Category/sales Analyst

**CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER.** It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

**The Opportunity**:
The Category/Sales Analyst role is an opportunity to grow and expand knowledge within a dynamic “trend-based” external and internal customer account teams by providing insights and recommendations based on customer-specific, consumer/shopper, and market data analyses consumer/shopper, and market data. By proactively identifying opportunities and threats at the account level, you will play an integral part in the account teams’ strategic planning process and help improve productivity and execution at retail. This role will also lead the development of the initial customer shipment plan and maintain ongoing forecasts in collaboration with sales. Responsible for developing accurate item level forecasts with monthly flows based on consumer demand and within constraints of Mattel and the customer in to maximize volume and profit as well as minimize risk to inventory. This role is also instrumental in supporting the sales team and customer replenishment team in the areas of customer order fulfillment and planning. Strong analytical skills, a “can-do” attitude and the ability to work independently within a fast-paced environment is key.

**What Your Impact Will Be**:

- POS Analysis - Review account team performances via weekly scorecards using key operating indicators, including POS, margin, inventory, and share on a weekly basis, and identify opportunities, upside and risk.
- Weekly involvement with the sales team regarding forecasting, replenishment, joint business planning related to in-season execution for promotional planning and fulfillment, domestic and DI order reviews and chase/cancel. Regular attendance at business and account team meetings.
- Category/Customer Activity Analysis - Perform pre
- and post-analyses including but not limited to flyer activity, shelf space, market share, retail pricing bands, retail programs, competitive reviews and digital initiatives. Evaluate promotional effectiveness and make recommendations.
- Liaise with Trade Marketing Team, provide analysis support when required, and ensure the maximum ROI.
- Space Planning, Planogram/Productivity Assessment - Utilize Space Planning (JDA Space Planning) to build planograms, analyze and make spacing, assortment and forecasting recommendations based on retailer-specific strategies. Space Planning experience is an asset but not a requirement - an opportunity to learn on the job.
- Research, Insights & Recommendations - Leverage industry data (NPD), consumer & shopper insights to provide recommendations to improve sales and/or profitability, gain share and provide category solutions to the Customer. Proactively recommend and implement improvements to current processes
- Strategic Planning Projects - As required to address Business Unit, Account, Brand or Consumer/Shopper issues or opportunities.
- Internal and external forecasting - Work closely with the account managers to develop item forecasts to help maximize inventory levels and POS. In addition, communication with the account regarding recommendations for shipping opportunities.
- Determine appropriate item level forecasts and analysis, considering information such as total end consumer consumption forecasts, brand/product history, history of similar comparable brands/products, inventory levels and marketing programs.
- Analyze historical and POS data to improve the quality of the forecast
- Achieve the expected quality of inventory level and meets financial parameters
- Maximize customer fill rates and minimize vendor violation risk
- Create product flow patterns based on criteria such as seasonality, planned promotions, distribution and price point.
- Understand Forecast accuracy, prepare analysis, and identify key problem issues in advance.

**What We’re Looking For**:

- Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
- University degree in Business or Marketing (B.A., B.S. or B.COMM); MBA an asset
- Experienced with other software packages including Windows, Cognos and Microsoft Office as well as Advanced level of Excel skills.
- Strong numeracy and analytical skills
- Planogramming Software, Sales Insights, Analytics and Market Research experience an asset
- Experience and/or exposure to Cognos and NPD (Circana)
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with team-oriented approach
- Creative thinker with an aptitude f