A global food manufacturer recognized a critical gap in its organization: despite being deeply focused on consumers, the company lacked a dedicated Consumer Insights function.
Marketing leadership knew they needed a stronger connection to the voice of the consumer, not only to improve decision-making, but also to demonstrate to senior leadership the strategic value that Insights expertise could bring to the business.
The challenge was to find the right solution without committing to a traditional full-time hire before proving the function’s impact. The organization needed an experienced Insights leader who could immediately step in, guide strategy through the voice of the consumer, influence leadership, and operate effectively within a fast-moving environment.
“It was clear to me as CMO that we needed to elevate our consumer touchpoints and get the insights function established but I didn’t have the headcount to do it. It was a real opportunity to bring it in and prove out the capabilities of consumer insights and at the same time, I was going to get the best talent at the right time.”
– Chief Marketing Officer, CPG Food Manufacturer
This engagement required far more than technical market research expertise.
The company needed a senior-level insights consultant who could confidently partner with executive leadership, navigate ambiguity, and establish credibility across a cross-functional organization. The ideal professional would not only deliver consumer research learning, but transform insights into strategic business action.
SIVO placed an experienced Senior Insights Director consultant who immediately became a trusted strategic partner to the marketing organization.
From day one, she brought structure, leadership, and a consumer-first perspective to the business. Through comprehensive market research, strategic frameworks, and cross-functional collaboration, she helped elevate the role of consumer insights from a supporting function to a core strategic capability.
Her work included:
The impact was immediate, and measurable.
The consultant quickly became the organization’s go-to insights leader, helping shape both marketing and broader business strategies. By consistently demonstrating the value of consumer-driven decision-making, she helped the marketing team build a compelling case for embedding Insights as a permanent strategic capability within the organization.
What began as a flexible, low-risk engagement evolved into a long-term partnership, ultimately extending into a successful three-year contract.
Most importantly, the organization gained more than research support, it gained a strategic voice for the consumer at the leadership table.
