CATEGORY SPECIALIST

Duration: _____ Months/__12 Months__weeks.

Currently seeking a Merchandising Analyst/Category Specialist (full time contract) to fill a position at Health Corporate in Woonsocket, RI. Prior merchandising, or buying position is preferred but not required. This individual will be responsible for contributing to budgeted sales, gross margin, and growing market share for the GM/Toy portfolio.

Skills: Must Have

• Thinks and Acts Strategically. Anticipates business opportunities and challenges.
• Drives speed and innovation. Challenges self and the organization to seek and promote leading edge solutions, create new opportunities, and be the market-maker.
• Manages and develops self. Seeks opportunities, guidance, and feedback to develop own knowledge, skills, and capability.
• Contributes to high-performing teams. Works together in a committed way to achieve a common mission.
• Impacts and Influences Others. Skillfully persuade others to support important initiatives, gain alignment with our strategy and goals, and act in the best interests of the company.

Experience: Responsibilities of the CATEGORY SPECIALIST

• Contribute directly to sales and margin goals for Toy category.
• Analyze relevant data and incorporate findings and recommendations into category strategies (i.e. optimal SKU mix; Extra care loyalty program; promotional planning) for merchandising programs from 1 to 3 years that reflect deep personal knowledge of our businesses, customers and clients.
• Drive tactical execution of day-to-day plan activities (i.e. build off-shelf plans, track promotional period and perform post appraisal to take corrective action if necessary).
• Collaborate with an internal team of CVS professionals in Pricing, Promotion, Marketing, Loyalty and Personalization, Visual Merchandising, and Finance
• Contribute to planogram reset process (strategy and execution)
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to collaborate on effective promotional offers, events, and off shelf opportunities. Manage all promotional ad adjustments and display programs.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of current competition. Search out new competitive opportunities and make recommendations.
• Keep abreast of changes in the market. Research customer product preferences, supplier prices and the competitive environment.
• Always looking for new white space opportunities.
• Become an expert in all internal tools and reporting databases.
• Thoroughly review all monthly promotional offers to ensure accurate data is submitted.
• Track effectiveness of promotional plans, continually adjust plans as the business changes to ensure accurate forecasting.

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Strong working knowledge of retail math concepts and demonstrated application.
• Proven ability to implement strategies and use negotiation tactics to grow sales.
• Technical experience in MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; some Access or other database knowledge.
• 1-2 years of experience in a CPG manufacturing company, retail organization, or in an analytical, merchandising, or buying position is preferred but not required.