Market Research Operations Specialist

Balsam Brands is a global, omnichannel retailer specializing in holiday and home décor. The Market Research Operations Specialist will support the Consumer Insights team by coordinating research projects, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring data integrity throughout the research process. Responsibilities Coordinate the scheduling of multiple research projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timelines are met Manage vendor relationships including: contract and payment coordination and communication Develop and maintain project documentation, such as contracts, timelines, budgets, and status reports, to keep internal stakeholders informed Oversee management and monitoring of recruitment logistics from both internal and external panels to ensure diverse and representative participant samples Ensure data integrity and PII standards are integrated into the process across all research projects by maintaining high-quality standards for data handling Work closely with the Consumer Insights team to operationalize and organize research studies, including basic survey programming, participant recruitment, and data collection Supporting specific phases of the project process: survey programming, monitoring data collection, data pulling/preliminary analysis (charts, open-end analyses, etc.) and reporting (updating templatized slides, dashboards, etc.) Secondary research (AI tools, referencing different online sources, etc.) Serve as the internal scheduling bridge between the CI research team and cross-functional departments, such as Marketing, Creative, Merchandising, Operations, Digital, and Customer Service to manage research assets and project flow Provide logistical support for internal and external workshops, focus groups, and testing sessions, including scheduling, materials preparation, and technology setup Clearly communicate project updates and status to key stakeholders Manage and update the CI library of programs, projects, and insights to ensure easy access across the organization Identify opportunities to streamline research processes and implement tools or frameworks to improve efficiency Maintain and update a repository of research templates, guidelines, and best practices Monitor industry trends and emerging tools in research operations to keep the team running efficiently and effectively Skills Strong proactive project management with experience managing multiple projects simultaneously 1-2 years of experience in Market Research, Consumer Insights, or a related field, with exposure to both quantitative and qualitative methodologies Baseline proficiency with project management and research tools and platforms (e.g., survey software and project management platforms) Excellent organizational skills, with a keen eye for detail and ability to manage complex logistics Strong verbal and written communication skills, including translating timeline and process details and clearly communicate to internal stakeholders Knowledge of basic project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Figma, Confluence) Curious and passionate about understanding consumer behavior and improving customer experiences Familiarity with CI and UX quantitative and qualitative research methodologies Base-level experience with research platforms Basic statistical analysis skills a plus A background or coursework in psychology, sociology, business, or a related field is preferred A self-starter with a collaborative approach to problem-solving Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Demonstrated AI literacy, enabling effective understanding, interaction, and critical evaluation of AI technologies and applications across diverse business functions Benefits Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, with 100% of monthly premiums covered for team members, and 85%+ employer-paid premiums for other coverage tiers that include dependents Up to $2,000 annual funding toward HSA accounts Medical, transit, dependent care FSA Infertility coverage offered on all medical plans Generous parental leave program and flexible return options Company-paid life and AD&D insurance Company-paid short and long-term disability insurance 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar company match up to $4,000 per calendar year Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other mental health and wellness perks Paid holidays, annual shutdown week, PTO, and volunteer time-off (VTO) packages Paid 5-week sabbatical leave after 10 years of employment Annual continuous learning benefit up to $1,000 per person, per fiscal year Up to $300 flexible reimbursement to support setup of new team member's work-from-home environment Generous team member merchandise discount Valuable extras: identity theft protection, subsidized parking, monthly wellness, pet insurance, accident & critical illness insurance Company Overview Balsam Brands is a multi-brand E-Commerce retailer with roots in holiday and home décor. It was founded in 2006, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is Company H1B Sponsorship Balsam Brands has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 3 in 2025, 3 in 2024, 3 in 2023, 4 in 2022, 6 in 2021, 4 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.