playbooks and tools. 5. People, Resource & Financial Leadership Lead and develop a highly engaged, diverse, and geographically distributed APAC TCDR team . Manage regional TCDR and DMI budgets, including forecasting, actuals tracking, and alignment with annual business plans. Build a strong succession pipeline and actively develop subject‑matter expertise across the organization. 6. Stakeholder & System Leadership Build trusted partnerships across Operating Units, Global Categories, Marketing, GDI, Operations, Bottlers, and external partners. Influence senior stakeholders through clear, evidence‑based insights and technical recommendations . Establish dashboards, timelines, and scorecards to ensure visibility, transparency, and proactive risk management. Key Success Measures Strength and quality of 3-5-year innovation pipelines Speed and effectiveness of consumer and data‑led decision making Adoption of digitized and AI‑enabled research methodologies Talent capability growth and engagement Stakeholder confidence and influence at senior levels Knowledge & Capability Requirements Deep expertise in human‑centric consumer insights, sensory science, statistics, and advanced analytics Strong understanding of data science, machine learning, and generative AI applications Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives in complex, matrixed environments Track record of leading regional and global teams with an agile, future‑focused mindset Exceptional stakeholder management and systems‑thinking capability