Category Analyst

*Please provide a resume when applying 

POSITION PURPOSE

The Category Analyst is responsible for compiling category data from internal and external sources, analyzing and interpreting the data, and creating recommendations for the Category Managers during category planning and reviews. Employees in this job classification provide financial and analytical support to Category Managers and Merchandising Leadership. This job classification requires an aptitude and knowledge of analytics, a passion to drive change through data-based decisions, and the ability to formulate recommendations that support department objectives and goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Responsible for gathering data, producing analyses, and recommending actions to optimize category sales and margin performance.
• Gathers and analyzes category performance across a variety of indicators, including sales, gross profit, margins, and market share. Obtains data from a variety of internal and external sources, including internal databases, syndicated sales data software (AC Nielsen tools), and from vendors and manufacturers.
• Analyzes item assortment and creates recommendations for efficient assortment.
• Develops analysis of product promotion, pricing, and shelf-placement.
• Develops post-event performance analyses by item within the category. Provides feedback to Category Managers.
• Supports the development of the annual category marketing plans.
• Monitors and produces weekly periodic category KPI metrics reporting. Creates ad hoc reports as requested.
• Responsible for tracking consumer and product trends.
• Performs what-if analyses to assist in developing category marketing plans and to achieve sales and margin goals. Identifies and understands the competition's impact on the category and provides recommendations to grow category market share.
• Gathers and provides customer-based data and market data and provides recommendations to Category Managers to enhance customer loyalty.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective business relations.
• Attends Category meetings with vendors, brokers, and manufacturer representatives.
• Maintains business relationships with all corporate functions to maximize efficiencies.
• Upholds the company's professional reputation.
• Maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality regarding company operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, finance or a related field and a minimum of two or more (2+) years of related analytical or retail sales/merchandising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Knows and applies the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of category management.
• Knows and applies financial/analytical skills as evidenced by successful college coursework or practical experience.
• Knows the fundamental concepts of sales and merchandising, promotion planning and category performance analysis.
• Understands consumer research methodologies and techniques.
• Proven understanding of the retail method of accounting.
• Experience with data analysis utilizing sales data, customer retail scan data, as well as syndicated market data (AC Nielsen tools).

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to write queries.
• Solid analytical and technical skills; understand products and services.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
• Strong prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
• Self-initiative, a sense of urgency and innovation/creativity.
• Ability to work in a team and partner across departments to drive decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employees may occasionally experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:

• Telephone usage to communicate with internal customers, suppliers and manufacturers.
• Sitting; frequent sedentary work.
• Viewing computer monitor; average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare documents, enter data into computer system, read reports and from computer monitor.
• Keyboarding: use of fingers to make small movements such as typing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in a normal business office environment. May occasionally travel to other locations such as store sites, meetings or conferences.