Category Analyst

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our associates and their families, our partners, our communities and our customers. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for employment. If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, we will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy, and where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the company pursuant to applicable law.

Outcomes:

• Deliver analysis of category performance in the following areas: Sales, Gross Margin, Service Levels, Inventory Performance, Program Design and Execution.
• Assist the category director in development of comprehensive Category Business Plans that are consistent with the company's overall goals and tenets.
• Develop and maintain appropriate scorecards for measuring category performance.
• Assist the Category Director in development of comprehensive marketing and merchandising strategies for assigned categories.
• Establish and maintain the relationships with manufacturers and brokers required to facilitate effective category management.
• Assist and advise the Category Director in the vendor negotiation process to achieve the best possible cost of goods, vendor-supported programs, and corporate programs.
• Assist the Category Director in developing plans for assigned categories to insure the growth and competitiveness of our retail locations by driving customer traffic and creating incremental sales opportunities.
• Maintain the appropriate item mix to achieve the category sales and profit objectives while attaining SKU level goals. Develop a retail pricing strategy to insure competitiveness, profitability and consumer credibility.
• Work with the procurement staff to help them achieve their targeted inventory level and service level objectives.
• Coordinate new item and product packaging development, monitor compliance with established product specification levels and monitor performance against forecasted goals.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance and adherence for all company policies and procedures.
• Assist in development of store assortment plans and retail plan-o-grams.
• Monitor assigned categories' defectives programs, provide supportive detail to accounting, establish and coordinate RTVs, and provide ongoing defective program support and execution.
• Review distribution channels and make recommendations for improvement.
• Assist in developing and executing exit strategies for under-performing inventories.
• Assist assigned Category Director in the completion of administrative functions that may include:
• Report preparation
• Produce pinups
• Produce merchandise bulletins
• Produce e-pack entries
• Schedule vendor meetings
• Preparation of vendor meeting packets
• Agreement/COI compliance
• Screen vendor calls
• Answer Customer Service calls
• Filing
• Preparation of Presentations
• Leadership summit preparation
• Survey tracking and follow-up
• Track vendor rebates

Essential Competencies:

Communication: This position requires strong verbal and written communication skills. Category Analysts must work with all levels throughout the organization as well as with vendors and customers outside of Leslie's. They must be able to create well-written, professional correspondence and documentation.

Data Preparation /Analysis: Category Analysts are responsible for producing reports that are accurate and comprehensible to the team to ensure that company goals and initiatives are achieved. Category Analysts must be able to quickly analyze data and provide recommendations to the Category Director.

Attention to Detail: Category Analysts provide support in areas of product knowledge as well as merchandising strategies. They must provide information and answers that are accurate and complete to ensure that the operations team can execute the proposed program.

Time Management: It is imperative that the Category Analyst effectively manages their work schedule in order to achieve desired results. They need to be effective in setting up and attending meetings with staff, vendor partners, special committee's as well as any other meetings that are scheduled. Category Analysts must also be competent in managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Superior Customer Service: Category Analysts must possess an attitude of serving others and helping them grow and develop. They should strive to provide the best possible environment for their customers and be responsive to requests from the operations team, vendors, and Leslie's corporate office staff.

Sound Judgment: Category Analysts are required to exercise good judgment when making decisions that are in the best interest of the company and the team members involved. Category Analysts are also required to make recommendations to Category Directors to achieve company initiatives in an honest and ethical manner.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business or other related field
• 1-2 years experience in a corporate retail environment.
• High Computer Proficiency (Access, Excel, Word) and experience with enterprise / POS systems
• Strong interpersonal / communication skills required to work cross functionally with multiple business areas
• Exceptional attention to detail and time management skills - ability to manage multiple detailed projects
• High proficiency in analytics and problem solving
• Must be able to adapt quickly to new computer programs
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Highly desired are familiarity/working knowledge with SQL
• Proficient with data and financial modeling and forecasting