CATEGORY ANALYST JOB DESCRIPTION

The Category Analyst owns that reconciliation - translating POS, household panel, and competitive intelligence into assortment, shelving, and promotional recommendations that retail buyers act on. Housed within the Sales or Marketing function and accountable to a Category Manager, this role requires fluency in both the numbers and the narrative needed to move a retail partner from data to decision.

As the Category Analyst, you convert shopper behavior data, syndicated sales metrics, and competitive market intelligence into category strategies and fact-based selling tools that support revenue and share growth across assigned retail accounts. The role operates within the Sales or Business Operations function, partnering daily with field sales, brokers, and merchandising teams to ensure category plans are grounded in current market realities.

Career Impact: Sustained work in CPG category management - owning planogram recommendations, category reviews, and syndicated data programs - builds the cross-functional credibility that accelerates a path toward Category Manager or Senior Insights roles.

Business Impact: Retail buyers make ranging and shelving decisions based directly on the analyses this role produces, making the Category Analyst's output a measurable driver of distribution gains and promotional ROI for assigned brands.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to scan data analytics, household panel interpretation, and RFx-style category reviews deepens a skill set that commands consistent market demand across food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors.

• Develop category and brand analyses spanning assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotional performance to support sales and marketing objectives.
• Synthesize syndicated, POS, and shopper panel data into fact-based insights presentations for retail buyers and key account teams.
• Build and maintain scorecards tracking weekly, quarterly, and annual sales, gross profit, and category share across assigned accounts.
• Conduct pre- and post-promotional analysis to evaluate sales lift, profit contribution, and share growth against plan.
• Partner with field sales to construct category reviews and new item sell-in presentations for key retail customers.
• Support planogram development and make space management recommendations aligned to category growth strategies.
• Monitor vendor and supplier performance against category business plans, flagging compliance gaps and execution opportunities.
• Prepare ad hoc reports and trend analyses that keep category leadership informed of market shifts and competitive activity.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a quantitative field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of category management, retail analytics, or CPG sales support experience, with direct exposure to syndicated data programs.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret household panel, POS, and scan data to develop actionable category or brand recommendations.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including financial forecasting and the ability to work across large, multi-source data sets.
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting findings to retail buyers or internal sales leadership.
• Organizational and project management skills sufficient to manage multiple concurrent reporting cycles and ad hoc requests.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and presentation applications at an advanced level, including dashboard construction.

• Category Management certification from a recognized industry body, such as CPSA or a retailer-sponsored program.
• Experience with space management tools used to build or evaluate planogram scenarios for retail shelf sets.
• Background in grocery, home center, or mass-channel retail with familiarity in retailer-specific loyalty or scanner data portals.
• Exposure to SKU rationalization methodologies or assortment optimization processes within a CPG or retail buying environment.

• Category review acceptance rate, measured by the share of submitted reviews adopted by retail buyers.
• Promotional post-analysis turnaround time, tracking days from promotion close to completed lift report.
• Scorecard accuracy rate, reflecting the percentage of weekly and quarterly reports issued without material data corrections.
• Distribution gain contribution, counting net new items placed following category analyst-supported sell-in presentations.
• Syndicated data coverage ratio, measuring the share of assigned categories with current, maintained panel and POS reporting.
• Typical tools: Syndicated data platforms (commonly Nielsen or IRI); spreadsheet and visualization software (commonly Excel, Power BI, or Tableau).

• Base Salary Range: $55,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience and market.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Not standard at this level; may be offered at larger public CPG companies.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution rates vary by company size.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard US holidays.
• Common Perks: Professional development budget for category management certification; remote or hybrid flexibility common in CPG environments.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful completion of a background check is a condition of employment for this role, as candidates will have access to proprietary retail and financial data. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process should notify the recruiting team at any stage. Candidates must hold current authorization to work in the United States.

