Merchandising Analyst 1

Clark Associates; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

PTO

401(k) matching

Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

Clark Associates in Lancaster, PA is seeking a Merchandising Analyst 1 to support the merchandising team with product assortment, pricing, and performance evaluation. This entry-level role focuses on building foundational knowledge of category economics, item setup, and reporting while completing tasks accurately and on time.

You will conduct research on industry trends, prepare negotiation materials, and support vendor initiatives, pricing strategy, and category web enhancements to improve the

Qualifications

• 0-2+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups).
• High attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Basic understanding of eCommerce platforms and product lifecycle.
• Communicates clearly and professionally within internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates quotes, supports sourcing decisions, and completes accurate new item setup with strong documentation and data integrity.
• Conducts industry, category, brand, item, and customer trend research to identify early insights and support merchant decision-making.
• Pulls and summarizes performance data to support negotiations, including category, brand, item-level, margin, freight, allowance, and rebate analysis.
• Prepares negotiation materials, summary insights, and recommendations for merchant review.
• Supports vendor initiatives by managing timelines, trackers, status updates, follow-ups, RFQ development, basic product testing, and vendor/product trainings.
• Executes Cost to Serve and pricing strategy support by pulling standard reporting, evaluating financial target metrics, and flagging low-margin, low-velocity, or pricing misalignment opportunities.
• Creates initial shopping documents and annotations for Operations to support accurate execution.
• Executes web enhancements and coordinates with Web Content to optimize category experience while following brand guidelines for launches and product improvements.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Attention to detail

eCommerce platforms understanding

Clear and professional communication

Reliability and consistency in deliver

Job description

Job Summary

The Merchandising Analyst 1 is an entry-level role that supports the merchandising team through building and maintaining product assortment, pricing, and evaluating performance. This role is focused on developing strong foundational knowledge of category economics, item setup, and reporting while executing assigned tasks accurately and on time.

Job Summary

The Merchandising Analyst 1 is an entry-level role that supports the merchandising team through building and maintaining product assortment, pricing, and evaluating performance. This role is focused on developing strong foundational knowledge of category economics, item setup, and reporting while executing assigned tasks accurately and on time.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates quotes, supports sourcing decisions, and completes accurate new item setup with strong documentation and data integrity
• Conducts industry, category, brand, item, and customer trend research to identify early insights and support merchant decision-making
• Pulls and summarizes performance data to support negotiations, including category, brand, item-level, margin, freight, allowance, and rebate analysis
• Prepares negotiation materials, summary insights, and recommendations for merchant review
• Supports vendor initiatives by managing timelines, trackers, status updates, follow-ups, RFQ development, basic product testing, and vendor/product trainings
• Executes Cost to Serve and pricing strategy support by pulling standard reporting, evaluating financial target metrics, and flagging low-margin, low-velocity, or pricing misalignment opportunities
• Creates initial shopping documents and annotations for Operations to support accurate execution
• Executes web enhancements and coordinates with Web Content to optimize category experience while following brand guidelines for launches and product improvements

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed while sitting/standing and interfacing with a personal computer.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
• Requires the regular use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
• Requires occasional bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching.
• Requires the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50lbs.

Remote Work Qualifications

• Access to a reliable and secure high-speed internet connection. Cable or fiber internet connections (at least 75mbps download/10mbps upload) are preferred, as satellite connections often cannot support the technologies used to perform day-to-day tasks.
• Access to a home router and modem.
• A dedicated home office space that is noise- and distraction-free. The space should have strong wireless connection or a wired Ethernet connection (wired connection is preferred, if possible).
• A valid, physical address (apartment, suite, etc.). PO Boxes are not supported, as a physical address is required for you to receive your computer equipment.
• The desire and ability to work and communicate with other team members via chat, webcam, etc.
• Legal residents of one of the following states: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY). H-1B Visa Sponsorship Not Available, W2 only.

Experience

• 0-2+ years of relevant experience

Education

This role does not require a degree. We value relevant skills and experience and alignment with our core values above all else.

Desired Traits & Skills

• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups)
• High attention to detail and organizational skills
• Basic understanding of eCommerce platforms and product lifecycle
• Communicates clearly and professionally within internal teams; asks questions early and seeks feedback
• Provides timely status updates to merchant or analyst lead
• Limited supplier communication, typically tactical and supervised
• Demonstrates reliability and consistency in deliverables; escalates issues appropriately

Company Overview

A rapidly growing, multi-divisional company headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with services supporting all of Clark's distribution methods in the food service industry.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• PTO
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Disability
• Dependent Care FSA
• 401(k) matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Incentives
• Company Discounts
• AT&T & Verizon Discount
• Bonus Opportunities
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Adoption Assistance

Available at HQ Locations Only

• On-Site Fitness Centers
• Dog-friendly Offices