Tara Hutchinson
About Tara Hutchinson
Tara Hutchinson is a seasoned professional in consumer insights and qualitative research, currently serving as a Global Consumer Insights Internal Consultant at General Mills and holding multiple consultancy roles in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Tara Hutchinson is currently involved in multiple consultancy roles across a range of organizations. She serves as a Consultant/Director Lean Research at The Garage Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additionally, she works as an Insights Strategist at Ignite 360, and as a Qualitative Research Consultant, Moderator & Facilitator for TBH Research & Insights Consulting LLC in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. Tara is also a Global Consumer Insights, Internal Consultant at General Mills in the same region.
Past Work Experience
Tara Hutchinson has amassed considerable experience over her more than three-decade-long career in research and consumer insights. She has held roles such as Global Consumer Insights, Senior Associate for multiple product lines at General Mills. Notably, she worked as a CI Consultant at Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 2019 and as a Consultant in Consumer Insights & Analytics, Innovation at Schwan's Company in 2019. Further, Hutchinson has served in various capacities at companies like Best Buy, Carmichael Lynch, Miller Meester, and McCracken Brooks.
Education and Qualifications
Tara Hutchinson holds a Master of Business Communication (MBC) from the University of St. Thomas, where she studied Marketing from 1995 to 1997. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Marketing from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, where she studied from 1984 to 1988.
Specific Roles at General Mills
Over the years, Tara Hutchinson has held several positions at General Mills. She served as Global Consumer Insights, Senior Associate for Go-Gurt and Kid Yogurt in 2017. Prior to this, she was a Senior Associate for Yogurt & Annie's Innovation from 2015 to 2016, Global Trends from 2013 to 2015, and Old El Paso from 2011 to 2013. Her role as Senior Associate - Health & Wellness COE in 2010 and Senior Associate - ICE from 2007 to 2010 further underscores her depth of experience in consumer insights.
Early Career Background
Tara Hutchinson began her career as a Research Project Director at US Communications, a position she held from 1989 to 1993. She then worked as a Behavioral Research Analyst at McCracken Brooks from 1993 to 1996 and as a Manager in Research & Account Planning at Miller Meester from 1996 to 1997. Further, she served as a Senior Research Consultant at Carmichael Lynch for seven years from 1997 to 2004.