The Category Analyst owns the development and distribution of category and consumer analyses - spanning sales, assortment, shelving, pricing, and promotion - to convert shopper and trade insights into actionable strategies for key retail customers. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, and broker teams within the Consumer Brands Division, the Category Analyst builds syndicated data reporting and fact-based presentations that position the division as a thought-leading solution provider.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and bringing insights to the organization and customers in the areas of consumer and shopper behavior and trade performance.
• Develop and distribute category and consumer analyses including sales, distribution, merchandising, assortment, shelving, pricing, promotion, trends, rankings, and forecasts by brand and item to support the achievement of sales and marketing objectives.
• Develop and share in-depth knowledge of the industry, shoppers and shopper marketing, competitors, and retail customers.
• Provide guidance to key retailers to strategically manage space.
• Serve as liaison expert for the Sales team on research projects with vendor partners.
• Support Sales team in optimizing broker insight capabilities to bring more category and consumer knowledge to customers.
• Create and maintain syndicated data reports for use by internal Sales and Marketing teams and external broker teams to analyze and improve Consumer Brands Division business.
• Create and maintain syndicated tool product groupings to best view items.
• Assist in reporting for Governance meetings and presentations as requested.
• Prepare and publish periodic sales trends based on available Point of Sale from retailer and syndicated data.
• Assist Category Manager in managing relationships with syndicated vendors to maximize the use of these partnerships.
• Serve as liaison between Sales and Marketing to gain alignment around the structure and elements of syndicated data.
• Partner with Sales to elevate key customer relationships through the development and communication of fact-based insights presentations.
• Partner with Sales to construct Business and Category Reviews for key accounts.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing in the development of new item sell-in presentations.
• Support Sales in recommending account-specific support programs that drive category growth and build key customer relationships.
• Support Sales with reports and KPIs to communicate key trends with customers.
• Support Sales with broker management to help focus resources on driving growth.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Marketing desired or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of consumer packaged goods industry experience highly preferred.
• Previous Sales and Marketing experience a plus.
• Proven ability to interpret and draw relevant and actionable insights from various research resources and methodologies.
• Proficient in syndicated point of sale and household panel data, retailer-specific scanner and loyalty card data, or other proprietary data sources.
• Experience analyzing and representing large, complex data sets via visualization tools a plus.
• Proven technical excellence in Microsoft Office productivity tools including Word, advanced Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with key account Sales teams and Marketing to understand customer and consumer needs.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation ability.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Reporting to business unit leadership, the Category Analyst shapes the analytical models and quantitative methods used to solve complex financial, operational, and strategic planning problems, applying operations research, machine learning, and structured programming to drive measurable bottom-line contributions. Partnering with product delivery groups and working teams across the organization, the Category Analyst translates big data into actionable insights and delivers presentations that guide management decisions.

Primary Duties

• Develop the approach and methods to define and solve management problems through quantitative analysis and analytical models using operations research, statistics, machine learning, forecasting techniques, and structured programming languages.
• Provide ongoing analytical services to the business unit.
• Leverage understanding of business processes to identify and implement solutions that will result in significant bottom-line contributions.
• Participate in model design, prototype, and model development for several simultaneous efforts and interface with product delivery groups.
• Identify, research, and solve large complex problems using big data.
• Design analytic plans and develop hypotheses to test.
• Understand limitations of analysis and the intuition behind the numbers.
• Stay informed about the latest analytical methods and research.
• Communicate results to management.
• Contribute deck content and build the story for the deck with guidance to summarize findings.
• Speak in a manner appropriate for the working team and their level.
• Raise concerns when scope of analysis may not align with time available and choose an appropriate scope of analysis balancing ROI to time available.
• Identify solution quality risks and on-time risks.
• Understand the business value, process, and expectations before focusing on choice of a technical solution.
• Anticipate working team questions to data and approach.
• Develop and deliver presentations aligned with internal standards.

Skills & Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional experience in a financial analytical field.
• Experience with programming languages and structured programming for large-scale computer models.
• Background in manufacturing financial analyses.
• Experience in operations P&L, cost analyses, quantitative analysis, and application of advanced operations research and statistical methods.
• Coursework or work experience with mathematical programming or probability and forecasting techniques.
• Coursework or work experience in model prototyping using optimization toolkits or statistical packages.
• Coursework or work experience with structured programming languages such as C, C++, Java, R, or Python preferred.
• Knowledge of industry data sources.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office including VBA.
• Good business, technical, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills.
• Adaptability to changing business environments.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with clients.

