Job Description

Principia is a marketing consulting firm in building materials, home improvement and construction chemicals. We are headquartered in Malvern (Philadelphia area), PA. Principia delivers value for its clients by leveraging voice of customer research and channel access within our our focused verticals to achieve a high rate of client success. Our work produces actionable results for our clients who are typically Fortune 1000 companies seeking to grow revenue, market share and profit margin.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Market Research Associate is a key role within the organization with responsibility for assisting in the development and implementation of Principia’s primary and secondary research efforts for consulting engagements, syndicated data products and industry reports. In addition to assisting with research and survey management, the role includes obtaining competitive intelligence through outbound phone calls, while contributing to final reporting and client deliverables. The Market Research Associate’s objective is to assist the VP of Research and Consulting Professionals wherever needed during the research function, from inception to completion, resulting with the desired actionable insights for our clients. This full-time, permanent position reports to directly to the VP of Research.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, design, and program quantitative and qualitative research questionnaires, both consumer and business-to-business.
• Conduct outbound primary research calls for the purposes of collecting competitive intelligence.
• Thorough testing of all research vehicles prior to launch to insure smooth implementation into the field.
• Sample design and procurement.
• Supporting the function of our Consulting Professionals by providing secondary research support through publicly-available web canvassing to capture manufacturer revenue data, annual reports, pricing data, and plant location openings/closings. In addition, collection of industry data, including housing and commercial building statistics, pricing information, other category trend data will be required.
• Developing and/or maintaining research vendor relationships (list suppliers, call centers, online panels, specialized outside consultants).
• Proactively and collaboratively work with Principia’s delivery team to fine-tune survey results to ensure most impactful and meaningful statistics are reported and communicated.
• Meet and communicate with clients the findings of Principia’s research.
• Provide input and leadership in constantly and continually improving the research process.
• Other tasks as assigned by VP of Research including survey analysis, research and consulting report writing etc.

SKILLS:

The position requires and demands a true team player and open communicator, as the Market Research Associate provides necessary and invaluable support for their team members, and team members cannot effectively do their jobs without the Market Research Associate. Specific skills required include:

• Thorough understanding of primary market research function, with an emphasis on detailed questionnaire design incorporating complex skip and piping logic.
• Comfort and confidence making cold, outbound phone calls to obtain necessary information from industry executives and/or participants.
• Ability to foresee how survey results will be analyzed during the questionnaire design process to assist analysts after fielding.
• Survey programming (knowledge of Qualtrics a plus, but not a requirement).
• Understanding differences of available research vehicles (telephone, online, etc.) to develop effective instruments for the audience being targeted.
• Must be a very fast responder to ensure any small problems during the research process do not become large ones.
• Ability to seek out new vendors that fit well with the firm’s needs.
• Excellent writing skills. In addition to being able to communicate correctly and effectively, in writing, with team members and clients alike, written input for final client deliverables is required.
• Must have a natural and thorough curiosity for ferreting out publicly-available industry and manufacturer data to contribute to our reporting, while remaining continually up-to-date on said data.

SUCCESS CRITERIA:

Performance will be measured on the work of the research process being completed successfully and delivering on the research’s initial stated goals. A focus on the continued improvement of the research process will also be factored. Success criteria includes:

• Consistently deliver polished questionnaire drafts ready for VP of Research and/or team member input that incorporate program objectives.
• Program and test, questionnaires to be error-free at the time of VP of Research review.
• Required outbound primary research calls completed as requested in both quantity and quality.
• Comprehensively provide the publicly-available industry and manufacturer data to limit the Industry Analyst’s need to gather this information themselves.
• Report writing of final deliverables are consistently on-point, error-free, and need limited editing or proof-reading.
• Improve standardized research processes/methodologies by benchmarking effectiveness of past surveys (questions or data points used/not used).
• Broaden research vendor resources.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, market research, or related field.
• At least two years of client-side or supplier-side, primary market research experience, including both consumer and business-to-business audiences.
• At least two years of market research questionnaire design experience.
• At least two years of client interaction experience, either as a market research professional, consultant, project manager, executive, etc.
• Example of excellent business writing skills or client deliverables.
• A collaborative approach to working with others and the ability to work effectively with a variety of personality styles.
• Contribute to multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office Suite (specifically PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) and any survey software platform (Qualtrics a plus, not a requirement).

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary; Insurance (health, vision, and dental); 401K, 15 vacation days, Bonus program
• Location flexible

Company Description

Principia is expert in navigating the market complexities of the building materials and construction industry. We understand the relevant business issues and industry dynamics across the value chain. Qualitative Analysis Our market access, whether large-scale surveys or in-depth interviews, enables us to capture the true voice of the customer. Quantitative Analysis We accurately quantify the market situation, build a roadmap to reach customers and determine how to manage the risk-reward when making key decisions. Our Purpose We help companies grow faster and more profitable by providing high quality data, analytics, and insights. Core Values Our team is committed to living the Principia core values: Value - Provide exceptional value for our clients Teamwork - Effective and efficient collaboration Respect - Treat others with respect and fairness Integrity - Be loyal, honest and act with integrity at all times Accountability - Be accountable to meet our commitments