Warehouse Category Analyst

Company Overview

We are a regional Consumer Products Wholesale company supplying categories such as tobacco, nicotine, candy, snacks, and general merchandise. We are looking for a detail-oriented and driven Category Analyst to support procurement and category performance across our region. This role serves as a key link between company ownership, suppliers/vendors, and warehouse leadership, providing insights that improve product mix, supplier performance, and overall growth.

Position Summary

The Category Analyst supports procurement and strategic sourcing within a defined region to maximize value, manage supplier performance, and ensure accurate reporting. This role will analyze purchasing and market trends, support negotiations and sourcing initiatives, and help drive growth goals through data-backed recommendations and category strategy.

What you will do

• Provide analysis and consumer products purchasing activities supporting the Company Owner and the warehouse manager within multiple spend categories.
• Support strategic sourcing activities, including: Identification of existing or new supplier products and managing product mix resulting in top-performing items contributing to the company's growth targets, Supplier proposal evaluation (quantitative & qualitative), Supplier negotiations, and results analysis.
• Analyze and monitor regional market conditions, supplier base, cost drivers, and industry trends to support Company Strategy and Go-To-Market plans
• Manage supplier performance issues and lead regional supplier review meetings using scorecards and performance reporting
• Drive sustainability initiatives for assigned categories in partnership with Regional Procurement Directors and the Global Procurement Team
• Lead regional budget, estimates, and reporting processes for assigned categories, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Collaborate with the Company President and warehouse buyer to deliver reporting goals and support continuous improvement
• Maintain strong communication with Group Procurement to align strategy, priorities, and performance outcomes
• Able to work cross-functionally with delivery drivers and customers to analyze product trends, sales, and changing market conditions within North Carolina and other potential states.
• To ensure consistent fulfillment, you will be responsible for conducting inventory counts and placing subsequent orders with vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, or Management, or relevant experience in a similar business, will be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in Sales, Marketing, or Analyst role within the CPG Industry, along with an understanding of the Convenience or Grocery Retail business.
• Must have demonstrated skills working on projects and analytical analysis, including brand insight and category planogram design
• Proficiency with MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Must be self-motivated, possess excellent communication and organizational skills, project a professional image, and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written presentation skills, with the ability to analyze and understand the data and then effectively communicate those insights to both internal and external audiences.
• Able to perform under pressure in a fast-paced business environment

Preferred Qualifications

• CPG Environment experience
• Direct customer experience, Direct Store Delivery, or Cash and Carry Business.
• Experience utilizing data: POS, Retailer Specific, Panel, and other consumer-based data providers.
• Understanding of the Tobacco, Candy, and Snack business is a plus.