Consumer Industry, Research Analyst

BMI is currently seeking a Consumer Research Analyst based out of our Pretoria, South Africa office.  

BMI's systematic, independent and data-driven market insights, analysis and forecasts enable customers to recognize and assess risks and opportunities across markets and industries. For almost 40 years, we have provided impartial views to support our customers’ strategic plans and investment decisions. 

At BMI, we’re proud of the work we do to help our clients manage risks and opportunities in global markets, which began in 1984 and continues to this day. By stepping into a role here, you will help shape the strategic decisions of the world’s leading organizations. As a member of our team, your role will go beyond conventional boundaries. You will collaborate with industry experts, thought leaders, and visionary executives, collectively working towards shaping the future of businesses that span a multitude of sectors. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we continuously strive to offer our colleagues a great place to work, with opportunities to learn, innovate, develop their careers, and serve the community.

Want to learn more about a career at BMI? Visit: https://careers.fitch.group/content/BMI/

What We’re Looking For

A research analyst covering the Consumer & Retail, Food & Drink and Tourism sectors that will provide integrated, forward-looking insight into consumer demand, spending patterns and industry dynamics across key end-markets. The role combines macroeconomic analysis with sector-specific expertise to assess trends in retail performance, food and beverage consumption and travel flows, delivering data-driven forecasts and actionable insights for clients.

The analyst will be responsible for monitoring market developments, interpreting economic and industry data, and producing high-quality research that identifies risks, opportunities and structural growth drivers. This includes analysing shifts in consumer behaviour, pricing dynamics, supply chains and the impact of policy, investment and tourism trends. Strong communication skills are essential, with outputs tailored for client briefings, presentations and written reports.

About the Team

The Consumer Research team produces daily and quarterly written and data-centric analysis for a global audience of public and private sector clients. Client presentations and custom research projects also form part of the regular workload.

How You’ll Make an Impact: 

• Great development opportunities for someone looking to become a subject matter expert in the global Consumer sector. There are also opportunities to become a regional or subsector experts (Consumer & Retail, Food & Drink, Tourism, for example)
• Potential to get in front of our clients to present our key views and assist them with investment projects
• Develop a holistic ‘connected thinking’ approach to analysis through collaboration with analysts covering different industries that interlink with Consumer & Retail, Food & Drink and Tourism
• A global team of analysts and subject experts across several different sectors
• Support and training from the bottom up. We can build you into a first-class analyst

You May be a Good Fit if:

• Take ownership of a suite of country-specific reports, datasets and Indexes.
• Identify and analyse key trends and articulate the risks and opportunities facing Consumer & Retail, Food & Drink and Tourism stakeholders, up and down the value chain.
• Produce insightful, thematic and actionable research.
• Contribute to ad hoc reports and special projects as you become a subject matter expert.
• Support our global sales team and effectively communicate our industry views to clients.
• Support team leaders in the development of new research initiatives evolving with the industry.

What Would Make You Stand Out: 

• Master’s degree with a focus on Economics, Politics, International Relations or a related field
• Relevant experience in consumer and retail/food and drink/tourism related analysis and research, or at least, demonstrable interest in consumer and retail/food and drink sectors
• Demonstrable ability to solve problems using critical, rational and creative thinking
• Strong interest in macroeconomics, data analytics and research
• Likely to be a recent graduate or early careerist (0-3 years’ relevant experience)
• Strong writing and numeracy skills are essential; Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills also desirable
• Demonstrates strong proficiency in using AI and generative AI tools to enhance productivity, analysis and output quality.
• Shows curiosity and adaptability in adopting emerging AI technologies, including generative AI, to improve outcomes and ways of working.

Why Choose Fitch: 

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required based on your line of business and location
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

At Fitch, AI is embedded in how we work every day—supporting smarter decision-making, streamlining workflows, and enabling new ways to create value for our business and clients. Intelligent solutions are increasingly part of our day-to-day operations, helping teams work more efficiently and think differently as we continue to evolve. We’re looking for colleagues who are comfortable operating in an AI-enabled environment—or who are curious, adaptable, and eager to build their AI literacy over time. We value professionals who embrace technology as part of continuous learning and who are committed to using it thoughtfully to enhance how work gets done.

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluatequalified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. 

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