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Salary Range
€40k - €90k
Career Zone

In Brief...

Studies trends and patterns in consumer preferences to identify areas of potential profit for companies. Reviews consumer behaviour to balance engagement & strategy. 

Knowledge

  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Sales and Marketing Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge areas are ranked by their importance to this career

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Skills are ranked by their importance to this career

Work Environment

Consumer Scientists typically work in the following Career Sectors:

Marketing Strategy & Planning
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Advertising Sales & Media Buying
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Big Data
Information Technology (IT)
AI
Information Technology (IT)
e-Commerce
Sales, Retail & Purchasing
Purchasing and Wholesaling
Sales, Retail & Purchasing

Videos on the Web

Most commonly reported Work Activities

  • Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

 

 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

  • Prepare reports of findings, illustrating data graphically and translating complex findings into written text.
  • Collect and analyse data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits to identify potential markets and factors affecting product demand.
  • Conduct research on consumer opinions and marketing strategies, collaborating with marketing professionals, statisticians, pollsters, and other professionals.
  • Measure and assess customer and employee satisfaction.
  • Devise and evaluate methods and procedures for collecting data, such as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires, or arrange to obtain existing data.
  • Measure the effectiveness of marketing, advertising, and communications programs and strategies.
  • Seek and provide information to help companies determine their position in the marketplace.
  • Forecast and track marketing and sales trends, analysing collected data.
  • Gather data on competitors and analyse their prices, sales, and method of marketing and distribution.
  • Monitor industry statistics and follow trends in trade literature.

Further Information

Interests - Consumer Scientist

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Entry - Consumer Scientist

There are many pathways towards a career in Consumer analysis data analytics. A Level 7 Degree in Computer Science is a typical starting point to a career in this sector. Experience of Six Sigma and knowledge of statistics would be beneficial, together with an understanding and experience of business functions.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & Office Admin, Customer service, Media & production in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, Data Analytics, Software Development & Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & Sales, Media studies, Marketing, Psychology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Sales, ICT software developer NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, sociology, Media & Communication, Communications, Arts & media studies, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Digital Marketing with Analytics, Data Science and Analytics, Computing - Data Analytics and Big Data, Business Analytics NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Creative digital media, Computer Science - Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Data Science & Analytics, Digital Marketing & Analytics, Art Design & Media - Research, Media & Communication - Research NFQ level 9

Training for Data media analysts may be on-the-job or via alternaitves in Skillnets, Higher education, Springboard HCI. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  

Irish Analytics Inst

Springboardcourses

Last Updated: April, 2023

Pay & Salary - Consumer Scientist

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ CPL / Sigma / Lincoln / Azon

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

Labour Market Updates - Consumer Scientist

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong employment growth rate for this occupation, employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022. Employment is spread across a number of roles including marketing associate professionals, buyers & procurement officers, conference/expo managers and estate agents. Employment permits issued in 2022 were primarily for roles in the ICT sector such as digital marketing and accounts managers with language skills required for some.

The Recruitment Agency Survey highlighted issues in sourcing candidates for procurement roles. The number of job adverts for this role grew in 2022, driven by increases for buyers/procurement officers and conference organisers etc. In addition, procurement/tendering documentation skills were not confined to this occupation, but were also in demand outside of sales roles, albeit in small numbers.

Useful Contacts - Consumer Scientist

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