Robert L. Thomas
Research Consultant
Manhattan Beach,CA
Summary
Committed and engaging research consultant bringing exceptional lecturing skills and expertise in data analysis and reporting. Gifted in engagement and guidance of students with four years in postsecondary education.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Lab Instructor
01.1996
- Of the Year honor from the CSUF Psychology Department
Senior Product Planner
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc
Torrance, CA
07.2009 - Current
- Responsible for planning and product development for current and future Scion vehicles
- Created and delivered insightful research to support product development and pricing proposals
- Analysis of and immersion in product markets to identify optimum packaging and price positions
- Designed and executed successful negotiation strategies against significant cost and profit pressures from TMC
- Developed and maintained relationships with client and other groups at TMS to facilitate collaborative efforts and cross-organizational teamwork
- Major Accomplishments
- Successfully launched FR-S with strong pricing despite cost pressures and challenges with FHI collaboration
- Successful tC Minor Change with bold design enhancements and competitive pricing
Senior Market Research Consultant
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc
Torrance, CA
01.2003 - 07.2009
- Managed core proprietary and syndicated New and Used Vehicle Buyer research
- Managed $2M project budget
- Managed strategic research projects such as study teams, dealership surveys, mail/telephone/on-line survey research
- Responsible for meeting statistical software training needs (e.g., mTab, SPSS) of internal clients
- Managed and strengthened relationships with external research suppliers
- Major Accomplishments:
- Reduced operating cost of $2M New/Used vehicle studies by 20%
- Innovated standard procedure for conducting Dealership research yielding response of 100%
- Improved accuracy, usefulness, and efficiency of proprietary New Vehicle study through sampling and weighting adjustments
Organizational Development Consultant, Resource, Research Program
Santa
, CA
01.1999 - 01.2003
- Assisted the design & implementation of a federally funded program evaluation methodology throughout the aviation industry to assess program impact and facilitate improvement
- Presented research to client companies, training consultants and at aviation conferences that facilitated program growth and stimulated further research
- Provided feedback to trainers & facilitators on training development & outcomes
- Conducted ethnographic on-site interviews to understand cultural change and evaluate training implementation
- Coached management and employees on behavioral communication strategies related to the program
Market Research Analyst AIS
Market Research
Fresno, CA
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Managed questionnaire design, data collection, quota control, tabulation, analysis, reporting and database management on market research projects
- Coordinated with clients through all phases of projects
Undergraduate Course Instructor
CSU Fresno
Fresno, CA
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Facilitated discussions around psychological topics with groups of up to 40 university students
- Designed and presented classroom agenda & activities for university psychology classes
- Courses taught: statistics, research methods, cognitive psychology
- Awarded
Education
Ph.D - Organizational Psychology
California School of Organizational Studies, Alliant University
San Francisco, CA 01.1998 - 1 2003
Master of Arts - Research Psychology CSU, Psychology
Fresno State University
Fresno, CA 1 1994 - 1 1997
Skills
Other Specialized Skills
Timeline
Senior Product Planner
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc
07.2009 - Current
Senior Market Research Consultant
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc
01.2003 - 07.2009
Organizational Development Consultant, Resource, Research Program
Santa
01.1999 - 01.2003
Ph.D - Organizational Psychology
California School of Organizational Studies, Alliant University
01.1998 - 1 2003
Market Research Analyst AIS
Market Research
01.1997 - 01.1998
Lab Instructor
01.1996
Undergraduate Course Instructor
CSU Fresno
01.1994 - 01.1997
Master of Arts - Research Psychology CSU, Psychology
Fresno State University
1 1994 - 1 1997