Preparation should be focused on demonstrating both your craft expertise and your ability to drive business value. Approach your interviews by framing your past experiences through the lens of Buyers Edge Platform's specific challenges in the supply chain and procurement space.

Research Craft – You must demonstrate deep proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Interviewers will look for your ability to explain not just what you did, but why you chose a specific method and how it mitigated risk or improved a product outcome.

Strategic Influence – As a Staff User Researcher, you are expected to influence leadership. Be ready to discuss how you have successfully presented complex data to non-research stakeholders and how you gained buy-in for long-term research initiatives.

Business Acumen – Understand the Buyers Edge Platform ecosystem. Connecting your research outcomes to business goals, such as user retention, operational efficiency, or feature adoption, is essential to differentiating yourself as a senior-level candidate.

The interview process at Buyers Edge Platform is designed to evaluate your technical depth, your ability to navigate cross-functional dynamics, and your alignment with the company’s mission. You should expect a rigorous sequence that moves from initial screenings to deep-dive sessions with peers and leadership. The process is characterized by a high emphasis on real-world problem solving and the ability to articulate your research philosophy clearly.

This timeline provides a high-level view of the progression from initial contact to final decision. Use this to pace your study of your own portfolio and to ensure you are prepared to discuss your past projects in detail at every stage. Note that the process can vary slightly by location and the specific product team you are interviewing for, so remain flexible and prepared for variations in the number of technical deep-dives.

Research Methodology and Execution

This area focuses on your technical toolkit and your ability to design robust studies. You are expected to demonstrate rigor in your process, from recruiting to synthesis.

Be ready to go over:

• Methodological Triangulation – How you combine qualitative and quantitative data to build a complete picture.
• Recruitment Strategies – Dealing with specialized B2B user groups or hard-to-reach personas.
• Synthesis and Storytelling – How you translate findings into clear, persuasive narratives for stakeholders.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through a study where you had to pivot your methodology halfway through."
• "How do you ensure your research findings are statistically or qualitatively significant when sample sizes are small?"

Stakeholder Management and Influence

This is critical for a Staff level role. You will be evaluated on your ability to navigate the "politics" of product development and maintain a user-first perspective.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – Handling pushback from Product Managers or Engineers.
• Communication Styles – Adapting your insights for different audiences, from developers to C-suite executives.
• Prioritization – How you decide which research projects to take on when resources are constrained.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you changed a product direction based on your research."
• "How do you handle a stakeholder who dismisses your research findings?"

As a Staff User Researcher, your day-to-day will involve high-level strategy and hands-on execution. You will act as the voice of the user, ensuring that every product release is grounded in real-world needs. You will spend time planning and executing foundational research, running usability studies, and performing deep-dive analysis on existing features.

Collaboration is central to this role. You will work daily with Product Managers to define research goals, with Designers to iterate on prototypes, and with Data Analysts to triangulate your qualitative findings with quantitative usage data. You will also be expected to contribute to the broader research community at Buyers Edge Platform by establishing best practices and mentoring other team members to raise the overall quality of research across the organization.

A successful candidate for the Staff User Researcher position will balance deep technical research skills with the soft skills necessary to thrive in a collaborative environment.

• Must-have skills:

  • 7+ years of experience in user research, preferably in B2B or complex enterprise software.
  • Mastery of both qualitative (interviews, usability testing) and quantitative (surveys, data analysis) methods.
  • Proven track record of influencing product strategy at a senior or staff level.
  • Experience working in Agile environments alongside Engineering and Product teams.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Experience in the food service, supply chain, or procurement technology sectors.
  • Proficiency in data visualization tools to communicate research findings.
  • Experience managing or mentoring other researchers.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? The process usually spans 3 to 6 weeks, depending on interview availability and the speed of the specific hiring team. We aim to keep the process efficient while ensuring you have enough time to meet key stakeholders.

Q: What differentiates a 'strong' candidate from an 'average' one? Successful candidates demonstrate a clear connection between their research and business outcomes. They don't just report findings; they explain how their work reduced risk, saved time, or increased user satisfaction.

Q: Is this role fully remote or office-based? The role is based in specific hubs (Chicago, Waltham, Lake Worth). While we value flexibility, you should be prepared for a hybrid working model that emphasizes in-person collaboration with your immediate team.

Q: How much focus is on technical product knowledge vs. research skills? While you don't need to be a supply chain expert on day one, you must demonstrate a high capacity for learning complex domains quickly. The focus will be 70% on your research craft and 30% on your ability to apply that craft to our specific industry.

• Structure your answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your behavioral answers concise and impactful.
• Know the product: Spend time researching Buyers Edge Platform. Understand who our users are—operators, distributors, and manufacturers—and think about the pain points they might face in procurement and supply chain management.
• Be prepared to discuss failure: We value transparency. Be ready to talk about a project that didn't go as planned and what you learned from it.
• Ask meaningful questions: Use the end of your interviews to ask about the team’s current research challenges, the relationship between Research and Product, and how success is measured for this role.

The Staff User Researcher position at Buyers Edge Platform is an opportunity to drive meaningful change in an industry that powers the food service economy. Your ability to synthesize complex user needs into actionable product strategy will be the hallmark of your success here. By focusing on your research methodology, your strategic influence, and your ability to align with business goals, you will be well-prepared to excel in your interviews.

We encourage you to review your portfolio, practice articulating your "why," and lean into your experience as a strategic partner to product teams. Your potential impact on the Buyers Edge Platform product suite is significant, and we look forward to seeing how your expertise can help us continue to innovate. For further insights and to track your progress, continue exploring the resources available here.