Category Analyst

Do you have strong Excel skills and experience interpreting data to influence commercial decisions?

Elevation Recruitment are excited to be recruiting for one of the UK's largest distributors.

We're looking for a sharp, data-driven Category Analyst to join our retail team, supporting our Plan for Profit programme. This role is all about helping our retail partners optimise their in-store ranges, ensuring every category - from alcohol and grocery to non-food - is stocked for maximum sales. You'll be analysing performance data, creating actionable insights, producing planograms, and collaborating with marketing to deliver engaging retailer publications and promotions.

Role: Category Analyst (6 months fixed term contract)- Doncaster

Salary: £30000K-£35000K DOE

Hours: 9am- 5pm Monday- Friday

Benefits:

• BUPA and health cash plan
• 3% Pension
• 5% potential annual bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank hols
• Hybrid working model- 3/2 day split

Responsibilities:

• Analyse product performance and market data to propose core ranges and essential products for retailers, ensuring maximum sales in-store.
• Conduct annual category reviews for all categories in convenience stores, identifying gaps and opportunities.
• Create planograms and promotional plans, ensuring categories and brands are displayed effectively.
• Work closely with marketing teams to produce retailer-facing publications, guides, and communications, translating data and insights into engaging content.
• Support independent retailers and buying groups, driving engagement and uptake of recommended ranges.
• Manage projects and critical paths, coordinating internal teams to deliver on time and to high standards.
• Monitor websites and apps to ensure accurate, up-to-date product content.
• Ensures all elements of the Plan for Profit Category Management programme are delivered on time, with all stakeholder deadlines met.
• Leads the development of convenience retail ranges, category-specific insights, and planograms using available market data.
• Maintain up-to-date category and channel performance knowledge by collaborating with suppliers, attending industry events, and conducting UK retailer visits to inform and enhance Plan for Profit initiatives.
• Proactively identify inefficiencies and lead process improvements to drive productivity, cost savings, and operational excellence.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills, with experience in Excel and interpreting complex data to produce actionable insights.
• Background in marketing, category management, space planning, or retail buying is ideal.
• Understanding of planograms, merchandising principles, and product placement best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, working across internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills - able to turn data into compelling recommendations for retailers.
• Passion for retail and product performance, with a keen eye for detail and a results-driven mindset.