Senior Category Analyst

Senior Category Analyst

Purpose

The Senior Category Analyst is autonomously responsible for developing a compelling category vision and drivers that helps deliver a road map for joint value creation between Twinings and our retailer partners. By analyzing market trends, consumer behaviour, and sales data to provide actionable insights that drive category growth and profitability the Analyst will proactively identify a strategic set of recommendations and point of purchase vision anchored in insight. This role involves working closely with category managers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to develop strategies that optimize Twinings and Ovaltine product assortment, pricing, and promotions. They will work closely with the Twinings Sales Team to support in selling stories and building deeper relationships with our retailers. The Category Analyst will leverage data analytics tools and techniques to monitor performance, identify opportunities, and support decision-making processes. Close contact with these consumer and retail POS data sources: Nielsen, LDIA (LCL & SDM), Circana (Sobeys & PFG), Dunnhumby (Metro) and 1Screen (Federated Co-op) as well as Storesight (Shelfgram) and Springboard.

Our ambition is to become Canada's number 1 trusted partner in Tea with all key retailers as well as category captain and advisor, supporting them on not only long term plans but also immediate terms range review decisions and planograms. This newly created category analyst role will be critical for creating and fostering these relationships

Scope

Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy Support:

• Build powerful category vision, drivers and point of purchase vision to help grow both Twinings and retailer sales.
• Develop and implement category strategies that align with business objectives.
• Assist in the development of assortment plans, innovation ideas from identifying category white spaces, pricing strategies, and promotional plans based on data-driven insights.
• Support the execution of category plans by providing analytical support and recommendations.

2. Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret sales, market, and consumer data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain regular reports and dashboards to track category performance, including sales, margins, and market share.
• Conduct deep-dive analyses to understand the drivers of category performance and provide actionable recommendations.

3. Market and Consumer Insights:

• Monitor and analyze market trends, competitive activity, and consumer behaviour to identify growth opportunities.
• Utilize syndicated data (Nielsen consumption data and Homescan) and other sources to provide insights into category dynamics and competitive positioning.
• Work with the consumer insights team to bring in relevant insights to help build powerful category stories.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with marketing, supply chain, and finance teams to ensure alignment on category strategies and initiatives.
• Partner with suppliers to gather insights and collaborate on joint business planning.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.

5. Sales Support:

• Support monthly reviews with our major accounts and broker/distributors helping to provide category focused actionable insights

• Participate with the greater sales team with administrative tasks such as occasional courier shipments, managing the samples room, ordering office supplies

6. Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in category management and data analytics.
• Recommend and implement tools and technologies to enhance analytical capabilities.

Key Relationships:

Internal: VP Sales, Canada Sales Team, US Sales Team, Marketing

External: Customers, Nielsen, Circana, Dunnhumby, LCL LDIA, 1Screen, Brokers and Distributors

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Statistics, or a related field. Advanced degree or certification (e.g., MBA, CPCM) is a plus.

- Experience: 3-5 years of experience in category management, market research, or data analysis, preferably in retail or consumer goods. Experience working within a small Sales team.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI) and familiarity with syndicated data sources (e.g., Nielsen, LDIA, Circana, Dunnhumby, 1Screen). Experience in Space Planning Software. Advanced user of Microsoft Office.

• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and present actionable insights – oral and written.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data and insights to non-technical stakeholders.

• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.

• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in data analysis and reporting.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking

• Data-Driven Decision Making

• Experience presenting in front of Retailers/Customers

• Superb analytical and interpersonal skills with attention to details.

• Ability to present analytical findings in a clear, concise manner.

• Meet deadlines and manage multiple projects

• Ability to lead projects and facilitate end to end processes, meetings, structure

• Strong ability to follow through Insights

• Ability to compile and translate large amount of data to present information both internally and externally.

• Ability to conduct self professionally.

• High regard for data integrity and proper maintenance of systems.

• Working knowledge of Canadian retailers: LCL, SDM, Sobeys, Metro, PFG, FCL, Costo

• Market and Consumer Insight

• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Process Improvement

Work Environment:

• This role typically operates in a hybrid, professional office environment (2 days in the office, 3 days work from
  
  home).
• Requires occasional travel for meetings, conferences, or supplier visits.

Safety:

Fully co-operate with and adhere to all company health, safety and environmental policies and procedures, communicating suggestions for improvement to line manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Why join us?

At Twinings/Ovaltine, we offer a very collaborative and innovative work environment where your contributions directly impact the market and financial success of our iconic brands. You will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, drive category growth, and play a key role in shaping the future of our products. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for career growth and development.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Woodbridge, ON L4L 8K8