Manager, Consumer Insights

• $95,000 - $105,000 base salary range + annual bonus potential!
• 100% remote in the United States

Job Title: Manager, Consumer Insights

Department/Function: Marketing

Location: Support Center (Full Remote)

Reports to: Director, Consumer Insights & Innovation

Job Band: Manager

Full-Time Exempt

Travel Requirements: Rarely

Summary

The Manager, Consumer Insights will lead research that elevates the voice of the consumer within the organization, as well as ensure process excellence around product innovation research in partnership with Potbelly's cross functional teams.

This role will be responsible for synthesizing customer feedback across various sources (e.g. survey data, syndicated data, social, primary research, industry reports, etc.). This role is expected to provide leadership and insightful, deep data mining around Potbelly's brand tracking study, customer satisfaction survey, and competitive intelligence platforms, as well as research project leadership from inception to launch for new product innovation and core menu item renovations/optimizations. This position reports to the Director, Consumers Insights & Innovation and works closely with Potbelly cross-functional teams.

Potbelly looks for creative, innovative and results oriented individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment. Our marketing professionals need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and an ability to flex to changing needs. Our marketers are team players, comfortable with ambiguity and passionate about delivering results. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are paramount for the position. The position will require cross-functional interaction and will give broad exposure to aspects of a growing business.

Responsibilities

Job Duties & Function

• Lead and behave according to the Potbelly Values and uphold the Potbelly Advantage.
• Support the organization's consumer learning agenda across multiple teams
• Manage all aspects of research projects, from design, questionnaire, analytics, and reporting
• Leverage the appropriate research techniques to support a variety of disciplines, including Brand Tracking, Customer Satisfaction, Competitive Intelligence, Brand Development, Culinary Development and more
• Effectively manage and leverage vendor relationships and external research partners as needed to achieve insights goals
• Think and act with a broader business lens, delivering actionable consumer insights to inspire growth across the organization
• Inspire change through actionable storytelling, digestible consumer findings, and identifying the "so what" behind the data
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams on product innovation, including trends analysis, evaluation of early-stage new products/product improvements, leading concept research, and gathering consumer feedback
• High level of professionalism and confidence with the ability to build credibility with leadership, team members, and business partners and establish effective working relationships
• Other tasks, as required

Experience And Education

• Bachelors Degree in Marketing, Business, Psychology or similar, MBA preferred
• 5+ years of experience in Consumer Insights or related field in Restaurant, CPG or Market Research Vendor
• Demonstrated ability to lead both quantitative and qualitative research initiatives from inception to results
• Extensive knowledge and experience with both quantitative and qualitative consumer research and analytical techniques, tools, software, and industry developments and their application to business challenges and opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and integrate multiple data sources (including primary and secondary research, customer comments, social media, etc.) into clear, actionable insights and stories
• Demonstrated ability to conduct deep data mining and employ statistical analysis to get to the heart of the insights story
• Experience diagnosing menu item satisfaction using survey data and customer comments is a plus
• Experience in presenting insights findings across a variety of audiences, including executive-level leaders
• Demonstrated creative and analytical thinking
• Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SurveyMonkey/DIY survey and Restaurant Consumer Insight tools required
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information

What You Bring To The Table

• Must represent The Potbelly Way
• You are friendly and customer service oriented
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills
• You love working in a fast-paced environment
• You're a team player
• You enjoy problem-solving
• You're able to maintain deadlines and prioritize
• You have strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask
• You have strong interviewing skills
• You have Microsoft Office skills
• You have a strong business acumen
• You are proficient in working in a remote setting and are willing to travel as required.
• Must be able to tolerate potential allergens: peanut products, egg, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish.
• You are proactive and highly motivated, demonstrating a strong sense of initiative and commitment to achieving goals. Actively participates in projects and contributes to team discussions, fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
• You can perform tasks that require prolonged periods of sitting at a computer, including but not limited to data entry, software usage, and communication via email and other digital platforms. This role may involve focusing on screens for extended durations while maintaining attention to detail and productivity.

At Potbelly, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment where individuals are valued for their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and strengths. We believe that inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect enhance the way we serve our customers and work together as a team. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

We're an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [6/30/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.

Company: Potbelly Corporate

Position: Manager, Consumer Insights

Status: Full Time

Shift: First (Day)

Req #: 10945740

Date Posted: March 18, 2026

Location: Chicago , Chicago,
US,
IL,
60611

Job Category: Corporate