Merchandising Analytics Manager - Full-time / Part-time

Responsibilities:

This role is designed to provide advanced Analytics and Reporting support to Office Depot Inc. Merchandising functions across all channels and banners. The nature of our work crosses many functional areas such as category management, promotion, pricing, inventory and life cycle management as well as the Merchandising Planning teams.

The principal consultant will work with reduced direction and minimal supervision from their Sr. Director/Director and will provide periodic status updates and will escalate issues to the appropriate team or team member as needed.

Analyze and improve Merchandising business processes with the primary objective of identifying efficiency improvement, sales advancement and margin increasing opportunities. Develop data-driven recommendations using advanced Analytics and quantitative techniques. Communicate findings and supporting data evidence to the merchandising VPs and Directors.

Responsible for Data Integrity for Merchandising Organization including involvement with defining the business rules for merged data sets, working as a data scientist to determine where issues may reside, what is causing and how to resolve the issue, log QCs with IT, lead effort for QC resolution for Merchandising Organization, lead effort and conduct User Acceptance Testing.

Represent the Merchandising Organization in regards to providing data and information to the the legal team and economists for major initiatives. This includes leading the efforts to gather information and provide information as needed, working across departments

Provide a leadership role to team members including peers with direction, education and training, including education of merchants, merchandise planning and retail teams on how to use Cognos, where to pull data and how to interpret information

Responsible for working with Legal and Procurement teams with all contract entry and invoice processing for Merchandising Pricing and Analytics organization including working with vendors on submission and communication of Master Services Agreements and Statements of Work

Act as a primary driver in the reporting / analytics evolution towards progressive change and improved results. Partner with other Merchandising leaders to create new values through excellence in framing problems, analyzing information, developing mathematical/statistical representation and recommending data-driven solution alternatives.

• Ensure Data Integrity for Merchandising Organization which includes defining the business rules for data sets, working as a data scientist to determine where issues may reside, what is causing and how to resolve the issue, log QCs with IT and lead effort for resolution for Merchandising Organization, lead effort and conduct User Acceptance Testing
• Provide a leadership role to team members including peers with direction, education and training, including education of merchants, merchandise planning and retail teams on how to use Cognos, where to pull data and how to interpret information.
• Think Strategically -- understand the holistic picture.
• Lead the team in identifying the desired end-state of the analytical activity, develop representative models and interpret the results to build initiative business case. Influence the Analytics and Planning leadership on projects and intitiatives directly affecting sales and margin.
• Validation and analytical endorsement for Merchandising initiatives that has immediate impact on Office Depot's bottom line. Conduct necessary ad-hoc data analysis and quantitative investigations.
• Creation, research, ideation and analysis of Merchandising processes and sales / margin improvement initiatives.
• Understand and manage complex information. Analyze business processes, and develop mathematical/statistical models representation.
• Analyze and revise existing reporting system logic and assist in testing and debugging. Coding complex application components (SQL , Visual Basic, Cognos, scripting, Tableau, etc.) based on design specifications, while adhering to defined programming standards, structured coding techniques and development methodologies.
• Design and conduct analytical studies that evaluate potential modifications and enhancements to the existing methodologies.
• Discuss business processes with Merchandising Directors and their teams to capture the necessary information to model current business processes.
• Design new reports. Capturing leadership and frontline feedback to influence report evolution to help the business drive improved performance. Key owner of the reporting services to the Merchandising organization

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 10 years experience or training in Merchandising, Business Analytics, Decision Support, Data Management.

Other Information:

• Techincal certifications or skills in Data Retrieval, Data Scientist, Mathematical Modeling and Statistical Analysis.
• Information knowledge to include SQL, Cognos, PowerPivot, Tableau is required
• Exceptional skills in data mining, data science and quantitative technquies.
• Exceptional knowledge of Statistical Analysis / Mathematical Statistical Modeling.
• Exceptional ability to utilize results / information to develop feasible solution alternative.
• Advanced capabilty of developing compelling business cases and data-driven solution recommendations
• Exceptional knowledge of Retail procedures and Merchandising processes.
• Strong knowledge of predictive modeling and optimization.
• Exceptional expertise in SQL Server, SSIS/DTS, MS Access, Project, PowerPivot, and other MS Office products.
• Exceptional experience working in Business Intelligence, data management and reporting applications. Tableau or Cognos experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of data warehouse systems.
• Advanced of visual basic or similar coding experience.
• Strong knowledge of scripting language is a plus.
• Exceptional ability to learn quickly and think creatively.
• Strong ability to learn business case development.
• Strong ability to learn product lifetime valuations and pricing models.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal and presentation skills with ability to influence piers.

Pay, Benefits and Work Schedule:

Office Depot offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunity to move and grow within our organization! For immediate consideration for this exciting position, please click the Apply Now button.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Office Depot is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.