Customer & Market Insights Manager

Our client is an innovative, industry-leading manufacturer serving the construction, industrial, and rail sectors based in Fareham, and they are seeking a Customer & Market Insights Manager to join their team and help shape the next chapter of their journey. This is a newly created, strategically important role that will put customer understanding, market intelligence and evidence-led decision-making at the heart of their business. As they continue to develop their presence across the UK, Europe and North America, they want to build a much deeper understanding of their customers, markets, competitors and emerging opportunities. This is not simply a market research role. We are looking for someone who can get into the market, engage directly with customers, challenge assumptions, identify emerging trends and translate complex information into clear commercial recommendations. Responsibilities: 1. Building Customer & Market Intelligence Capability Develop and own a structured global approach to capturing, analysing and sharing customer and market intelligence. Establish a central source of insight, bringing together customer feedback, competitor intelligence, sales information, distributor feedback and market trends. Introduce consistent research methodologies, reporting frameworks, dashboards and processes across international markets. Ensure that insight is accessible, meaningful and actively used to support business decisions. 2. Developing our Voice of Customer Programme Design and implement a structured Voice of Customer programme. Engage directly with customers, distributors and end users to understand their challenges, needs and future requirements. Build feedback mechanisms across customer touchpoints, including product launches, account reviews, training, technical support, warranty claims and lost business reviews. Turn customer feedback into meaningful insight that drives improvements in products, services and customer experience. 3. Leading Market & Competitor Intelligence Develop a detailed understanding of our markets, customer segments and growth opportunities. Assess market size, potential and attractiveness across existing and emerging sectors. Monitor competitor activity, product launches, pricing, positioning and routes to market. Identify emerging technologies, industry developments and regulatory changes. Evaluate opportunities for geographic expansion and market share growth. Produce quarterly market intelligence reports, providing clear recommendations and commercial rationale. 4. Influencing Product Innovation & Development Work closely with R&D and Product Development to ensure product decisions are driven by genuine customer demand and market opportunity. Challenge assumptions and distinguish between isolated customer requests and opportunities with wider market potential. Build evidence-based business cases to support future product development decisions. Requirements We are looking for a commercially minded, analytical and naturally curious individual who can combine strategic thinking with practical execution. Experience in Customer Insight, Market Intelligence, Product Management, Product Marketing, Category Management or Innovation Management. Experience designing and delivering both qualitative and quantitative research. Confidence engaging directly with customers and end users to uncover genuine market needs. Experience developing insight frameworks, research processes, reporting systems or business intelligence capabilities. Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data and complex findings into clear commercial recommendations. The ability to influence stakeholders and work collaboratively across Sales, Marketing, Engineering and Product Development. Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills. Technical understanding Benefits Salary- £60,000 Basic Profit related bonus scheme Monday- Friday- 7.30am-4.30pm Office based role IND25