Consumer Insights Specialist- Small Appliances - Midea America Corp

Midea America Corp., is one of the world’s largest home appliance brands, offering the most comprehensive selection of products in the world to fully serve the needs of day-to-day living at home, at work, or anywhere else you go. In North America we strive to aim high, put the customer first, transform and innovate the marketplace, utilizing our commitment, dedication, inclusion, and partnership with our teams. Midea America is a subsidiary of the Midea Group, a global company with over 150,000 employees and operations in more than 195 countries. As a publicly listed company, we are ranked #245 as a Fortune Global 500 company and offer one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry.

The Consumer Research Specialist will be responsible for the direction of the following products.

• Countertop Cooking Appliances
• Countertop motor driven Appliances
• Countertop Beverage Appliances
• Countertop Induction Cooktops
• Portable Heater and Fans
• Humidifiers
• Air Purifiers

The Consumer Research Specialist is a key member of the R&D Small Appliance Team in the US, participating in the decision-making of major R&D programs and issues, fueling the innovation pipelines, and systematically solving key marketplace problems and difficulties encountered in the execution of projects.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Job Summary

• Co-develop the innovation strategies for SDA US Division in close communication with R&D leadership and Business leadership with an entrepreneurial and futurologist mindset towards the business direction and success.
• Cultivate an NPD strategy and mindset with a strong sense of curiosity and courageousness to seek out disruptive paths to success.
• Build and establish external research and technology partnerships with agencies, academia, institutes, suppliers, and innovators to fuel the R&D programs and pipelines for the US business.
• Design, initiate, and lead research projects to deliver new consumer insights and technology trends for next generation products for the US domestic market.
• Responsible for understanding the market and VOC in the early stages of the NPD process, monitor and review progress and quality management.
• Provide strategic advice and decision making to SDA Division for the NPD team in the US.
• Cross cooperation and team development within the CMI international matrix organization.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years Consumer Insights and Innovation experience in technology, home appliance, CE, Ecommerce, or related industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial design or engineering preferred.
• Domestic and international experience and multi-cultural mindset is preferred.
• Experience working with remote product development teams is preferred.
• Experience of translating consumer insights into product innovation.
• Experience working on the successful execution of complex projects.
• Experience working in teams. Leading and coaching skills preferred.
• Excellent communication, motivation, and coordination skills.
• Goal oriented and self-managed personality with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
• Strong problem solving and risk management skills.

Domestic and international travel may be required.

Midea America Corp is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.