ABOUT THE JOB
Danone is seeking a UX (User Experience) Manager within Research & Innovation (R&I) to lead consumer and sensory strategy for its plant-based food and beverage portfolio in the United States, based in Louisville, CO.
The UX Manager will own and shape the consumer and sensory research agenda: leading advanced category insights and translating consumer understanding into winning innovations & design strategies. This role requires strong strategic thinking, technical depth, and the ability to influence across functions and levels.
Key Responsibilities
Category & Consumer Understanding
• Lead advanced category understanding (ethnography, usage/user journey, market analysis) to identify emerging consumer needs and whitespace opportunities.
• Facilitate early-stage consumer-embedded research to develop product, claims and packaging ideas via rapid, iterative prototyping (e.g. design thinking or co-creation).
• Lead competitive understanding for the plant-based category from a consumer & sensory lens, identifying trend, ingredient and product insights that strengthen pipelines and innovation positioning.
• Lead a quantitative research program that guides development and validates the superiority of innovations and renovations, using advanced research methods (preference modeling, external preference mapping, DOE) to understand category drivers of liking and benefit cues.
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling guidance for strategic decision-making.
• Identify consumer perception claim opportunities and work cross-functionally with marketing, insights and legal to develop and execute strategic claims support.
Leadership & Influence
• Act as a trusted partner to research & innovation, insights, marketing and global UX teams, to develop fully aligned and integrated research plans.
• Influence key stakeholders around shared consumer and product truths, driving decisions on pipeline, points of difference and product design features.
• Champion consumer-led and data-based decision making in the US organization, utilizing emerging AI tools as a key enabler for future growth.
What Success Looks Like
• Recognized as a go-to expert in Danone's plant-based consumers, championing an outside-in mindset.
• Influence the strategic direction of the plant-based business with understanding of unmet needs and emerging trends.
• Deliver insights that strengthen product taste while enhancing the nutritional profile of products.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $118,000–169,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and a benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, 401(k), wellness program, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, flexible time off and paid parental bonding leave.
More information
Location: Louisville, Colorado, United States. This is a hybrid role — regular in-office collaboration (at least 3 days/week) with Danone Hubs is expected.
