Merchandising Category Analyst, Healthy Consumables

If you are passionate about innovation and helping people on their path to better health, then bring your talents to a Fortune 4 company with over 8,000 retail stores. Our Merchandising team is currently seeking best-in-class candidates with fresh ideas, a passion for healthy food and beverage, and a desire to forge an exciting career path. The Merchandising Strategy Analyst, Healthy Consumables (Contractor) is an integral part of the Category Management team, managing many of the day-to-day operational activities and supporting long-term strategic initiatives. This role will leverage data to support decision making across food and beverage categories to drive sales and profitability and establish clear market superiority. They will work closely with supplier and distributor partners to ensure seamless integration and manage development and execution of promotional plans to deliver business growth. The ideal candidate is a skilled data analyst, with proven ability to transform complex datasets into actionable insights. Applicants should possess at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field and have a minimum of three to five years analytical experience in consumer goods or retail.

Position Function

This position is responsible for providing detailed business analysis to the Category Management Team. Analysis will include sales, margin, retail pricing, in-stock levels, promotional markdowns, seasonal performance, and trending of both internal and market level data, with a focus on healthy consumables. This position is also responsible for performing root cause analysis, problem resolution, category research and identifying potential strategic opportunities. The position will coordinate work streams related to item selection and set up; promotional, seasonal and off-shelf activities; vendor communication; strategic insight development; and reporting.

Responsibilities

1. Quantitative Analysis: Collaborate with the Category Management Team(s) to scope and plan any and all financial and quantitative analyses that will aid in day-to-day management of the business and yield critical answers to longer-term strategic questions. Understand the required data sets to complete the analyses and procure them accordingly. Manage the delivery of timely, zero-defect analyses to support insight development. Run ad hoc analysis upon request and provide actionable insights with recommendations for next steps

2. Product Management: Run Daily sales, seasonal reporting, weekly vendor reporting and analyze market data to assist in decision making. In addition, (a)Partner with Category Management teams to build promotional plans and activities related to everyday and seasonal businesses. Attend proofing meetings and partner with Merchandising Analytics to manage funding. (b)Attend seasonal meetings and work with Category Management teams to assist with item selection and coordinate all billing and end of cycle disposition. (c)New Item set up and maintenance for planogram and mid-year items. (d)Off-Shelf coordination of off-shelf programs with key suppliers, setting up programs and running off-shelf reporting. (e)Oversee price change activities.

3. Communication Development & Business Reporting: Communicate effectively, both verbally and on paper, to Merchandising and Cross-Functional teams throughout the organization. Partner with outside partners. Assist with communication and reporting on sales performance, seasonal sales and sell thru and ad planning. Distill findings and craft a succinct and powerful business case that effectively communicates actionable recommendations. Support the development of presentations for mid-level and senior executives. In addition to the above, this role will also support the development and execution of CVS’s Healthy Consumables strategy.

Qualifications

1. Business Analytical Experience: A minimum of three to five years analytical experience in a business environment. Ability to multi-task several concurrent requests and quickly pull together data.

2. Structured and Logical Thinking: The ability to dissect a problem into an organized approach, structure analysis, and develop recommended solutions providing actionable insights. Strong problem solver.

3. Analytical Rigor: The ability to run and manage quantitative analysis in a defect-free manner. Mastery of Microsoft Excel is expected in this role.

4. Passion for Retail and Healthy Consumables: A history of work and/or passion for the retail and health foods industry.

5. Powerful Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, succinctly, and professionally, both verbally and on paper. Aptitude for data-driven storytelling. Familiarity with Microsoft PowerPoint is ideal.

6. Team Collaboration: Motivated team player able to effectively collaborate with many individuals including the Category Merchandising team(s), Functional and Divisional Leaders, Cross-functional Support Teams, Field Management and Vendor Partners.

7. Educational Credentials: The right candidate will possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance or similar field.