Country Analyst

JD Sports Australia & New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global sports fashion brand is seeking a Country Analyst in Auckland, New Zealand. This role involves turning data into actionable insights to optimize retail operations and inform product strategies. Candidates should have prior experience in retail management and strong analytical skills, particularly in Excel and reporting tools. The position offers competitive salary plus benefits such as birthday leave, staff discounts, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Birthday leave

Competitive salary

Paid parental leave

Referral bonus scheme

Career training and development

Staff discount

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in Senior Retail Management or Merchandise role.
• Strong analytical skills and confident with reporting tools.
• Solid understanding of retail trading from merchandising or store leadership.

Responsibilities

• Track local competitor activity and promotional events.
• Conduct weekly trade reviews focusing on sales and stock cover.
• Visit stores to validate stock data and customer feedback.
• Provide stock input based on local demographics.
• Compile weekly feedback report combining trade and store insights.
• Assess stock levels and manage inter-branch transfers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Retail trading knowledge

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Self-starter

Tools

Excel

Qlik

Tableau

Job description

Overview

Known best as the 'Undisputed King of Trainers', JD Sports reigns supreme as one of the biggest and best global sports fashion brands across footwear and apparel. Founded in 1981 in Greater Manchester UK, JD Group has achieved remarkable growth through rapid global expansion, now standing as the leading global sports fashion retailer. With over 3,400 stores worldwide, we strive to inspire the emerging generation through a captivating connection to the universal culture of Sport, Music, and Fashion. In 2017, JD Sports first launched within the Australian market and has since expanded to 60+ stores. We currently operate in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA & TAS, with plans for continued future growth. Our mission is to offer unparalleled service and style to all our consumers.

Working at JD Sports is a state of mind, an attitude and way of challenging the norm. We do not conform; we create our own path and are elite within our field. And now, we’re seeking talented and passionate individuals to join our team.

The Role

JD Sports is on the lookout for an analytical and driven Country Analyst to join our New Zealand team. This is your chance to turn data into decisions and insights into impact – helping shape efficiencies and drive strategy across our NZ stores and online business. From trade reviews and stock optimisation to spotting product trends and monitoring the competition, you'll be at the center of it all. Working closely with Retail, Merchandise and Buying, you’ll gather store feedback, validate merchandising, and guide smarter product and stock decisions. If you're commercially minded, thrive in a fast-paced retail environment, and love turning numbers into action – this role is for you. Reporting into the Managing Director of NZ, this role will be responsible for, but not limited to:

Responsibilities

• Market Monitoring & Competitor Insight
  • Track local competitor activity including store openings/closures and promotional events
  • Provide weekly insight into key competitor campaigns and price activity
  • Provide insights and details on promotional activities & product deliveries in the marketplace from competitors and suppliers
• Trade Analysis
  • Conduct weekly trade reviews focusing on KPIs such as sales, sell-through, and stock cover
  • Identify top- and under-performing styles by store and region
  • Monitor stock flow and sizing accuracy to ensure the correct store ranging and availability
• Store Engagement & Visits
  • Visit stores regularly to validate stock data, merchandise execution, and customer feedback
  • Partner with store teams to identify product opportunities or challenges
  • Ensure key company bestsellers are present and merchandised to standard
  • Capture qualitative feedback to support central team decisions
  • Liaise with store & area management teams to address areas of opportunity arising from store visits
• New Store Support
  • Provide range and stock input based on local demographics and market insights
  • Conduct post-opening reviews to optimise performance and learnings for future sites
• Reporting & Communication
  • Compile a structured weekly feedback report combining trade analysis and store feedback
  • Act as the main point of contact for all product-related queries from central teams
  • Support product strategy conversations with evidence-based insight
• Stock Management
  • Assess stock levels and option counts in line with store grading and customer demand
  • Manage inter-branch transfers (IBTs) to rebalance stock and minimise sell-out risk
  • Monitor replenishment cycles and flag issues proactively
  • Manage DC stock to improve productivity on end of lines, new lines & replenishments and ensure we maximise sales
• Sales Performance & Ranging
  • Track trends across branches and recommend adjustments to drive trade
  • Share actionable insights on space allocation and stock flow with central teams
  • Monitor .co.nz availability to ensure that all products in stock are available on the local website to consumers

Who You Are

• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in a Senior Retail Management position or Merchandise position within Retail
• Strong analytical skills, confident with Excel and reporting tools (e.g., Qlik, Tableau)
• Solid understanding of retail trading, ideally from a merchandising or store leadership role
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across departments and functions
• Commercially minded with good knowledge of local markets and customer behaviours
• Self-starter who thrives in a cross-functional and fast-paced retail environment

What’s In It For You?

• Birthday leave
• Be in the hustle and bustle of JD Sports! This role will be located in central Auckland and will be required to work out of our stores
• Competitive Salary
• One month paid parental leave
• Referral bonus scheme
• Training and development to evolve and shape your career
• Opportunity to progress across all areas of the business including Retail, Support Office and our Distribution Centre
• Treat yourself with our attractive staff discount! This can also be used for friends and family
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program & Mental Health champions

We are passionate about connecting with driven and skilled individuals who are invested in their development, so that together we can evolve our brand's success, alongside evolving your career. JD values diversity and inclusion and champions a culture where everyone feels, valued, included, and celebrated. What are you waiting for? Apply today and kick start your JD Sports Journey. Please note, by applying for this role, you consent to us completing a Work Rights check to verify your working rights where required.