Sitting at the intersection of sales strategy and data analytics, the Category Analyst builds client-specific reporting, runs syndicated data analysis, and constructs sales presentations that address real business issues for assigned accounts. Operating across sales and client-facing teams, the Category Analyst attends customer sales calls and leads team meetings that align category insights with client KPIs and evolving priorities.

Duties

• Provide analytical support for category management analytics and projects that include recommendations.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of client-specific reporting that measures performance against strategies and objectives.
• Build sales presentations using syndicated and other sources of data that address business issues.
• Set up and run team meetings with management and clients to discuss client needs and upcoming projects.
• Keep abreast of clients' KPIs, strategies, innovations, and other important information.
• Attend sales calls at assigned customers.

Required Qualifications

• Related work experience may be substituted for the educational requirement.
• Category Management Certification preferred.
• 1–3 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Windows and related software applications including Excel, PowerPoint, VB, and advanced macros.
• Experience with syndicated data and/or space management tools.
• Able to clearly and concisely communicate relevant information.
• Able to identify and leverage relevant data to diagnose situations and identify potential solutions.
• Able to effectively and independently conduct data mining utilizing CPG math concepts and tools.

Embedded within the Supply Chain function, the Category Analyst delivers sourcing strategies and supplier management programs that secure aircraft components, repair services, and consumables for internal and external operations at the lowest total cost. Working closely with Category Managers, Maintenance, and Regional Operations teams, the Category Analyst leads Tier 2 contract negotiations, price book development, and a cross-functional team of planning and purchasing contributors.

Core Functions

• Support Category Manager in gathering data for supply market analysis and cost modeling activities.
• Conduct spend analytics to support Category Manager.
• Analyze and manipulate multiple data streams to support sourcing strategy development.
• Look across categories to ensure the full global opportunity is addressed.
• Identify new sourcing approaches including utilization of alternative part numbers, repair schemes, surplus markets, and new sources.
• Support in the execution of RFXs including event setup, supplier engagement activities, and bid analysis.
• Support in the implementation of new contracts including price book development and setup.
• Lead negotiation and execution of Tier 2 contracts.
• Collaborate with Category Managers to identify and assess new sourcing projects including the development of potential savings opportunities.
• Create and manage price books.
• Manage relationships with Tier 2 suppliers including management of performance targets.
• Collect and analyze KPIs to support in the execution of the supplier management program.
• Lead category-wide planning and development of aircraft component staggering plans with suppliers, maintenance, and end users.
• Lead and develop a team of supply chain planning, sourcing, and purchasing individual contributors.
• Support Maintenance and Regional Operations by ensuring the right parts and services are delivered on time and at the lowest total cost.
• Expedite critical repair and new part orders to support aircraft return-to-service requirements.
• Track cost-saving initiatives.
• Provide oversight to relevant category leads for the purchase of aircraft components and consumables.
• Manage multiple projects depending on company initiatives and direction from Supply Chain leadership.
• Motivate and inspire team members by creating an environment oriented to trust, open communication, creative thinking, and cohesive team effort.

Qualifications & Experience

• Undergraduate degree required with a preferred focus in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in logistics, supply chain, accounting, economics, or financial analysis.
• Understanding of engines and proven background in reading teardown reports.
• Experience in concepts such as build for purpose.
• Supply chain and logistics management experience within a global environment preferred.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong leadership presence and credibility.
• Well-developed business acumen.
• Ability to think strategically while also serving as a hands-on team leader.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented with a focus on quality.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Collaborative problem-solving skills with the ability to envision a system-wide solution.
• Ability to strategically lead a cross-functional team in a rapidly evolving and dynamic environment.
• Exceptional project management skills.
• Demonstrated team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility in work hours due to geographical coverage.
• Strong business English.
• French is a plus.

A key member of the sales and supply chain support team, the Category Analyst leads inventory forecasting, sales reporting, and promotional intelligence to optimize category programs across the home center retail channel. Collaborating across Supply Chain, account management, and marketing teams, the Category Analyst uses point-of-sale and syndicated market research data to assess program efficiency and recommend improvements.

