Consumer and Operations Research Analyst

CORAs own the analytics at Halverson Group. Their expertise in research design, data management, statistics, and analytics bring insights to life for leaders at our retail, brand, and agency clients.

Halverson Group is a research, analytics, and strategy firm specializing in keeping customers on the Path to Purchase. Our solutions help many of the world’s most celebrated retailers reexamine, rethink, and redesign their channels and touch points to stimulate traffic, maximize sales, and cultivate deep customer loyalty.

Overview 

CORAs own the analytics at Halverson Group. Their expertise in research design, data management, statistics, and analytics bring insights to life for leaders at our retail, brand, and agency clients. From multi-million case archival and POS data sets to step-by-step shopper path tracking observations, from global employee surveys deployed in 20 languages to second-by-second eye-tracking data, there is never a shortage of exciting, custom studies to design and data to mine for the next big idea.

Principal Accountabilities

Principle accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
Research Design 

  • Working collaboratively with Project Lead, designs research studies including data collection techniques and technologies, design of experiments, and sampling methodologies
  • Working independently or together with a Project Lead, develops project proposals including project objectives, deliverables, approach, fees, timeline, and assumptions for select projects
  • Develops detailed protocols for field research methods (e.g., customer intercepts, shop-alongs, ethnographic observation)
  • Works with the Operations Research Team to ensure all internal or contract field researchers are trained on research protocols prior to field deployment
Analytics 

  • Develops analysis plans for qualitative and quantitative research studies (e.g., identifies appropriate descriptive and/or inferential methods, outlines analytic steps and relevant cuts of the data)
  • Cleans, preps, and conducts quality assurance tests of data gathered by field researchers or provided by clients
  • Conducts quantitative analyses of research data using SPSS, including descriptive, correlational, and multivariate analyses
  • Conducts qualitative analysis of research data, including classification and theme analysis
  • Co-leads internal project team meetings with Project Lead and field researchers to review analytic results and develop “the story”
  • Develops Microsoft Excel-based models to support internal or client-side analysis and decision making
  • Stays abreast of new analytic methods and technologies and supports development of these new capabilities internally

Data Collection and Management

  • Drafts and programs sophisticated and user-friendly online surveys
  • Conducts in-person or virtual interviews and focus groups in the field (in retail establishments) or on-site at clients’ corporate offices
  • Facilitates eyetracking research studies in the field or on-site at clients’ testing facilities
  • Coordinates directly with client contacts for efficient transfer of existing client data (e.g., contracting on data file type, structure, and size; details of file contents; method of transfer)
  • Develops data management plans for research projects (e.g., data storage, archiving, version control, etc.)
Reporting and Deliverables 

  • Works collaboratively with the Project Lead and Design Director to develop clear, compelling reports of analytic results and insights
  • Together with the  Project Lead, presents analytic findings and recommendations to the client virtually or in-person

Position Requirements

  • Completion of or working toward completion of M.A/Ph.D. in social sciences or retail and consumer sciences (e.g., Industrial/Organizational (preferred), Cognitive, Experimental or Social Psychology, Consumer Studies) or specialized business area (e.g. Marketing, Operations Research, or Innovation)
  • 1-3 years of applied experience
  • Hands-on data management and data analysis experience, including database building, data mining, and multivariate analysis; predictive modeling techniques a plus
  • Experience with varied qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, as well as sampling methodologies and design of experiments
  • Experience with current statistical analysis packages (SPSS expertise required, working knowledge of Microsoft Excel required, working knowledge of JMP a plus)
  • Comfort working on-site in a fast-paced, team environment and with clients and customers in the field
  • Prior eyetracking experience not required – training will be provided for eyetracking technologies and methodologies
  • While this position does not frequently travel, periodic travel may be required based on project needs.

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Oak Park, IL. Relocations packages are not offered for this position.

 

Our success in delivering the best insights to our clients relies on a carefully assembled team of cross-functional talent, including social scientists, marketing leaders, data analysts, organizational ethnographers, and information designers. Our unique proposition is our holistic expertise in measurement of all the key elements of retail, service, and brand success—marketing initiatives, store layout and design, employee behavior, operational execution, and the consumer experience. It is through our connection of these key elements that we bring data-based insights and solution recommendations that help our clients compete at a new level.