Paid $100 Interview (60 Minutes) – Foodservice & Retail Beverage Persona Interview Participants

Overview We are conducting confidential industry research with experienced professionals in the foodservice and food retail beverage industries. Our research is focused on ambient and refrigerated beverage products, including coffee, tea, juice, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, functional beverages, private label beverages, and foodservice beverage programs. We are seeking qualified professionals to participate in a one-time, paid 60-minute virtual interview focused on how organizations evaluate suppliers, manage sourcing decisions, launch innovations, develop products, manage categories, and build successful supplier partnerships. We will be conducting 10 interviews total, and this research project is expected to be completed by August 15, 2026. Selected participants will receive $100 USD for a completed 60-minute interview. The interview will be recorded solely for internal research purposes. Recordings will not be publicly distributed, and all responses will remain confidential. This is not an ongoing consulting engagement. This is a one-time interview opportunity associated with a defined market research project that will conclude on August 15, 2026. Compensation $100 USD for a completed interview 60-minute virtual interview One-time engagement No preparation required No additional work or follow-up deliverables expected Research project scheduled to conclude by August 15, 2026 Project Timeline We are actively scheduling interviews now and expect all interviews to be completed by August 15, 2026. Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule a single 60-minute interview during this research period. Industry Focus Food Retail We are particularly interested in professionals working within: Grocery Retailers Supermarkets Regional Grocery Chains National Grocery Chains Club Stores Convenience Retailers Private Label Organizations Food and Beverage Brands that sell into grocery retailers Foodservice We are particularly interested in professionals working within: Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) Fast Casual Restaurants Contract Dining Convenience Foodservice Beverage Categories Coffee Tea Juice Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Beverages Functional Beverages Refrigerated Beverages Shelf-Stable / Ambient Beverages Private Label Beverage Programs Who We Are Looking For Food Retail Professionals Preference will be given to candidates who currently work for, or have recently worked for: Grocery retailers Supermarket chains Regional or national food retailers Private label retail organizations Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies that sell products into grocery retailers Beverage brands that sell products into grocery retailers We are especially interested in: Private Label Category Managers Category Managers Category Directors Brand Managers responsible for products sold through grocery retailers Retail Buyers Procurement and Sourcing Leaders Target roles include: Category Manager Category Director Private Label Category Manager Private Label Director Buyer Senior Buyer Procurement Manager Director of Procurement Director of Purchasing Strategic Sourcing Manager Supply Chain Manager Supply Chain Director Product Development Manager Innovation Manager Brand Manager Marketing Manager Foodservice Professionals Preference will be given to candidates who currently work for, or have recently worked for: Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) Fast Casual Restaurant Chains Multi-Unit Restaurant Groups Foodservice Operators Beverage Program Operators Target roles include: Buyer Procurement Manager Director of Procurement Director of Purchasing Strategic Sourcing Manager Supply Chain Manager Supply Chain Director Materials Manager Category Manager Product Development Manager Innovation Manager Culinary Innovation Leader Chef Beverage Manager Beverage Category Manager Brand Manager Marketing Manager Interview Topics The conversation may include: How suppliers are identified, researched, and selected Supplier qualification requirements Product quality expectations Packaging requirements and preferences Supplier reliability and service expectations Innovation and new product development Ambient and refrigerated beverage trends Category management strategies Supply chain and sourcing challenges Value-added services suppliers can provide Sustainability and sourcing considerations Internal stakeholders involved in purchasing decisions Characteristics of best-in-class suppliers Factors that build trust and long-term supplier relationships Professional goals, challenges, and success metrics Ideal Candidates The strongest candidates will have direct experience: Selecting or evaluating suppliers Managing beverage categories Managing private label programs Developing food or beverage products Purchasing ingredients or finished goods Leading sourcing or procurement initiatives Managing supplier relationships Selling branded or private-label products into grocery retailers Launching products within food retail or foodservice channels Preference will be given to candidates who have direct decision-making authority or significant influence over supplier selection, sourcing, procurement, category management, product development, or beverage innovation initiatives. Confidentiality To ensure unbiased feedback: The sponsoring company will remain anonymous Interviews will be recorded for internal research purposes only. Recordings will not be publicly distributed Individual responses will remain confidential Participants may decline to answer any question they are uncomfortable discussing Why We Are Conducting This Research The objective of this research is to better understand how foodservice and food retail professionals evaluate suppliers, manage category growth, launch innovations, and make sourcing decisions. Insights gathered from these interviews will be used to develop buyer persona research, market intelligence reports, and internal go-to-market resources designed to help commercial, marketing, product development, and leadership teams better understand industry needs, challenges, supplier expectations, and buying behaviors.