Functions

• Work with the inventory system and Supply Chain to optimally lead inventory and forecasting.
• Analyze and generate reports on sales data including weekly tracking reports, productivity reports, and ad hoc reports.
• Serve as the primary contact for data and analysis support for all requested reports.
• Coordinate intelligence on rebates, pricing adjustments, product and category tests, new product introductions, and promotions.
• Generate presentation slides and content to support the continuation and expansion of sales programs.
• Use point-of-sale data combined with syndicated market research data to assess the efficiency of existing programs and to recommend possible changes.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree recommended.
• 1–3 years of experience within a business-related field preferred with retail experience in the home center channel preferred.
• Proven experience in business data analytics with a strong understanding of correlation and causality.
• Sophisticated knowledge of applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office, and Power BI desirable.
• Ability to build long-term customer relationships and influence others.
• Ability to continually improve and refine reports over time by proactively engaging with account and marketing team members to assess their needs.

Accurate category strategy and supplier performance tracking depend on the Category Analyst, who accesses, verifies, and organizes market trend data, competitive intelligence, and sales figures to identify business performance gaps and growth opportunities across assigned categories. Based within the merchandising function and working alongside vendors, suppliers, and the category manager, the Category Analyst maintains scorecards, dashboards, and promotional tracking tools that keep category plans on course.

Accountabilities

• Provide business and customer insights and internal intelligence research to support the development of category strategies, forecasts, and performance reporting.
• Develop and maintain dashboards to support the business utilizing various analytics software.
• Develop analytical and quantitative secondary research support to the business by accessing, verifying, and organizing sales data.
• Support the merchandising team by accessing, verifying, and organizing internal intelligence and sales data using a variety of sources.
• Work with vendors to track performance against category business plans under the guidance of the category manager.
• Gather industry information with the support of vendors and suppliers to compare to company data.
• Track compliance against category business plans and store execution opportunities.
• Track results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit, and share growth or contribution.
• Maintain weekly, quarterly, and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars, supplier performance, and share of each category.
• Provide data support for the merchandising team, ad item selection, and event planner processes.
• Balance competing priorities, eliminate duplication of effort, streamline requests, and prioritize tasks.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, marketing, or similar quantitative field or acceptable equivalent experience.
• Financial, mathematical, statistical, marketing, merchandising, and consumer research background to read, interpret, and understand how internal and external factors influence financial results.
• Knowledge of syndicated data sources and their applications.
• Financial forecasting and budgeting skills.
• Organizational and project management skills.
• Strong math and analytical skills.
• Ability to work across vast amounts of data from different data sources.
• Advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, including building dashboards in Excel.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Excellent management and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and work with others to achieve desired results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

As the Category Analyst, this role delivers sales and marketing analysis tools that support field sales, management, brokers, and customers in meeting category and overall company profitability targets. The sales and marketing organization relies on this work to produce planogram recommendations, panel data reports, and promotional pre- and post-analysis that translate shopper and scan data into fact-based selling stories.

Key Deliverables

• Assist in sales and profitability through analysis of performance data.
• Analyze and assess category and brand performance to develop enhanced marketing and sales plans and promotions.
• Analyze data, make fact-based recommendations, and track performance of sales and marketing plans and objectives.
• Utilize syndicated data, consumer data, internal data, and shopper data to uncover opportunities and provide analytical recommendations.
• Prepare and analyze standard shipment, retail sales, and panel data reports including charts and graphs by providing summary and detailed analysis of key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Assist in developing business presentations and sales proposals.
• Collaborate with field sales to develop selling stories to effectively communicate brand and product performance to customers.
• Assist in pre and post analysis and provide recommendations on promotional activities and sales events.
• Assist in development of planograms and make shelving recommendations.
• Perform regular weekly, monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reporting and analysis.
• Ensure retail feedback is considered by attending customer appointments as needed.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities for data sources, analytical tools, software packages, and business functions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business or equivalent from a four-year college, or MBA preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• 1–5 years of related experience.
• Experience and background in scan data analysis and direct grocery account sales highly recommended.
• Ability to read and comprehend detailed instructions, correspondence, reports, and memos.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other business software.
• Ability to speak effectively with a variety of people and respond to questions with common courtesy and tact.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work within a team concept.

