Market Research Fieldwork Operations

**Are you a highly skilled Fieldwork Operations Manager with a passion for Research? We are looking for a Regional Fieldwork Procurement/Operations Manager to join our team in South Africa and work across Africa and the Middle East.** **About MMR**: As industry leaders, MMR specializes in enhancing client brands through innovative research in food, drink, personal, and household care. Trusted by over 50% of the top 100 global food and drink brands, MMR is the go-to partner for best-in-class innovation. With a truly global presence and a team of over 800 professionals across multiple offices worldwide, MMR is where sensory and consumer science meets creative research to deliver real commercial impact for clients. **What Sets MMR Apart**: MMR is more than a research agency; it's a "people first" company built on collaboration, honesty, and mutual trust. With a Glassdoor rating of 4.7 out of 5 and a 99% employee recommendation rate, MMR values its employees and fosters a positive global family culture. **The role** Without the our extensive network of fieldwork partners MMR could not exist as the thriving, successful business that it is. We work with the best in the business and we do this by building strong relationships and constantly raising our standards for the work they produce for us. That makes this role business critical. This person will be responsible for enhancing and maximizing the value of market research fieldwork within their area of responsibility through procurement and operational best practice. You will take responsibility for the relationship management of fieldwork suppliers, internal clients and colleagues across a range of departments and countries. This is a hybrid role that is managed out of the Fieldwork Management team and also includes responsibilities to the Fieldwork Procurement Team. What this means is you will work not just on the commercial viability of our partner relationships but on the quality of the work they produce. **What will you be doing?** - Travel to and managing our quantitative suppliers in the Africa & Middle East Regions - Due diligence / quality management, obtaining, checking and negotiating costs for rate cards - Resolving issues in service level, pricing or payment - Reviewing supplier spend and performance - Supporting client requests, including supply chain information requests for understanding of capabilities and quality assurance - Attending fieldwork to ensure MMR standards are observed - Trouble shooting with the fieldwork suppliers to solve problems as they arise - Liaising with research, project management and survey programming teams to ensure project delivery is optimal - Delivering regular updates to the project leaders - Regular communications with the wider Fieldwork Procurement team to ensure updates from across the region are shared **Requirements**: **What experience are we looking for?** **Communication** - Able to effectively communicate and explain clearly, professionally and concisely, both verbally and in writing in English. **Self-Management** - Can switch between different tasks according to business needs **Confidence **to work independently but is also a team player. Proactive in decision-making **Working with Others** - Maintains open and honest relationships with colleagues and agencies, building trust and confidence, responding proactively to requests and ensuring that others respond to own requests. Must be able to foster good relationships with agencies, whilst still managing to negotiate pricing as appropriate **Negotiation Skills** - Has the confidence and skill to negotiate pricing with agencies and discuss cost implications with research team colleagues **Inquisitive** - Has a naturally inquisitive mind, looking to understand how fieldwork is conducted across the numerous countries within the area of responsibility, understanding why things differ and the cost implications of these. **Respectful** - Understands the relationship and communication dynamics across the various countries in which they operate. **Travel**: - willing to travel throughout Africa and the Middle East and if required globally; plan travel to optimize cost efficiencies. **Project Design - **Thoroughly understands the project process and develops a good understanding of standard research methodologies. **Cost Control**: - Understand the cost/time implications of third party costs in the project process. **Client Focus** - Understand the importance of client focus and of building the clients’ trust and confidence in MMR to deliver a high quality service. **Financial/Costing** - Is numerate and understands costing structures, payment terms and other financial information; is able to work with reports and summaries which are clear and accurate. **IT skills **- Is able to produce reports and summaries in a well presented, user friendly format. In particular, must be a very competent Excel user. **Language Skills**: - fluency in English es