Category Analyst

Overview:

Support the Category team in delivering insights and analysis to Walmart. Assist in gathering and analyzing category, consumer, and market data to provide fact-based recommendations that inform assortment, shelf layout, space management, and merchandising decisions. This role focuses on building foundational category management skills while contributing to category growth initiatives. 

The Category Analyst will also support the National Account Managers by analyzing sales performance, maintaining customer data, preparing reports, and identifying business opportunities. This role works cross-functionally with Sales, Category Management, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance to improve customer performance and achieve company objectives. 

 

 

We kindly request that recruitment agencies and staffing firms refrain from submitting unsolicited resumes to our company. Any resumes sent without a prior agreement and access to proper submittal into the ATS will be considered the property of The Marzetti Company, and we reserve the right to contact those candidates without any obligation to pay a fee.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Category team and Walmart Buyer in the development of category objectives, strategies, and tactics 
• Assist in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with Walmart contacts and internal cross-functional teams 
• Support the modular drawing process, including data preparation, shelf layout updates, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with merchant strategies 
• Analyze shopper, consumer, and market data to identify trends and support development of insights and recommendations 
• Develop and maintain standardized reports and dashboards for customer meetings, category reviews, and ad hoc data requests 
• Assist in tracking and reporting category performance metrics across formats 
• Ensure data accuracy and consistency across reporting tools and systems 
• Support National Account Managers with customer presentations, business reviews, and planning. 
• Track promotional performance, pricing, and trade spending. 
• Assist with sales forecasting and demand planning. 
• Maintain accurate customer, pricing, and product information in internal systems. 
• Monitor sales against budgets and forecast variances. 
• Prepare ad hoc analyses and recommendations for senior leadership. 
• Support new product launches and customer-specific initiatives. 
• Ensure data integrity across all reporting systems. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or related field required 
• 0–2 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods, analytics, sales support, or market research (internships applicable) 
• Basic proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Retail Link, Circana/IRI, Cintilla, or similar tools preferred 
• Strong analytical skills with ability to organize and interpret data 
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks 
• Strong communication skills with ability to clearly present data and insights 
• Eagerness to learn and develop category management and analytical capabilities 
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment 

Competencies:

• Customer Focus 
• Decision Quality 
• Drives Results  
• Collaborates  
• Nimble Learning 
• Manages Ambiguity 

Working Conditions/Environment:

Works in a normal office environment where the employee is regularly required to speak, see, hear, sit, stand, talk, type, walk and bend while moving about the facility.  The noise level in the office is quiet. Occasional travel to plants or meetings is required.