HEAD OF INSIGHT

Head of Insight

Department: Commercial Growth

Location: Bucuresti

Asahi Europe & International (AEI) is part of Asahi Group Holdings (AGH), a global beer, spirits, soft drinks, and food group with leading positions in European and Asia-Pacific markets, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. As of November 2020, Asahi Europe & International Group runs 19 production facilities in 8 countries across Europe and is the custodian of some of the best beer brands in the world, including Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch and Kozel.

Ursus Breweries is the largest beer producer in Romania. The brands in the Ursus Breweries portfolio are: URSUS, Timișoreana, Ciucaș, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Azuga, Pilsner Urquell, Asahi Super Dry. Ursus Breweries currently owns 3 breweries in Brasov, Buzau and Timisoara and a mini-brewery in Cluj-Napoca. Ursus Breweries is part of Asahi Europe & International. For more information about the company and its programs, please visit: www.ursus-breweries.ro and www.desprealcool.ro  

Ursus is made with people, and we care about our people!

Role Overview:

Head of Insights (in-market) is responsible for leading the Strategy Planning & Insights function locally, enabling data-driven decision making and shaping commercial strategy in alignment with the broader Asahi Europe & International (AEI) direction.

The role acts as a strategic thought partner to the local leadership team, ensuring that business decisions are grounded in robust insights, forward-looking analysis, and a deep understanding of market, category, and consumer dynamics.

This position also drives the 3-year planning cycle, category strategy development, and the implementation of best-in-class methodologies, tools, and processes across the market to support sustainable and profitable growth.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the local Strategy Planning & Insights function, ensuring delivery of high-quality, data-driven insights to support business decision making
• Act as a strategic advisor to EXCO and senior stakeholders, providing recommendations beyond process ownership
• Coordinate and lead the 3-Year (3Y) planning process across functions, ensuring alignment with group strategy

Category & Commercial Strategy

• Lead the development and operationalization of category strategy
• Support and challenge the business in defining sub-category architecture and portfolio strategy
• Translate category strategies into clear competitive advantages and in-market execution plans
• Monitor implementation progress and recommend optimizations based on insights and learnings

Strategic Foresight & Market Intelligence

• Own strategic foresight and scenario planning, identifying early signals of:
  • category disruption
  • regulatory changes
  • shifts in consumer behavior
• Lead cross-functional strategic forums and ensure alignment on key priorities

Insights, Data & Methodologies

• Drive implementation and adoption of best practice tools, methodologies, and processes for insights generation
• Oversee research planning and execution aligned with local and regional priorities
• Ensure effective knowledge management and actionable insight generation

Business Planning & Performance

• Drive excellence in business, brand, and channel planning (IAP), ensuring insights inform “where to play” and “how to win” decisions
• Support resource allocation decisions through data and performance analysis

Innovation & Growth

• Partner with marketing and group teams to shape the innovation agenda using best-in-class insights and research tools
• Ensure learnings are embedded to optimize innovation outcomes

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with local commercial teams, Group Insights, BI & Data Science teams
• Manage relationships with external research and data partners

Organizational Development

• Design and implement the local SP&I operating model
• Build and develop high-performing teams, including capability frameworks and career paths
• Develop next-generation strategy talent within the organization

Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

• Support corporate affairs initiatives with insights for sustainability agenda, stakeholder communication, and category image

Requirements (must have):

• University degree in Business, Economics, Mathematics, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial strategy, insights, or category development
• At least 6 years of people management experience
• Strong understanding of commercial processes across marketing, sales, and strategy
• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders (e.g., EXCO, MDs, senior marketing/sales leaders)
• Solid experience with research methodologies, data sources, and insight generation
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• High level of resilience, curiosity, and results orientation

Requirements (nice to have):

• Experience in FMCG / beverage industry
• Exposure to multinational or matrix organizations
• Experience working with regional or global teams
• Strong background in innovation strategy and portfolio management
• Familiarity with advanced analytics or data science capabilities
• Experience in leading organizational transformation or capability building initiatives

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Ursus Breweries, part of Asahi Europe and International, we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, gender expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, beliefs, citizenship, or national origin.  We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.