Category Merch Analyst - West Region - CA/OR/WA

Job Overview:

The Category Merch Analyst will use financial targets and competitive data to provide business insights and recommendations to improve sales, operations, and profitability for markets and categories. Communicates analysis using comprehensive, easy-to-digest methods that will translate into impactful and actionable reports for category leadership.

What does it mean to be part of the Merchandising Team?

Whether it’s overseeing produce, bakery/deli, meat, center store, general merchandise, health, and beauty, this team manages and drives a category for the organization. A role in category merchandising involves business planning, financial analysis, pricing, participating in the review of assortment, shelf management, advertising promotions, negotiations with suppliers, and sourcing. A 100% unique approach, proven to increase sales and profitability. It’s having the right assortment of products, based on your customers’ demographics and lifestyle. Solid category strategies. Better customer satisfaction. More efficiency.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provides business, customer insights, and competitor intelligence to support the development of category strategies, forecasts, and performance reporting.
• Identifies and validates opportunities within a given category, market, or division using category roles, competitive pricing, frequency reports, elasticity reports, market data, and many other sources.
• Provides analytical and quantitative secondary research support to the business by accessing, verifying, and organizing market trends, competitive intelligence, and sales data using various sources such as Data Warehouse, Nielsen, and IRI syndicated data.
• Plans and executes data mining, trend analysis, and ad hoc data analysis activities, which will include a strong focus on operations and sales studies to identify alternatives to doing business to improve business practices, efficiencies, and profitability.
• Collaborates with the merchandising team to develop and implement base pricing strategies, rules, and parameters.
• Develops tools to provide forecasts and projections for sales and margin management and utilizes the tools to identify opportunities to improve margin and track margin performance to annual operating plan targets.
• Updates and reviews all key promotional pricing metrics and prepares recommendations for action as needed.
• As an ongoing effort, will work with management and IS on automating performance metrics, audit reports, and pricing programs that currently are managed and maintained manually.
  
  

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Finance, Accounting or related field.
  
  

Experience:

• 3 years of analytical experience in category management, retail or wholesale general business, or financial analysis experience required.
  
  

Knowledge:

• SQL, VBA, and Alteryx knowledge is a plus.
• Knowledge of Nielsen and IRI data sources and their application is a plus.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint.)
  
  

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and work across vast amounts of data from different data sources.
• Strong quantitative skills, with the ability to compile and analyze data, and strong math and analytical skills, as well as written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be systems-oriented, enjoy working with new tools, be a self-motivated and detail-oriented learner, and be able to present results of analysis, data models, and other projects to management concisely and professionally.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.
  
  

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

• This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.
  
  

Travel (minor):

• This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.
  
  

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during the normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.
  
  

About UNFI:

We are North America’s premier grocery wholesaler, delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned-brand products to community grocers and retail chains alike. A pioneer in natural and organic foods, we are growing and transforming to meet the needs of an evolving workplace. Our 29,000 employees work across America in our 50 Distribution Centers and corporate offices. Learn more: Organic, Natural and Conventional Food | Wholesale Food Distributors | UNFI

Benefits: Competitive 401k, Flexible PTO or Competitive PTO plan, Remote or Hybrid, Health benefits – first of the month following 30 days of employment, LTI, mentorship, and other benefits applicable to this role.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.