Category Analyst

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Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The analyst is responsible for the functions below, in addition to other duties as assigned:

• Manage and analyze data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with category objectives.

• Utilize data sources and tools to conduct analysis of vendor performance, pricing, assortment, and other key metrics to inform decision-making.

• Develop category strategies by analyzing competitor data, pricing, and store visits to identify growth opportunities.

• Collaborate with teams to identify growth levers and develop actionable vendor plans that support category goals.

• Support negotiations with vendors to establish favorable terms and ensure alignment with both financial and strategic objectives.

• Prepare and respond to vendor inquiries, ensuring clarity and managing communications to maintain strong vendor relationships.

• Model alternative scenarios for category strategies and assess their impact on category performance.

• Finalize vendor offers and work with leadership to ensure alignment with business objectives.

• Support email negotiation processes by calculating vendor asks and customizing communications to drive successful contract closures.

• Onboard vendors to the negotiation process by hosting informational sessions and sharing necessary materials.

• Evaluate incoming vendor offers, negotiate responses, and follow up to ensure timely contract closure.

• Maintain an archive of vendor offers, negotiations, and communications for future reference and analysis.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may collaborate with and provide guidance to cross-functional teams, including Merchandising and Operations, to ensure the successful execution of category strategies.

Qualification Requirements

To be successful in this role, candidates must demonstrate the following skills and experiences:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Data Science, or related field preferred.

• At least 3-5 years of experience in category management, procurement, data analysis, or a related field, with a strong understanding of vendor negotiations and retail analytics.

Key Skills

• Proficiency in data cleaning, analysis, and categorization to inform decision-making.

• Strong understanding of competitive analysis, including pricing, assortment, and vendor performance.

• Experience with vendor negotiations, including preparing offers, assessing terms, and ensuring alignment with business goals.

• Ability to work with large data sets and make sense of complex information to drive strategy.

• Familiarity with negotiation tools, category management systems, and performance benchmarking.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, and draw meaningful insights to guide decision-making.

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to adapt to changing business needs.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to perform calculations involving percentages, margins, and other financial metrics relevant to category management and vendor negotiations.

Leadership and Organizational Skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, meet deadlines, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with a focus on detail and accuracy.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business documents, including vendor contracts, financial reports, and performance data.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with both internal teams and external partners.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required to visit vendors, suppliers, or retail locations as part of category strategy development and vendor negotiations.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to shape category strategies, drive vendor negotiations, and contribute to the overall success of the business. If you are a highly analytical, detail-oriented individual with a passion for data and strategy, we invite you to apply.

Other Skills, Abilities, and/or Training

The following qualities are required:

• Minimum age of 21 years old.

• Ability to pass drug test.

• Deep knowledge of category management principles in the small format retail environment, ideally experienced in the convenience retail channel.

• A thorough understanding of the retail consumer and how they engage and shop for retail food offers.

• Strong analytical skills using a data driven approach for decision making

• Committed to providing customer service that makes both internal and external customers feel welcome, important, and appreciated.

• Ability to preserve confidentiality of information.

• Ability and willingness to move with purpose and a strong sense of urgency.

• Accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of tasks/projects.

• Familiarity with industry/technical terms and processes.

• Ability to work within strict time frames and resolute deadlines.

• Demonstrate proficiency with the Microsoft® Office Suite (Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Windows 7).

• Ability to work weekends.

• Ability to work extended days.

• Ability to work day or evening hours.

• Typing speed of 40 WPM.

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations

This position requires a valid driver's license for business travel.

Weis Markets is an Equal Opportunity Employer:  Weis Markets is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of actual or perceived age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, familial status, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with a disability may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ways things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Weis Markets.