Sr. Visual Merchandising Analyst

Job Description

Position will require four days a week at our Raleigh, NC HQ.

Job Summary:

The Sr. Visual Store Planner is responsible for partnering with Category Management and other cross functional leads to develop and execute merchandising strategies that drive incremental sales and gross margin for Advance Auto Parts through space productivity.  The Sr. Visual Store Planner will be an expert in system-based floorplan management & reporting, managing multiple project timelines, and upholding Advance Auto Parts merchandising guidelines. This role is also responsible for providing space planning guidelines to maximize efficient inventory replenishment principles, as well as sales driving plans, based on data analysis.   

What will you do?

Analysis (40%):

• Partner with Category Management on all space related analysis during line review process, including but not limited to: adjacencies, heat maps, sales productivity by store and POG version
• Identify space optimization opportunities on a macro level and lead execution of changes with IOM and Real Estate partners
• Effectively use Microsoft database applications, SQL queries, and Excel to pull and interpret reports.
• Understand Portfolio Role & Intent and what metrics are most effective to report against.

Communication (35%):

• Close partnership with merchandising and real estate counterparts & leads to establish project objectives and execution strategies
• Communicate effectively and professionally with strategic business partners across the organization.  Raise awareness of missed or at-risk milestones and propose an approach to course correction.
• Support Advance Auto Parts stores by (1) clearly articulating merchandising instructions accurately and (2) partnering with field TMs on Floorplan needs/responding to store requests via Service Garage with resolution within 24-48 hours. Communicate solutions and opportunities within the Category Management Timeline.   

Process (15%):

• Understand and adhere to Floorplan milestones. Understand and proactively prepare for Category Management/Planning milestones. Uphold basic Visual Merchandising guidelines and best practices. Be fluid and flexible to the needs of the business.

Floorplan Accuracy, Merchandising & Systems (10%):

• Execute Special Project floorplans as assigned and partner with field partners, as needed, to complete deliverables. Understand the basic mapping of floorplans in a system-based environment. Partner with the Planogram team to ensure the mapping of floorplans reflects current prototypes. Create Merchandising Floorplans that match the merchandising strategy and fit into the construction outlay. 

 Qualifications

• Proficient in the use of MS Office Products Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access
• Intermediate Blue Yonder Systems and/or SQL experience
• Intermediate AutoCad and/or Space Management experience preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage with various audiences
• Demonstrated ability to leverage critical thinking and problem solve using large data sets

Top 5 Required Technical Skills:

• Visual Merchandising: Acumen in optimizing the presentation of products and services to create a pleasing customer, while maximizing profitability.
• Merchandising Strategies: Understanding of merchandising strategies and techniques used to increase sales, such as product placement, fixture usage, promotions, advertising, and competitive pricing.
• Planogram Creation: Experience creating product planograms using visual merchandising software, ensuring accuracy in product skus, inventory required, fixtures needed, and product placement, while considering shoppability and profitability. 
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to complete tasks while paying attention to all areas involved, no matter how small, ensuring thorough and accurate execution.
• Business Acumen: Understanding how a business operates, including financial literacy, how an organization makes money, organizational knowledge, and short and long term growth strategies.

Top 5 Required Leadership Skills:

• Ownership: Sense opportunities and obstacles that create barriers to results
• Self-Development: View weaknesses as an opportunity to learn and grow; Actively work to improve weaknesses
• Innovate: Analyze advantages and disadvantages to new ideas
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