Thomas Andersen

Consumer Insights Manager - Protein Ingredients at Cargill (RETIRED)

Wayzata, Minnesota, United States

About

Strategic insights leader with proven success creating growth for established brands and launching category frame-breaking new innovation. Strong passion for developing deep insights, translating them into action and influencing team and leadership by finding new and innovative ways to tell the story. Strong and trusted team player who understands how to engage the broader team and deliver through others.

Experience

  • Consumer Insights Manager - Protein Ingredients (Retired) at Cargill
    Nov 2018 - Jun 2024 · 5 yrs 8 mos

  • 3M (3 yrs 7 mos)
    • Insights Leader, Innovation and Capabilities
      Oct 2015 - Sep 2018 · 3 yrs

      Leader of the Capabilities Insights team at 3M

    • Customer, Consumer and Market Insights - Innovation and Trends Manager
      Mar 2015 - Oct 2015 · 8 mos

  • General Mills (13 yrs 11 mos)
    • Sr. Solution Manager for Global Consumer Insights
      Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Internal consultant to Global Consumer Insights organization responsible for identifying value creation solutions and cost savings. Built big data platforms for machine learning analytics and completed several right work/right place initiatives. Created value in excess of $2M over the past year.

    • Global Consumer Insights Manager - Opportunity Assessment
      Jul 2010 - Dec 2013 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      Led team of 7 research professionals (and a support team of 10 professionals in Mumbai, India), serving the corporation's global needs for quantitative consumer research and analytics (volumetric forecasting, new product concept testing, positioning research, product research, etc.) • Led the design and development of a new proprietary concept testing system for General Mills. • Managed the General Mills Corporate Product Superiority Program.

    • Global Consumer Insights Associate/Senior Associate
      Mar 2001 - Jun 2010 · 9 yrs 4 mos

      Led consumer research in three operating divisions; Snacks (Nature Valley franchise and grain innovation), Meals (Progresso Soup innovation) and Pillsbury (Grands! Biscuits and refrigerated baked good innovation) • Achieved the Chairman’s Champions Award for the launch of Fiber One Chewy bars – driving over $65MM in year one sales. • Designed the consumer research plan that led to the launch of Progresso Light (1 point) soups, Progresso Fiber Soups, Progresso Broth, Pillsbury Simply Biscuits and several line extensions. • Responsible for several corporate legal claims projects. Successfully implemented research that withstood legal challenge from competition.

  • Senior Research Manager at Maritz Research
    Feb 1999 - Feb 2001 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Managed a research team decicated to the Pizza Hut and Compaq Computer team. Responsible for large international tracking studies and for creating and implementing an online reporting system for Compaq's senior management team.

  • Client Consultant at MarketResponse International
    1994 - 1999 · 5 yrs

    Managed qualitative and quantitative research projects for 3M, US WEST, Chrysler, Teledyne Waterpik, and many others. • Designed and implemented research in multiple countries around the world. Travelled to countries like Russia, Romania, UK, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Spain among others to ensure quality implementation of international research projects. • Drove revenue in excess of $350,000 by selling research solutions to domestic and international clients.