Category Analyst builds the analytical frameworks and SKU-level insights that help buying teams optimize assortment, identify new item and supplier opportunities, and quantify growth initiatives across all retail categories. Success in the position means translating sales and industry data into clear recommendations presented to Purchasing leadership, while supporting store operations and cross-departmental strategic planning independently and collaboratively.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Work with buying teams to analyze item opportunities within specific categories to ensure the best assortment possible to drive sales.
• Focus on SKU rationalization to optimize everyday assortment.
• Compare sales data to the industry to identify new item, supplier, and category opportunities.
• Proactively develop and quantify business growth opportunities from data analysis and present findings and insights to Purchasing leadership.
• Support long-term strategic growth initiatives, planning, and general business analysis both independently and with other departments.
• Identify and pursue additional merchandising and product-driven analysis and initiatives to drive growth.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis related to regional sales opportunities.
• Work with store operations to communicate best practices around category merchandising and signage.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of relevant work experience focused on analytics such as Retail Category Management, Consulting, or FP&A.
• Category Management certification is a plus.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Excellent at structuring analysis and identifying key metrics to reach an answer.
• Ability to analyze data and distill to key insights in a presentation.
• Expert Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Creative, innovative thinker with an inquisitive nature.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across all departments and at all levels.
• Self-starter able to manage own work with keen attention to detail.
• Strong interest in retail.

The Global Category Analyst owns end-to-end project leadership for indirect category RFx processes, supply market intelligence, and strategic sourcing pipeline development spanning categories that include Marketing, Technology, Professional Services, Travel, and Facilities. Working closely with Category Managers and internal business partners across a multinational procurement function, the Global Category Analyst applies should-cost models and benchmarking analysis to evaluate supplier competencies and advance sourcing recommendations.

Role Responsibilities

• Direct project management of key stages in the strategic RFx process.
• Gather insights from the analysis, consolidation, and scoring of vendor proposals and make recommendations to Category Managers and business partners.
• Conduct category spend analysis utilizing data from spend analytics platforms and external market data.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of recommended sourcing projects for the strategic sourcing team.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and benchmarking analysis.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement processes and maintain procurement ethics in accordance with global policies.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• PMP certification.
• 5+ years of relevant, strategic, indirect sourcing experience.
• 7+ years of strategic sourcing experience, preferably including 5+ years in an indirect procurement function at a multinational corporation with global contracts.
• In-depth understanding of best-in-class procurement practices including category management, benchmarking, should-cost models, and RFx.
• Strong project leadership skills including the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organization, and time management.
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen including the ability to distill, synthesize, and draw conclusions from large amounts of data.

Reporting to the Senior Category Manager, the Category Analyst refines procurement category strategy by analyzing spend data, supporting RFP development, and executing negotiation and award strategies that drive new supplier and buying channel implementation. Partnering with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams, the Category Analyst serves as a change agent for Procurement and applies vendor performance management tools to improve supplier consistency and reliability.

Job Functions

• Work with Sr. Category Manager to plan and coordinate activities necessary to accomplish category business plans.
• Understand, review, and report on all key reports to contribute to cost improvement efforts.
• Analyze spend data and provide updates on key category metrics, savings, and compliance targets.
• Audit and update supplier compliance and savings tools.
• Become subject matter expert on assigned categories.
• Collect baseline data from internal reports and complete current state analysis.
• Partner on drafting documents and RFP buildout.
• Understand and execute negotiation tactics and award strategy to drive new supplier and buying channel implementation.
• Act as change agent and advocate for Procurement as a value-added function.
• Participate in supplier meetings to develop partnerships with new suppliers and improve existing supplier relationships.
• Implement process improvements and cost savings ideas with suppliers.
• Utilize vendor performance management tools and reports to improve consistency and reliability of suppliers.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 1–2 years of Category Management Analysis experience preferred.
• Skilled in change adoption, change management, and resource assessment.
• Apply flexible approaches to achieving category management results in dynamic situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Project, Excel, and Access.
• Ability to work independently with an energetic and self-motivated approach.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Sitting at the intersection of shopper research and category strategy, the Category Analyst delivers in-depth brand analysis, planogram design, and assortment recommendations that shape growth stories and category reviews for assigned accounts. Operating across internal and external sales teams, the merchandising function, and the category management process, the Category Analyst builds market trend insights and category presentations that connect retailer-specific data to on-shelf execution.

