Sr. Merchandising Analyst - Remote

United Natural Foods Inc.; Providence (RI); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNFI is seeking a Sr Category Merch Analyst to deliver actionable insights that drive sales, operations and profitability. The role focuses on pricing strategy, vendor analysis, and market data to build go-to-market plans with merchandising and sales teams.

The analyst will leverage Data Warehouse, Nielsen, and IRI data, perform forecasting and budgeting, and support cross-functional special projects. Remote work from the U.S. is supported with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of analytical experience in category management, retail, or finance.
• Strong knowledge of SQL, VBA, and Alteryx.

Responsibilities

• Provide business, customer insights and competitor intelligence for category strategies and forecasts.
• Identify opportunities within a category using pricing, reports and market data.
• Support research with data from Data Warehouse, Nielsen, and IRI.
• Conduct data mining, trend analysis, and ad hoc studies to improve practices and profitability.
• Collaborate with merchandising to develop pricing strategies and parameters.
• Interpret trends and spot opportunities to improve sales and profitability.
• Monitor vendor decisions, compliance, and performance; track category opportunities.
• Develop reports, graphs and charts of findings.
• Automate performance metrics and pricing programs with IS.

Skills

SQL

VBA

Alteryx

Nielsen data

IRI data

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing/Finance/related field

Tools

Data Warehouse

Nielsen data

IRI data

Job description

Job Overview:

The Sr 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.

The Sr Category Merch Analyst will create opportunities to grow sales and enhance operational information by maintaining pricing strategy by vendor and market and supplying analysis and information to generate opportunities. In addition, the analyst will leverage key research tools and other external data sources, to quantify U.S. product trends and help build go to market strategies alongside the merchandising and sales teams. This role will conduct financial and pricing analysis, forecasting, budgeting and work on special projects.

Job Responsibilities:

Core 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 trend, competitive intelligence and sales data using a variety of 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 of doing business to improve business practices, efficiencies, and profitability

• Collaborates with merchandising team to develop and implement base pricing strategies, rules, and parameters

• Interpret trends and spot opportunities to improve sales and profitability

• Conducts special merchandising and business-related research and cooperates with other departments in the preparation of analysis

• Monitors and tracks vendor decisions, compliance, and performance. Works with vendors to identify category opportunities and track performance against category business plans and store execution opportunities

• Reviews and analyzes processes and contributes to making them efficient to reduce costs

• Compiles, develops and prepares reports, graphs and charts of findings

• Maintains pricing/sales system information to ensure that performance reporting contains accurate information

• 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

• Provides data, support, reporting and analysis for trimester planning

• Tracks results at end of each promotion in terms of sales, profit and share growth or contribution

• Maintains weekly, quarterly and yearly scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars and share of each category

• Coordinates promotional plans (ads and displays), and merchandising messages within department as assigned by management

• Maintains regular scorecards to track sales, gross profit dollars, expense reduction or other projected benefits of implemented improvement initiatives

• 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

• Performs other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Education/Certifications:

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

Experience:

• 5+ years of analytical experience in category management, retail or wholesale industry or financial analysis experience required

• 8+ years of business experience (with at least 5 years of analytical experience)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• SQL, VBA, Alteryx knowledge

• Knowledge of Nielsen and IRI data sources and their application

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and provide guidance to other analysts

• Excellent financial research and analysis skills gained from academic background or equivalent work experience

• Completes highly complex analysis identifying trends, patterns, issues, and opportunities

• Ability to work across vast amounts of data from different data sources

• Strong quantitative skills, with the ability to compile and analyze data

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Strong math and analytical skills

• Must be systems-oriented, enjoy work with new tools, and be a self-motivated and detail-oriented learner

• Ability to present results of analysis, data models, and other projects to management in a concise and professional manner

• 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 of time 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 in the course of a normal workday.

• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected ground. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the job selection process. - Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Compensation:

UNFI anticipates paying the above-referenced pay rate (or within the above-referenced pay range) for this position. Actual Pay, where applicable, will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements. UNFI is committed to transparency in pay in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits:

For Washington positions (or positions that may be performed remotely from Washington), https://www.unfi.com/jobs-more-info-wa.html for Washington-specific paid time off details.

Candidates hired into this position will also be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs: Paid Time Off; Sick Time; paid holidays and parental leave; 401K Program; medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental death/dismemberment insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance program, Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Savings Account, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of these programs, and subject to any requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

UNFI’s compensation, benefits, and paid time off policies are subject to change in the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with applicable law. This job posting should not be construed as an offer of employment with certain terms, nor should it be construed as a guaranteed minimum.

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.