Space Planning Analyst

GPM Investments, LLC•Remote,

22h•Remote

About The Position

The Space Planning Analyst develops, maintains, and executes planograms that support category strategies, assortment decisions, and operational excellence across the store portfolio. This role partners with Category Management, Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Construction, and Store Teams to translate merchandising strategies into accurate, executable planograms and floorplans. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, proactive, and communicates issues early to support successful execution.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, space planning, or a related field.
Strong attention to detail, organization, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proactive approach to raising concerns.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to work with large data sets, assortment files, and business applications.
Ability to learn new systems, tools, processes, and merchandising strategies.
Ability to pivot quickly while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and execution readiness.
Demonstrate ownership and accountability for assigned categories and deliverables through completion and resolution.
Identify and communicate risks, roadblocks, and execution concerns upfront rather than after impact occurs.
Understand that identifying and communicating issues early is just as important as resolving them. Problems escalated in advance can be managed; problems discovered after impact are far more difficult to correct.
Balance speed, accuracy, flexibility, and execution readiness while priorities and business needs change.
Continuously learn and contribute to a culture of collaboration, improvement, and operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting merchandising, retail operations, construction, or fixture-related projects.
Understanding of retail merchandising principles, assortment application, category management, and space optimization.
Experience applying assortments across multiple retail formats and category types.
Comfort communicating and collaborating across diverse functional teams.
Capacity to learn multiple computer systems and web-based applications.
Blue Yonder (JDA) Category Management Suite preferred, including Space Planning, Floor Planning, CKB, and Space Automation, but not required.

Responsibilities

Create, maintain, and update planograms across multiple categories, store formats, resets, seasonal transitions, promotional programs, and new item introductions.
Apply approved assortments accurately while ensuring alignment with merchandising strategies and space planning standards.
Validate fixture compatibility, capacities, adjacencies, shelf allocation, product placement, and operational practicality.
Complete quality assurance reviews to ensure planograms are accurate, executable, and ready for store implementation with minimal clarification or rework.
Maintain planogram libraries, documentation, and version control standards.
Translate category assortment decisions into executable merchandising plans across applicable store formats.
Evaluate assortment changes for space, capacity, fixture, and operational impacts and communicate concerns before implementation.
Partner with Category Managers to resolve assortment challenges and support testing of new merchandising programs and category initiatives.
Provide timely support to stores and field teams regarding planogram execution, assortment questions, and space-related concerns.
Research and resolve product placement, capacity, fixture, and merchandising issues with urgency and ownership.
Analyze store-specific challenges and recommend solutions that support store operations and category objectives.
Communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively with business partners, keeping stakeholders informed of issues, decisions, and impacts.
Identify risks, roadblocks, and execution concerns early; escalate with sufficient context and proposed solutions when appropriate.
Collaborate with Category Management, Operations, Marketing, Construction, Supply Chain, and Store Teams.
Participate in category reviews, assortment discussions, project meetings, and merchandising strategy sessions.
Analyze assortment, capacity, product spacing, adjacencies, and space utilization to support decisions and identify opportunities.
Maintain accurate records and supporting data within company systems and contribute to required reporting.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, standards, documentation, training materials, accuracy, and execution efficiency.
Participate in testing and implementation of new tools, technologies, and business processes.