Job Description

Primary Purpose The Merchandising Analytics Analyst is responsible for providing fact-based and data-driven guidance to Essendant's Category Managers in selecting suppliers and assortment that result in increased sales, profit, and/or market share. This individual will be responsible for developing a deep understanding of Essendant's product categories and suppliers' overall dynamics, for analyzing our assortment's economics, and driving Essendant’s item life cycle management process.

Major Responsibilities

ANALYTICS:

• Analyze SKU-level and supplier-level performance within a set of merchandise categories.  This includes, but is not limited to category trends, key supplier dynamics, EBITDA economics at the SKU level, historical evolution of cost and margins
• Provide market and industry insights on top performing items purchased in the market and by customers
• Perform competitive benchmarking (assortment, SKU distribution) in specific product categories
• Identify cost and margin opportunities across SKUs and suppliers (e.g., cost gaps, profit gaps, productivity gaps) and guide Merchants in prioritizing for impact
• Execute "what if" scenarios on proposed assortment changes or share shifts before completing assortment decisions, partnering with Inventory, Pricing, Sales & Marketing
• Craft analytical materials to be shared with suppliers during supplier negotiations, category reviews and assortment discussions

ITEM LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT:

• Develop criteria for adding new items; Provide oversight for execution of process
• Reporting on new item performance and monthly / quarterly discontinuation review process (ongoing “tail trimming”). Provide project management to ensure execution of process

OTHER:

• Work on special projects, ad hoc analysis, and initiatives related to assortment performance and COGS management
• Understands and demonstrates Essendant's Core Values
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills/Knowledge

• Understanding of Merchandising business processes and their influence on organizational performance and profitability is preferred
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills required
• Strong Financial skills required, including the ability to gather, analyze and organize complex data, and draw conclusions
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills required (effectiveness with PowerPoint a plus)
• Strong project management skills preferred
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines required
• Ability to work cross-functionally and build & maintain effective relationships particularly with Merchant teams required
• Strong attention to detail required
• Expert abilities in Microsoft Office Suite software including MS Excel and PowerPoint, and Word.
• Expert knowledge of business intelligence tools and languages required, preferably  SQL, Power BI, OLAP, Power Pivot, Hyperion

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Finance, Mathematics, or related quantitative discipline.
• 2 – 5 years of applicable work experience preferred.

Company Description

Essendant is a pure wholesale distributor of a broad range of business products including office, janitorial, break room and industrial supplies. We “win from the middle of the supply chain” by enabling the success of our suppliers, our reseller customers, our associates, and the communities we serve. By stocking a broad range of products across key market channels, and by offering sophisticated logistical capabilities and innovative value-added services, we enable our resellers to respond efficiently to the demand for business products from millions of consumers. By giving our suppliers logistical excellence and broad market reach, we enable their success.