📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Growth Consulting
🔹 Company: SPINS
🔹 Location: Chicago, IL
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (Chicago or Remote)
🔹 Category: Market Research & Consulting
🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote with Chicago office presence)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading innovation projects within SPINS' Growth Consulting practice
- Supporting sales and business development efforts
- Delivering strategic analyses and insights based on SPINS' data assets
- Managing and mentoring team members
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive growth for SPINS' clients
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, project management, and client relationship skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in CPG/Retail strategy, market research, and innovation growth strategies.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute growth strategies for SPINS' biggest clients
✅ Lead innovation projects, including whitespace identification, new product concept testing, and market entry strategies
✅ Support sales and business development efforts by creating new offerings and applications
✅ Deliver strategic analyses and insights based on SPINS' data assets, including retail point of sale, consumer panel, and consumer survey data
✅ Manage and mentor team members, ensuring projects are delivered successfully and within budget
✅ Serve on the Client Growth Solutions leadership team, contributing to broader organizational initiatives and strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the CPG and Retail industries, as well as the ability to translate complex data and analyses into actionable insights.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 8+ years of CPG/Retail strategy experience from a CPG company, Retail company, Consulting firm, or Market research firm, with several projects in CPG and/or Retail industry and Market Research & Innovation growth strategies
Required Skills:
- Proven history of achieving measurable business results through consulting clients and improving internal processes
- Strong project leadership skills, including managing the work of 2-4 other Analysts/Manager when required
- Excellent client management and communication skills, with the ability to present to senior executives
- Initiative, creativity, and a passion to deliver results that make a difference to clients
- Self-starter with strong intellectual curiosity
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with managing work of 2-4 other Analysts/Manager
- Immediately join as a senior team management role, managing 2 or more team members
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a proven track record in growth consulting, market research, and CPG/Retail strategy are most likely to succeed in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $130,000 - $145,000 per year + Bonus Eligible
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off
- Volunteer Time
- Charitable Donation Matching
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with up to 10% of workdays spent on client travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in Market Research & Consulting. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Market Research, focusing on the Natural, Organic, and Specialty Products industry
Company Size: 201-500 employees (Mid-sized)
Founded: 1995, with over 20 years of experience in the industry
Company Description:
- SPINS is the leading wellness-focused growth and innovation platform for the Natural Products industry.
- The company provides retail consumer insights, analytics, and consulting services to help clients increase their share of the growing values-based consumer market.
- SPINS' data is the most comprehensive and accurate in the industry, allowing clients to power AI models and machine learning algorithms.
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Packaged Goods Information and Consulting
- Food Industry Expertise
- Information Technology
- Market Research
- Big Data Analytics
- Data Technology
- Health and Wellness
Company Website: http://www.spins.com
ASSUMPTION: SPINS is a well-established company in the Market Research industry, with a strong focus on the Natural Products industry. The company's size and experience make it an attractive option for candidates looking to grow their careers in the field.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Director-level role, reporting to the VP of SPINS Brand Growth Solutions
Reporting Structure: The Director will oversee the delivery of strategic analyses and lead other Manager and/or Analyst-level employees
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Remote with Chicago office presence), with up to 10% of workdays spent on client travel
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead broader organizational initiatives and strategies
- Opportunity to develop and elevate the skills of the consulting team
- Possibility to expand the scope of the Growth Consulting practice
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to lead strategic initiatives and develop the skills of the consulting team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Remote with Chicago office presence)
Office Location(s): 311 W Huron St, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60654, US
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major city with a diverse economy and a strong job market
- The Natural Products industry is well-represented in Chicago, with many companies and organizations based in the city
- Chicago offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and music venues
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible work arrangements available
ASSUMPTION: Chicago is a dynamic and exciting city, with a strong job market and a vibrant cultural scene. The hybrid work arrangement offers candidates the flexibility to balance work and personal responsibilities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with the VP of SPINS Brand Growth Solutions
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Project management and leadership skills
- Client management and communication skills
- Industry knowledge and expertise
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in CPG/Retail strategy, market research, and innovation growth strategies
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and industry knowledge
ATS Keywords: Growth Consulting, Innovation Strategies, Project Leadership, Client Management, Data Analysis, Market Research, Communication Skills, Team Management, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Presentation Skills, Strategic Analysis, Consumer Insights, Business Development, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills, Organizational Skills
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and industry knowledge. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and provide examples of their accomplishments in these areas.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with data analysis and visualization tools, as well as project management and communication tools. Familiarity with industry-specific tools and technologies may also be beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Vibrant: Passionate about doing meaningful, impactful work
- Disruptor: Not afraid to do things differently
- Connected: Works well as part of a team and builds strong relationships with colleagues
- Be Yourself: Open and honest with each other; takes responsibility for actions and work
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Leaves egos at the door and believes that working together produces an outcome greater than individual contributions
- Direct: Communicates with clarity, honesty, and respect in all situations
- Determined: Committed to overcoming all obstacles to achieve results and adapt to change
- Passionate: Goes above and beyond to help partners achieve their goals and challenges assumptions
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with SPINS' values, particularly "Vibrant" and "Disruptor"?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid environment, with a balance of remote and in-office work?
- How do you approach challenging assumptions and forging new paths in your work?
ASSUMPTION: SPINS values a vibrant, collaborative, and determined work environment. Candidates should be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and be able to demonstrate their alignment with the company's values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing remote work and in-office presence effectively
- Developing and implementing new growth strategies for clients
- Adapting to changes in the market and industry trends
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively, balance remote work and in-office presence, and adapt to changes in the market and industry trends.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on growth consulting and innovation strategies within the Natural Products industry
- Industry-specific context: The Natural Products industry is well-established and growing, with a strong focus on wellness, sustainability, and social responsibility
- Career path comparison: This role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to lead strategic initiatives and develop the skills of the consulting team
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on growth consulting and innovation strategies within the Natural Products industry. Candidates should be aware of the industry-specific context and the career path opportunities available.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a market entry strategy for a new product launch in the Natural Products industry
- Conducting consumer research to identify whitespace opportunities for an existing brand
- Creating a comprehensive growth strategy for a retail client, including category management, merchandising, and marketing initiatives
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the types of growth consulting and innovation strategies that the Director, Growth Consulting will be responsible for developing and implementing.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest growth opportunities for SPINS' clients in the Natural Products industry?
- How does the Growth Consulting team collaborate with other departments within SPINS?
- What is the company's approach to professional development and growth for employees in this role?
- How does SPINS support work-life balance for employees in this hybrid role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions will help candidates better understand the role's responsibilities, the company's culture, and the growth opportunities available.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in CPG/Retail strategy, market research, and innovation growth strategies
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and industry knowledge
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