Areas of Ownership

• Provide detailed category and brand insight.
• Conduct regular business performance reporting and tracking.
• Assist with development and implementation of assortment, merchandising, and pricing recommendations for assigned accounts.
• Provide category team analytical and administrative support including business reviews and database management.
• Provide market insights through the collection of relevant local and global market trends and shopper research techniques.
• Engage directly with internal and external sales teams on category presentations.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Management, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in a Sales, Marketing, or Analyst role.
• Demonstrated skills working on projects and analytic analysis including brand insight and category planogram design.
• Experience in a CPG environment.
• Direct customer experience.
• Experience using retailer-specific data platforms.
• Experience utilizing POS, panel, and other consumer-based data providers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Self-motivated with excellent communication and organization skills and the ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written presentation skills with the ability to analyze data and communicate insights to both internal and external audiences.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

A key member of the Cost Management team, the Category Analyst leads financial analysis, trend identification, and reporting tool development to deliver gross margin improvements across key sales programs for the Commercial and Industrial sales organization. Collaborating across purchasing, sales leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders, the Category Analyst drives system enhancements and business analytic capabilities that support the Sr. Director of Cost Management in achieving category and company business goals.

Work Activities

• Work on projects supporting gross margin cost improvements, financial analysis on key business issues, and reporting.
• Drive system enhancements and user training relating to category management projects.
• Maintain project plan and key milestones to ensure timeline and budget achievement.
• Identify, interpret, and analyze trends to achieve company business goals.
• Develop reporting capabilities and monitor the system to identify areas of improvement for sales and category teams.

Professional Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in business analytics, change management, and/or process improvement.
• Proven working experience as a data analyst or business data analyst.
• Ability to conduct cost and benefit analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft application experience.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Embedded within the category leadership team, the Category Analyst produces pricing strategy analysis, promotional tracking, and margin management tools that convert financial targets and competitive data into actionable reports for retail markets and categories. Working closely with merchandising, IS, and department management, the Category Analyst develops forecasting tools, maintains weekly and trimester scorecards, and oversees ad entries and vendor promotion approvals to keep category performance on plan.

Scope of Work

• Provide business, customer insights, and competitor intelligence to support the development of category strategies, forecasts, and performance reporting.
• Identify and validate opportunities within a given category, market, or division using category roles, competitive pricing, frequency reports, elasticity reports, market data, and other sources.
• Provide analytical and quantitative secondary research support to the business by accessing, verifying, and organizing market trend, competitive intelligence, and sales data using a variety of sources.
• Plan and execute data mining, trend analysis, and ad hoc data analysis activities with a strong focus on operations and sales studies to identify alternatives for improving business practices, efficiencies, and profitability.
• Collaborate with merchandising team to develop and implement base pricing strategies, rules, and parameters.
• Interpret trends and spot opportunities to improve sales and profitability.
• Conduct special merchandising and business-related research and cooperate with other departments in the preparation of analysis.
• Review and analyze processes and contribute to making them efficient to reduce costs.
• Compile, develop, and prepare reports, graphs, and charts of findings.
• Maintain pricing and sales system information to ensure that performance reporting contains accurate information.
• Develop tools to provide forecasts and projections for sales and margin management and utilize the tools to identify opportunities to improve margin and track margin performance to annual operating plan targets.
• Update and review all key promotional pricing metrics and prepare recommendations for action as needed.
• Provide data, support, reporting, and analysis for trimester planning.
• Track results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit, and share growth or contribution.
• Maintain weekly, quarterly, and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars, and share of each category.
• Coordinate promotional plans including ads and displays and merchandising messages within the department as assigned.
• Maintain regular scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars, expense reduction, or other projected benefits of implemented improvement initiatives.
• Work with management and IS on automating performance metrics, audit reports, and pricing programs currently managed manually.
• Oversee ad entries, ad play, and SRP determination.
• Review and approve vendor promotions.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 3+ years of analytical experience in category management, retail, wholesale, general business, or financial analysis required.
• Knowledge of syndicated data sources and their applications a plus.
• SQL, VBA, or Alteryx knowledge a plus.
• Strong quantitative skills with the ability to compile and analyze data.
• Strong math and analytical skills.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office products including Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work across vast amounts of data from different data sources.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Systems-oriented with a preference for working with new tools and a self-motivated, detail-oriented approach.
• Ability to present results of analysis, data models, and other projects to management in a concise and professional manner.