Market & Business Insights Manager

The Market & Business Insights Manager is responsible for leveraging information and data to inform SME’s strategic plan, and drive revenue growth, product innovation, and business development. They possess a natural curiosity, unearthing insights that enable SME to address manufacturing market challenges and advance its mission. This role leads M&A research and collaborates internally to drive our strategic growth priorities forward. They facilitate discussions that drive business development efforts. This role will present insights to diverse audiences, from top leadership to implementation teams, tailoring actionable recommendations appropriately. As part of SME’s Strategy and Business Development team, the Market & Business Insights Manager will develop and refine processes for managing research and insights activities.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

• Lead SME’s centralized market & business intelligence/insights.
• Leads SME research efforts collaborating with SME staff and/or outside research firms.
  • Understands the questions to be answered and why to effectively scope projects.
  • Recommends appropriate research methods to achieve research objectives.
  • Leads project implementation, analysis, and synthesis of research findings, and provides actionable insights to stakeholders.
  • Leads a variety of formal and informal qualitative, quantitative, and secondary research projects.
  • Leads competitive intelligence research.
  • Manages multiple concurrent research projects.
• Leads research, analysis, and justification for potential M&A, equity investments, joint-ventures, alliances, licensing relationships, or divestiture opportunities.
• Leads the monitoring and dashboarding of SME’s strategic plan.
• Collaborates with IT and other internal business units to bridge data from various systems for whole of SME insights.
• Manages business intelligence platforms/subscriptions, configures news and insights feeds in response to business requirements, and facilitates utilization of the platform across the organization.
• Evaluates and recommends research tools, business intelligence resources, databases, competitive intelligence tools, etc., that enable insights and business development efforts.
• Research key market segments to identify and/or validate SME growth opportunities. This may include new industries, sector segments, sub-segments that result in new distribution channels, products/services, or partnerships.
• Monitor for macro changes and trends key sectors to continually identify risks and opportunities that impact SME’s businesses in the short- and long-term.
• Assess the current state of SME research efforts and drives cohesive research processes, methodologies, and programs across all of SME’s products and services.
• Identify and manage external vendors as projects warrant.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, statistics, economics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in market research, data analysis, or related roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple concurrent research projects.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in research software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of manufacturing or workforce development is a plus

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Market Research Proficiency
• Data Analysis and Insights Synthesis
• Business Development Acumen
• Strategic Thinking
• Project Management
• Communication and Presentation
• Innovation and Creative Thinking
• Leadership and Team Collaboration
• Adaptability to Shifting Priorities
• Business Plan Development

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal office environment.
• Regular, in-person attendance required.
• Primary office location: Southfield, MI.
• Travel required.

POSITION TITLE: Market & Business Insights Manager

Group: Strategy & Business Development

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SME is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants must live in the United States and legally be authorized to work there without sponsorship.