Senior Analyst, Merchandising and Forecasting - 12 Months Contract

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued - as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

Reporting to the Director, Merchandising and Forecasting, the Senior Analyst, Merchandising and Forecasting, supports banner Merchandising and Promotions teams in delivering timely and optimal allocations POCKETGUIDE, and monitoring the performance of merchandising programs executed in-store. The Senior Analyst oversees Format Superstore (Atlantic, Ontario, West) stores, to help deliver allocation strategies ensuring that both sales are maximized, and inventory is minimized and meets DOH targets. The Senior Analyst is responsible to ensure the programs, inventory flow and allocations to the stores are on time and to the correct stores to meet sales, profit and to ensure ease of execution for our stores to ensure the best customer experience.

Accountabilities:

Planning and Forecasting

• Determine item allocation according to store specific sales history including by day history, mapping and seasonality impacts, spread across all available buckets.
• Manage flow of inventory to stores in support of OVP 4.0.
• Manage banner or individual store nuances to improve flow and sell-through. Review item sell through and propose action for increased or decreased purchases to optimize store sales and inventory.
• Forecast review, Program Merchandising and Allocations for key programs and events.
• Ensure appropriate inventory allocations for new store openings.
• Forecast validation for front- and back-page ad items.
• Build the floor strategy and communication through pocket guide.

Process Management

• Monitor and communicate program execution progress on a weekly basis to ensure deadlines are met, providing updates to the Directors of Mapping and Senior Leadership.
• Align all allocation process and interactive meetings within business units (Supply Chain, Off-shore teams, Category, Operations, etc.).
• Develop process improvements and efficiency to align format superstore.
• Pull data and monitor planned shipments to ensure all allocations are flowing through the system accurately and as per the plan (including key MCM programs, seasonal confectionary programs, and PC collection programs).
• Reporting out to all key stakeholders on planned shipments and flow of inventory.

Communication to Category

• Provide insights and forecasting estimates to category teams.
• Communicate any issues with inventory and provide solutions (liaise between supply chain, BCS and category).
• Understand performance reporting for Merchandising programs.

Promotional effectiveness and Optimization

• Process improvement and efficiency enhancements as the format aligns Ontario and West.
• Provide best practice enhancements based on JDA, and team processes.
• Use Data and CSD’s to inform promotional forecasts.

Role Requirements:

• Post-secondary education in Business or Economics or related field.
• High analytical and problem-solving skills, process driven.
• Excellent communicator up, down and across the enterprise.
• Must be detail oriented and able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong cross functional capabilities to leverage BU teams, Supply Chain and BCS.
• Must have strong computer skills (specifically Excel - advanced).
• Experienced in JDA, specifically JPA Allocation Module.
• Knowledge in various SAP modules.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars - Environment, Sourcing and Community - and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values - Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence - guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits - these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.