Job Description
About Our Pack & Design Practice
Our Pack & Design practice helps brands create packaging and design that truly works in the real world. By combining behavioural science, advanced analytics, and deep category expertise, we evaluate how packaging performs across the full shopper journey — from initial attention at shelf to final purchase decision.
Our solutions integrate conscious and non-conscious measures, including survey-based research, eye-tracking, and neuro-based techniques, to uncover not just what works, but why it works. This enables our clients to optimise design systems, refine creative assets, and make confident decisions about packaging changes with a clear link to in-market impact.
We partner with leading consumer brands globally, supporting everything from early-stage design exploration to final pack validation and launch readiness. Our Pack & Design solutions are modular and scalable, allowing us to tailor approaches to different business needs, risk levels, and markets.
About the Role
We are looking for an Associate Manager, Pack & Design to join our practice. This role is ideal for an experienced insights professional who enjoys managing projects end to end, turning complex research into clear stories, and partnering with clients to solve real business challenges.
As an Associate Manager, you will lead the delivery of packaging and design research studies, ensuring high-quality, timely, and actionable outputs. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, coach junior colleagues, and act as a trusted day-to-day client partner on standardised Pack & Design solutions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Leadership
- Manage Pack & Design research projects from kickoff through final delivery, owning timelines, scope, and quality.
- Anticipate risks and challenges, proactively addressing issues and escalating when senior input is required.
- Coordinate with cross-functional partners to ensure studies are delivered according to agreed objectives and timelines.
- Guide junior team members on study setup, inputs, and execution as appropriate.
- Maintain clear and accurate project documentation and tracking.
Analysis, Insights & Storytelling
- Take overall accountability for the quality and success of client deliverables.
- Review and refine analyses, ensuring insights are robust, relevant, and clearly linked to client business questions.
- Demonstrate basic commercial acumen, including understanding how pack and design insights support brand growth, conversion, and return on investment.
- Develop client-ready reports and presentations with a strong narrative, clear visuals, and actionable recommendations.
- Translate complex findings into simple, compelling stories for client audiences.
- Present results to clients independently on standard engagements, partnering with senior leaders on more complex projects.
Client Partnership
- Act as a primary day-to-day contact for clients, brands, or categories within larger accounts.
- Build strong working relationships through clear communication, responsiveness, and a consultative mindset.
- Ensure research solutions are aligned with broader brand, packaging, and design objectives.
- Contribute to proposal development or pre-sales discussions for standardized Pack & Design solutions.
Coaching & Team Contribution
- Coach and develop junior analysts, providing regular feedback and supporting their professional growth.
- Lead by example in quality, collaboration, and client focus.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing, process improvement, and team engagement initiatives within the Pack & Design practice.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience & Background
- 4–6 years of experience in marketing research, consumer insights, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience with packaging, design, or creative effectiveness research.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver high-quality outputs.
- Experience working directly with clients and presenting insights.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable insights.
- High-quality written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and storytelling.
- Coaching mindset with the ability to develop more junior team members.
- Client-oriented, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
- Comfortable working in a collaborative, digital, and cross-functional environment.
Knowledge
- Solid understanding of marketing research principles and methodologies.
- Understanding of consumer decision-making, branding, and visual communication as applied to packaging and design.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience in or exposure to the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector is a strong advantage.
Nice to Have
- Experience with visual or qualitative methods (e.g., semiotics, design diagnostics, or qual–quant integration).
- Exposure to agile or iterative testing approaches for packaging and design development.
Education
University degree in Marketing, Psychology, Business, Economics, Design Research, or a related discipline.
#LI-Hybrid
Qualifications
Additional Information
Our Benefits
- Flexible working environment
- Volunteer time off
- LinkedIn Learning
- Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)
NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.
About NIQ
NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.
For more information, visit NIQ.com
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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion
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