Caravan Ingredients appointed Marge O’Brien as consumer insight manager, responsible for capturing the voice of the consumer to help develop appealing products and programs. She also will work to gather intelligence and track consumer trends in support of Caravan’s innovation process to ensure on-trend technology is available to meet customer opportunities.

Caravan Ingredients appointed Marge O’Brien as consumer insight manager, responsible for capturing the voice of the consumer to help develop appealing products and programs. She also will work to gather intelligence and track consumer trends in support of Caravan’s innovation process to ensure on-trend technology is available to meet customer opportunities.

O’Brien has an extensive background in market research and category management. Her career accomplishments most recently include vice president of client solutions for Chicago-based Information Resources, Inc., which is now SymphonyIRI Group. Prior to this leadership role, O’Brien also held a variety of executive positions, working with major industrial bakeries, packaged goods companies and market research firms.

“Marge has a depth of experience in market and consumer research that is unparalleled,” says Jim Wells, director of commercial insights for the Lenexa, Kan.-based ingredients supplier. “She has been involved in new product development and ideation her entire career, bringing along with her the vast skills needed to elevate the Caravan Ingredients Consumer Insights Group, as well as category management best practices moving forward.”