Retail Category Analyst

Waterway has an immediate opportunity for a full time Retail Category Analyst supporting our retail team and network of retail convenience stores across our 30 locations. This newly created position will help shape Waterway’s retail store assortment strategy and growth by providing our customers with attractive product offerings with competitive promotions and pricing. We’re looking for a highly analytical and passionate retail leader who is results driven and customer focused.

The Retail Category Analyst will provide insight, analytics, and recommendations that optimize product assortment, inventory ownership, pricing and promotional mix. The Retail Category Analyst will manage the full lifecycle of the Waterway product assortment from sourcing to exit.  They will work closely with internal and external partners ensuring that strategies are executed effectively through promotions, visual plans and education that align with Waterway’s brand values. Revenue growth will come from optimizing product assortment and effective pricing and promotions.

The Retail Category Analyst will focus on 3 primary objectives:

• Drive overall sales revenue and gross margin increases through effective data analytics and strategy recommendations.
• Source, negotiate, and price products that align with Waterway brand standards.
• Collaborate on retail promotional strategy and Ppan, including providing guidance to Merchandisers & other partners.

This full-time position will be based in-office at our Chesterfield, MO Corporate office (727 Goddard Ave. Chesterfield, MO 63005) and report to the Vice President of Retail. Travel to Waterway locations required as needed.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:

• Competitive compensation of $75,000 - $85,000 plus 10-15% annual bonus, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package - medical, dental, vision, long term disability and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off allowance – up to 18 days earned in the first year plus paid holidays. Paid childbearing/paternity leave.
• Long-term investment bonus - rewards you for investing in your financial future. 
• Phone stipend and mileage reimbursement available.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Waterway Membership - Free car washes and gasoline discounts!

About Waterway

Waterway® Carwash has been combining the Best People with the Best Technology to deliver the Best Car Wash Experience in the industry for over 50 years. Our attention to detail means our customers can be assured that their car receives the best care. We do not settle for anything less and neither do they. Waterway’s Clean Car Club is recognized as one of the original unlimited wash member programs in the industry. More than 1,400 team members operate 30 (and growing) Waterway locations across five major metropolitan markets, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Waterway locations offer a mix of exterior express and full-service car wash services, as well as gasoline and retail convenience stores. Learn more about Waterway at www.waterway.com

Report Building, Analysis & Inventory Planning (50% of time)

• Analyze market and POS data and customer basket trends to generate recommendations for assortment, pricing and promotional mix.
• Build and analyze reports on sales, inventory and promotional activity daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly.
• Forecast inventory buys for private label and key programs, provide guidance to merchandisers on buys.

Product Assortment Selection & Strategy (40% of time)

• Collaborate on annual and seasonal category strategies including assortment selection.
• Optimize product assortment, both new and existing offerings to maximize revenue.
• Build & execute pricing strategy, both full price & promotional by category/market meeting margin targets.
• Build planogram strategy for all categories.
• Provide strategic direction to internal partners that aligns with brand strategies.
• Manage vendor relationships including negotiating pricing and promotions

Operational Support (10% of time)

• Provide day-to-day support of retail team operations including responding to store ticketing system as needed.
• Provide backup support of price book maintenance and inventory audits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree or higher, preferably in business, retail, or related field
• A minimum of 2-4 years’ experience in retail, merchandising or inventory management
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Proficient in MS Office and Windows based applications
• Ability to travel to Waterway’s various markets as needed
• Current and valid drivers’ license
• Acceptable Background Check and Drug Screening

The Ideal Candidate will also be:

• Data and results driven
• Highly analytical, disciplined with high attention to detail
• Relentlessly customer centric
• Standard setting - have discerning taste and aesthetic level
• Great leadership with a strong sense of urgency
• Always curious and enthusiastic team player
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Excellent multi-tasking and time management skills
• Passionate about Waterway culture, values, and customer experience

Physical Requirements

• Environmental – office based, with requirement to be able to work onsite at locations outside for limited periods of time.
• Physical – must be able to walk and sit for extended periods of time.
• Vision and Hearing – Far and near visual acuity, peripheral vision and depth perception. Hear, understand, and distinguish speech from other sounds.
• Language – must be able to fluently speak and understand English when communicating with other team members, managers, and customers for business related purposes.
• Attendance – maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance. Work schedule as assigned.

Waterway Carwash is an Equal Opportunity / Drug-Free Workplace employer. If you require an accommodation or assistance to complete the application process, please contact recruiting@waterway.com.