Market Research and Insights Manager

Job description / Role

Generating compelling customer insights, through reliable and effective market research is key to the success of the new GM.

MEO Market Research currently plays a critical role in providing vital information to the planning, marketing, sales, customer care, parts and other departments within GM.

The Market Research and Consumer Insights Manager should have an ability to translate consumer research information into definite action plans for the company and present key findings to GM leadership.

The main responsibilities will be working with research agencies to design, implement, monitor and gather insights from consumer research across GM Middle East operations, effectively communicating customer feedback to local, regional, and global stakeholders, and driving improved business results. Regular research studies include brand tracking, buyer behavior studies, satisfaction studies, communication research, product research, and ad hoc research as required.

Design, manage and deliver actionable results on:
- Brand Health Monitoring
- Target Audience Segmentation and related studies
- New Vehicle Buyer Studies
- Customer exploratory researches
- Communication pre/post tests
- Vehicle Pricing Research
- Any other ad hoc researches
- Planning

Design, manage and deliver actionable results on
- Product clinics
- Consumer Perceived Value/ product feature research
- Customer Experience

Support customer experience team on
- CSI (customer satisfaction) research and mystery shopping researches
- Addressing any ad hoc research requests from the CE team
- Supporting other functions (Sales/ After Sales, PR, Quality, Parts, etc.)

Support all other internal research needs for example
- Dealer Satisfaction with GM
- Spare parts price tracking
- Research on PR initiatives
- Quality surveys

Regional GMI
- Integration with GM International
- Coordinate and run regional studies in local market
- Ensure updating of all Key Performance Measures tracked by international operations
- Act as an integrated partner with the regional market research function to provide relevant consumer insights to the global organization
- Other tasks as deemed appropriate to accomplish the job requirements

Requirements

- 6-8 years at least of automotive industry experience.
- Preferably at least 2 years of experience in the Middle East, with knowledge of the Middle East market and the automotive industry
- Market Research related experience preferred,
- Marketing and Communication fundamentals
- Appreciation and understanding of market research methodology and basic statistics is a definite advantage
- He/she should be familiar with the automotive industry from an analysis point of view, with an understanding of key markets, including KSA, UAE and Kuwait.
- A technical understanding of research, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, will be a definite bonus. Best practices, standardized methodologies, and functional training will be provided by the research group in GM International (Singapore) and the Global Market Research department (Detroit).

Education:
- Undergraduate degree required in business, economics, or related field/MBA preferred.

Skills:
- Ability to translate consumer research information into definite action plans for the company and present key findings to GM leadership.
- Excellent project management skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Collaborative, working with diverse teams
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Accountability, ownership.
- Ability to identify critical insights from large amounts of customer data

Competencies:
- Action oriented
- Dealing with ambiguity
- Directing others (research suppliers/ partners)
- Collaborative (internal teams/ dealers), team player
- Strong ethics and values
- Quick thinking, ability to make fast decisions

About the Company

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM), one of the worlds largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GMs largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Russia. GMs OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.

With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM is headquartered in four major locations: GM Europe; North America (GMNA); South America; and GM International Operations (GMIO) is located in Shanghai, China. GMIO covers Asia Pacific and Middle East.

GM Middle East started in 1920s and the brands that are sold in the region are Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC supported by a unique set of customer-focused services. GM parts and accessories are sold under the GM Parts and ACDelco brands. The regional office in Dubai covers the companys operations in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen in 20 dealerships.

GM has 2 facilities here in Middle East one is in Dubai World Trade Centre and the other, Middle East Distribution Corporation, which is located in Jebel Ali.