Research Supply Manager

Dig Insights is an innovation intelligence company that helps brands find the next sources of growth for their business, and predict which opportunities are most likely to be successful. We’ve been around for 16+ years, and we’ve taken our expertise in innovation insights and turned it into a technology-driven, predictive model for consumer brands.

Our clients span verticals including CPG, QSR, retail, technology, financial services, and telecommunications. Our work is led by a team of over 250 strategists, insights consultants, developers, and data scientists. We work for a global client base out of offices in Toronto, Chicago, London, and Singapore.

Since we started in 2010, we’ve been focused on setting a new standard for the insights industry – challenging the traditional model and building for what comes next. That means hiring people who are bright, creative, resourceful, and kind. People who succeed at Dig are curious, question established norms and are passionate about helping our clients to move their businesses forward. If you want to join a team that takes themselves just seriously enough to produce great work, we’d love to welcome you.

As we continue to grow, both geographically and in our expertise, we are looking for people who want to join a high-growth and highly collaborative company.

About this role

The Research Supply Manager runs the sourcing of external sample and fieldwork for Dig’s projects, and is accountable for the cost and margin outcome of those decisions on each project. The role obtains and compares quotes, selects vendors within agreed guidelines, controls vendor cost from first quote through final close out, and reports on the financial impact of sourcing.

Project Managers and research teams own project delivery and the client relationship. This role ensures every project is sourced with the right vendor, at the right price, and closed out accurately.

Primary responsibilities

Vendor Sourcing and Selection

• Requests, tracks, and follows up on quotes, keeping requests consistent so quotes can be compared fairly.
• Assesses feasibility, price, timeline, and quality across vendors for each project.
• Makes and documents vendor selection decisions within agreed approval thresholds, with a clear recommendation and rationale on every project.
• Negotiates project level pricing within the agreed rates and terms.
• Works from the preferred vendor list and flags vendor performance issues to the reporting manager.
• Maintains the quote log and vendor pricing history.

Cost and Margin Control

• Owns vendor cost against the quoted and priced budget on every project sourced.
• Reconciles final vendor cost against quotes and agreed rates, and flags variances early with context.
• Secures internal approvals and submits verified invoices to Accounts Payable on time.
• Advises Project Managers and research teams on how vendor choices affect project margin.
• Produces a monthly report for Finance and Research Ops leadership covering vendor spend, price trends, variances, and margin impact.

Project Setup and Handoff

• Oversees draft project setup on DIY platforms from finalized specifications, and flags gaps in specifications before setup, not after.
• Maintains the handoff process between project teams and Research Ops.

Governance and Control

• Applies approval thresholds: sign off required above budget or for any vendor outside the preferred list.
• Signs off on the junior team member’s vendor decisions and reconciliations above their approval limit.
• Ensures vendor specifications shared externally respect client confidentiality and data privacy requirements.
• Ensures vendor engagements follow agreed contract terms.

Team and Process

• Directs the day to day work of one junior team member: allocating work, reviewing quotes and reconciliations for quality, coaching, and providing input into their performance review.
• Documents vendor processes, decisions, and learnings.
• Proposes and delivers improvements to sourcing and approval workflows.

Experience, skills, and requirements

• 4–6 years of relevant experience in research operations, sample or fieldwork sourcing, procurement, or vendor management, preferably within market research.
• Proven experience negotiating pricing and managing vendor relationships.
• Strong commercial and financial judgment, including cost reconciliation and understanding of project margin.
• Excel proficiency; experience producing regular spend and margin reporting.
• Familiarity with DIY research platforms and relevant tools.

Work Perks:

• A hybrid-remote work environment, where employees have the flexibility to work remotely or from one of our offices
• Unlimited vacation policy
• Reimbursement for health and wellness classes/memberships and continuous learning
• RRSP / 401K employer matching program
• Offices in Toronto and Chicago, located steps to public transportation in the downtown core
• Regular social events such as charity poker nights, trivia events, team building days, and more!

To find out more about us visit us at www.diginsights.com.

Our culture is built on 5 core values: Energy, Excellence, Evolution, Equality and Empathy. We believe that our success is dependent on the diverse talents, skills, and ideas of its staff. We are committed to creating an inclusive work environment and encourage applications from all qualified candidates including those in the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, and from people with disabilities.

We thank you for your interest in Dig Insights, however, only candidates who are chosen for an interview will be contacted.