Category Analyst, Produce

About Eataly

Eataly is recognized as the globe’s premier artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace. Each location boasts its unique character and theme, united by a mission to offer guests authentic Italian culinary experiences, curated shopping selections of high-quality Italian and local products, and educational opportunities through classes and expert team knowledge.

Role Overview

The Category Analyst for Produce is a crucial analytical position aimed at enhancing the performance and profitability of the produce category at Eataly. This role entails close collaboration with the Category Manager to analyze category metrics, support purchasing decisions, maintain data integrity, and provide insightful business reporting to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis of sales data, margins, inventory levels, shrinkage, turnover rates, promotional effectiveness, and buying trends to uncover business insights and potential risks.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc analytical reports that facilitate informed category planning and operational decisions.
• Evaluate commodity costs, competitor pricing, and margin data to develop pricing strategies that align with profitability goals.
• Perform financial modeling and scenario evaluations to assess impacts of pricing adjustments, promotions, and cost variations.
• Ensure accurate implementation of pricing changes across company systems.
• Maintain and enhance the accuracy of product master data including item setups, vendor details, pricing records, and category catalogs across procurement and merchandising platforms.
• Audit data quality, resolve inconsistencies, and suggest enhancements for better data governance.
• Support procurement by analyzing purchase order activity, inventory movements, receiving records, and buying patterns to optimize operational efficiency and inventory management.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, invoices, and receiving documents by collaborating with Finance, Accounts Payable, Operations, and vendors.
• Facilitate vendor communications concerning item setups, cost updates, promotions, and product information.
• Work cross-functionally with Merchandising, Operations, Marketing, Finance, IT, and Store teams to enhance data accuracy and assist in category initiatives.
• Develop dashboards, performance reports, and analytical presentations to back business reviews and category plans.
• Identify and recommend improvements in reporting processes, pricing workflows, data quality, and procurement operations to foster efficiency and growth.
• Perform additional duties supporting the Produce procurement team and overall company objectives as needed.

Candidate Profile

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, Food Business, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in category management, merchandising, procurement, buying, business analytics, inventory planning, or retail operations, preferably within grocery or food sectors.
• Strong analytical acumen in areas such as sales evaluation, inventory control, pricing strategies, procurement, and profitability.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel functions including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Power Query, plus financial modeling capabilities.
• Experience in creating reports and dashboards via Power BI or comparable business intelligence tools.
• Familiarity with ERP and merchandising systems like Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), ECRS POS, SAP, JDA, Epicor, or Manhattan is advantageous.
• Knowledgeable about produce products, seasonality, commodity pricing, and fresh food procurement processes is highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and presentation capabilities tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, ability to prioritize multiple projects, and capacity to develop data-driven business insights.
• Detail-focused and proactive with a continuous improvement mindset.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to remain seated or standing for extended analytical tasks.
• Capability to lift and handle boxes weighing up to 35 pounds during inventory or product review activities.
• Willingness to operate in warehouse, retail, and refrigerated settings as necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position lies between $67,000 and $75,000 per year. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off and parental leave; retirement plans like 401K with matching or RRSP; bonus programs; complimentary family meals daily; discounts at Eataly; educational classes on products and Italian cuisine; and referral bonus initiatives.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Eataly firmly upholds an equal employment opportunity policy, refraining from discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any legally protected category. The company prohibits harassment in the workplace and adheres to all applicable laws concerning employment practices including considerations of unemployment, salary history, credit, bankruptcy, and criminal backgrounds. Accommodations for applicants requiring assistance during the recruitment process are available upon request through Human Resources.