Sr. Food & Beverage Trend Researcher

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on include labor markets and in some instancesmay include education work experience and addition to your pay Target cares about and invests in you as a team member so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs which may include medical vision dental life insurance and more to help you and your family take care of your whole benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) employee discount short term disability long term disability paid sick leave paid national holidays and paid competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at Us:

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

As a Senior Food & Beverage Trend Researcher you will:
Lead the identification synthesis and activation of emerging food & beverage trends to inform product development merchandising strategy and enterprise decision-making. You will translate cultural consumer and category trends into clear insights and strategic opportunities that drive growth and differentiation.

Position Overview:

Trend Intelligence & Insight Development

• Identify and track emerging food & beverage trends across culture consumer behavior categories and competitive landscapes.
• Conduct deep-dive category analyses and deliver actionable insights for merchants Product Development brand and enterprise partners.
• Integrate qualitative and quantitative inputs from secondary research data sources and insights partnerships.
• Monitor benchmarks innovation and new market entrants sharing relevant implications with teams.

Strategic Vision & Foresight

• Synthesize complex informationtrend signals guest insights cultural shifts and datainto clear frameworks and future-forward recommendations.
• Lead strategic workstreams that identify whitespace opportunities and guide long-term category and brand direction.
• Build and evolve trend methodologies tools and processes to support strategic planning and innovation.

Collaboration & Influence

• Serve as a strategic partner to merchandising Product Development insights marketing and brand teams.
• Communicate insights clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences including senior leaders.
• Manage multiple projects and timelines while providing clear direction and problem-solving support.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to developing team capabilities in trend analysis and storytelling.
• Support building an innovative future-thinking culture across the organization.

Additional Information

• Travel to key markets trend conferences and trade shows (approximately 1020%).
• Job duties may change at any time due to business needs.

Summary of Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Design Marketing Business Food ScienceCulinary Science ordirectly relatedfield.

• 3 years of experience withtrend/innovation/creative/design within a food retail or editorial environment.

• Naturally curious with a passion for food and innovation; strong consumer orientation

• Skilled storyteller withdemonstratedability to influence.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize a wide spectrum of data into actionable insights.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with internal and external partners.

• Fluent in MS Word & excel and computerdesign system skills including InDesignand /orPowerPoint.

• Food social media savvy with experience navigating Instagram PinterestTiktok and other food apps and bloggers.

Benefits Eligibility

In compliance with state and federal laws Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please reach out to Non-accommodation-related requests such as application follow-ups or technical issues will not be addressed through this channel.