Manager, Data & Analytics

POSITION PURPOSE

The Manager of Category Insights and Analytics leads a team responsible for compiling internal and external data, analyzing, and interpreting the information, and creating recommendations on achieving category development objectives. This position provides strategic, consultative category guidance to deliver market leading growth across all formats. The Manager generates insights and actionable recommendations, while leveraging effective communication and influencing skills. The Manager provides strategic direction for developing robust insights and KPI reporting for senior leadership and the merchandising team. This job classification requires advanced retail, inventory, and pricing knowledge with an analytical curiosity to drive improved results and the proven ability to formulate marketing plans that support department objectives and goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Responsible for the management and oversight of the daily operation of the Category Analytics team initiatives, including guiding team to achieve milestones, reviewing progress, communicating priorities and reporting status.
• Directs team strategy for conducting research, producing analyses, and recommending actions to optimize category sales and margin performance.
• Conducts effective research and analysis of category performance including forecasting category sales targets, product placement, assortment, and promotional lift analysis.
• Gathers and analyzes category performance across a variety of indicators, including sales, gross profit, margins, and market share. Obtains data from a variety of internal and external sources, including internal databases, syndicated sales data software (AC Nielsen tools), and from vendors and manufacturers.
• Assists Category Manager in analyzing item assortment and creates recommendations for efficient assortment.
• Partners with Merchandising team to develop solutions for product promotion, pricing, and shelf-placement.
• Coordinates with Sales Planning Specialist to develop recommendations on promotional items. Develops post-event performance analyses by item within the category. Provides feedback to Category Managers.
• Supports the development of the annual category strategic plans.
• Monitors and produces weekly periodic KPI category metrics reporting. Creates ad hoc reports as requested.
• Responsible for tracking consumer and product trends.
• Tracks consumer and product trends. Evaluates the competitive changes in the different markets we serve. Assists Category Managers by identifying possible emerging trends observed during day-to-day analysis.
• Performs what-if analyses to assist in developing category marketing plans and to achieve sales and margin goals. Identifies and understands the competition’s impact on the category and provides recommendations to grow category market share.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective business relations.
• Attends category meetings with vendors, brokers, manufacturer representatives and professional trade groups.
• Maintains business relationships with all corporate functions to maximize efficiencies.
• Upholds the company’s professional reputation.
• Maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality regarding company operations.
• Provides leadership that represents Bashas’ Leadership Traits and our values to inspire and empower the team to accomplish work and meet business demands.
• Drives the execution of clear goals, metrics, and performance standards consistent with the overall business objectives.
• Interviews, selects, evaluates, and recognizes team member results and actions.
• Manages operational and fiscal activities of a department to include staffing levels, budgets and/or financial goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, finance or a related field and a minimum of five or more (5+) years of related analytical or retail sales/merchandising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in Category Management with a focus on industry trends, market research, business analytics and/or shopper insights.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Knows and applies the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of category management.
• Knows and applies financial/analytical skills as evidenced by successful college coursework or practical experience.
• Knows the fundamental concepts of sales and merchandising, promotion planning and category performance analysis.
• Understands consumer research methodologies and techniques.
• Understands competitor, brand, and supplier strategies along with thorough understanding of the