Category Analyst (REMOTE) at Essendant Co. in Deerfield, Illinois

Job Description:

Major Responsibilities

Analytics:

• Analyze SKU-level and supplier-level performance within a set of merchandise categories.  This includes, but is not limited to category trends, key supplier dynamics, EBITDA economics at the SKU level, historical evolution of cost and margins


• Provide market and industry insights on top performing items purchased in the market and by customers


• Perform competitive benchmarking (assortment, SKU distribution) in specific product categories


• Identify cost and margin opportunities across SKUs and suppliers (e.g., cost gaps, profit gaps, productivity gaps) and guide Merchants in prioritizing for impact


• Execute "what if" scenarios on proposed assortment changes or share shifts before completing assortment decisions, partnering with Inventory, Pricing, Sales & Marketing


• Craft analytical materials to be shared with suppliers during supplier negotiations, category reviews and assortment discussions

Item lifecycle management:

• Develop criteria for adding new items; Provide oversight for execution of process


• Reporting on new item performance and monthly / quarterly discontinuation review process (ongoing “tail trimming”). Provide project management to ensure execution of process

Other:

• Work on special projects, ad hoc analysis, and initiatives related to assortment performance and COGS management


• Understands and demonstrates Essendant's Core Values


• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills/Knowledge

• Understanding of Merchandising business processes and their influence on organizational performance and profitability is preferred


• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills required


• Strong Financial skills required, including the ability to gather, analyze and organize complex data, and draw conclusions


• Proficient verbal and written communication skills required (effectiveness with PowerPoint a plus)


• Strong project management skills preferred


• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines required


• Ability to work cross-functionally and build & maintain effective relationships particularly with Merchant teams required


• Strong attention to detail required


• Expert abilities in Microsoft Office Suite software including MS Excel and PowerPoint, and Word.


• Expert knowledge of business intelligence tools and languages required, preferably  SQL, Power BI, OLAP, Power Pivot, Hyperion

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Finance, Mathematics, or related quantitative discipline.


• 2 – 5 years of applicable work experience preferred.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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