Merchandising Analyst

P.L. Marketing, Inc.•Newport, KY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Merchandising Analyst uses customer insights and competitive market data to drive sales, margin, and share growth for Kroger Our Brands products in assigned categories. The role provides analytical and technical support to Kroger Corporate Managers, including Corporate Category Managers, Category Strategy Managers (CSM), and Sourcing Managers, and supports development of sales plans and execution of promotions. The analyst recommends new products and merchandising opportunities, represents PLM and its suppliers professionally to Kroger, and facilitates communication among suppliers, vendors, and internal PLM team members. This is a hybrid position requiring work at the Corporate Office for at least one half day per week, according to the team’s schedule. The role researches consumer behavior and trends, supports data-driven sales planning, and develops grocery-industry, commodity-insight, and presentation expertise. It also helps Kroger personnel achieve sales goals by influencing pricing strategies, annual promotional campaigns, and period sales plans, and facilitates execution of promotional and merchandising activities at retail. The analyst works with sourcing managers on communication with division buyers and suppliers to support product inventory, and with Administrative Support Personnel to submit promotional contracts and changes accurately.

Requirements

Four-year degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Expert knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge of the internet, email, and web-based applications.
Strong organizational and teamwork skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively with audiences at all levels, from senior executives to administrative support.
Ability to prioritize and multitask.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to remain standing or sitting for several hours at a time.
Ability to lift 10–15 pounds occasionally.
Competencies include adaptability, building strategic working relationships, building trust, communication in English, customer focus, decision making, inclusion, initiating action, self-starter skills, and work standards.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Business, Statistics, Marketing, or Economics is preferred.
Two or more years of retail grocery experience is preferred.
Understanding of Corporate Brands and their role in Kroger’s strategy is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the sales planning process with internal and external data-driven insights.
Research consumer behavior and trends and share insights with key stakeholders within PL Marketing to support continuous improvement of Our Brands initiatives.
Continually learn new processes and data sources.
Develop expertise in the grocery industry through internal and external sources.
Develop the ability to present commodity insights and strategies to Kroger personnel.
Understand the role and process of Our Brands within Kroger’s Category Management Sales Planning process.
Use personal and PL Marketing team expertise to support Kroger Category Managers, Corporate Brand Managers, and Category Strategy Managers in achieving sales goals and objectives.
Influence development of pricing strategies, annual promotional campaigns, and period sales plans designed to achieve financial targets.
Communicate category sales plans and strategies to Kroger Division PLM teams.
Facilitate retail-level execution of promotional and merchandising activities in the sales plan.
Work with sourcing managers to communicate effectively with division buyers and suppliers and maintain a consistent flow of product inventory.
Work with Administrative Support Personnel to submit TradePoint promotional contracts, ESP, and cost changes accurately to reflect agreed-upon category team events.
Represent PLM and its suppliers professionally to Kroger and facilitate communication among suppliers, vendors, and internal PLM team members.