Lead Analyst Space and Assortment

Lead Analyst Space and Assortment

About the Company

Our company is a leading North American sales and marketing agency providing outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing solutions for manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food products.

We support a broad range of retail channels, including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty retail, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home improvement. By partnering with both manufacturers and retailers, we help bring the best products to consumers while driving growth and operational excellence across the marketplace.

Position Summary

The Lead Analyst Space and Assortment serves as a strategic partner to merchandising and client teams, leveraging consumer insights, analytics, and space planning expertise to optimize assortments, floorplans, and planograms. This role leads cross-functional collaboration, develops actionable recommendations, and drives merchandising strategies that enhance the shopper experience while supporting client business objectives.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical capabilities with deep space planning expertise and the ability to influence stakeholders through data-driven storytelling and strategic recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Analytics

• Lead cross-functional initiatives to align merchandising strategies with client objectives and business priorities.
• Analyze customer, market, and competitive data to identify trends, opportunities, and actionable insights.
• Interpret complex analytical findings and communicate recommendations clearly to diverse audiences.
• Develop assortment, floorplan, and space optimization strategies that support business growth and improve retail execution.

Space Planning & Merchandising

• Serve as the subject matter expert for space planning, planograms, floorplans, and merchandising analytics.
• Provide strategic guidance to merchandising teams on best practices related to product placement, category optimization, and space allocation.
• Create compelling merchandising presentations and recommendations designed to improve the consumer shopping experience.
• Partner with retailer and customer-facing teams to support meetings, validate recommendations, and ensure successful implementation of merchandising strategies.

Process Improvement & Project Management

• Manage and maintain space planning workflows, reporting processes, and analytical tools.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, data quality, and overall team effectiveness.
• Ensure timely execution of projects while maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality.
• Lead or support project teams by prioritizing workloads, coordinating deliverables, and ensuring consistent project completion.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to merchandising, analytics, and client teams.
• Build strong partnerships across departments and stakeholders to achieve shared business goals.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing support to team members as needed.

Reporting Structure

Direct Reports

• No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Indirect Leadership

• May provide guidance, coaching, mentoring, or project leadership to cross-functional team members and indirect reports.

Travel Requirements

• Travel and driving are not essential functions of this position.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

• 6-8 years of experience in space planning, planograms, floorplans, or category merchandising.
• Experience performing business analysis and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience within retail merchandising, consumer packaged goods (CPG), category management, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated success working with cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of space planning methodologies, assortment optimization, and merchandising principles.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear business recommendations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily office-based and requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the role in a sedentary work environment. Regular activities include:

• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Using a computer and related technology equipment.
• Communicating via phone, video conferencing, and email.
• Occasionally lifting or moving items up to 10 pounds.

This position will remain open until filled.

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