Analyst Assortment Planning

Job Summary: Responsible for the creation, maintenance, and optimization of visual merchandising planograms (POGs) utilizing Space Planning software. This role leverages sales, item, and category performance data to maximize retail space productivity, improve the customer shopping experience, and support strategic merchandising initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planogram Development: Designs visually appealing and execution-friendly planograms through a blend of Space Planning software and physical prototyping to streamline in-store implementation.

• Data Analysis: Analyzes sales, unit movement, margin, and category data to determine the optimal product assortment and capacity for each POG.

• Collaboration: Partners with Merchandising, Category Management, Sales and Vendor teams to understand strategic goals and translate them into actionable space planning layouts.

• Performance Tracking: Monitors and evaluates planogram item performance post-implementation, providing recommendations for layout adjustments based on productivity metrics.

• Database Integrity: Ensures all product dimensions, imagery, and fixture data are accurately maintained within the Space Planning database.

• Execution Support: Generates and distributes clear, concise planogram implementation instructions and visual guides for store or dealer networks.

• Other Duties: Performs other merchandising and analysis duties as required and/or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Software Proficiency: Demonstrated experience or proficiency with Blue Yonder (JDA) or equivalent Space Planning software. Basic photo editing skills using Photoshop or a similar software.

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to interpret retail math and performance metrics (e.g., sales per linear foot, weeks of supply, GMROI) to drive layout decisions.

• Technical Aptitude: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and experience handling large datasets; knowledge of MS Access or SQL is a plus. 

• Communication & Detail: Excellent organizational skills with a sharp eye for visual detail, alongside the ability to effectively communicate merchandising strategies to cross-functional teams.

• Autonomy: Ability to organize and establish priorities, work independently, proceed with objectives with minimal supervision, and consistently meet strict deadlines.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, Data Analytics, or equivalent retail experience preferred.

• Experience: 1–3 years of experience in retail corporate merchandising, space planning, space management, or category analytics.

• Travel: Requires travel as deemed necessary (valid driver’s license required). Must be willing to travel to company dealer markets, industry trade shows, or other trips as needed.