Lowes - Senior Analyst - Merchandising/Insights & Analytics

Exp: 3 - 8 years

Job Summary :

- The principle purpose of the Sr. Analyst is to be the Analytics partner with the Merchandising and GFO organizations and deliver the analytics, insights and recommendations to drive a deeper understanding of product categories. This information will be utilized by Merchandising as they work to create an optimal strategy for their product category, which in turn will influence different merchandising strategies across all our fulfillment channels.

- This is accomplished utilizing advanced tools and methods to leverage customer and transactional data. This position is responsible for following analytical best practices, accurately reporting and analyzing results and identifying insights for decision making; determine additional research/analytics that may be needed to enhance the solution; and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure project continuity and strategic alignment.

- To accomplish this, the Sr. Analyst must have solid knowledge of retail and/or business analytics. This individual will collaborate with DACI peers to ensure that insights from USHI functional areas and business units (BUs) are understood and incorporated into work products. Additionally, the Sr. Analyst, DACI must be able to work effectively within a matrixed organization and demonstrate self-leadership skills and the ability to influence and interact with various levels of the organization.

Essential and Core Responsibilities :

- Solves problems and shares information to enable alignment across the organization in order to facilitate better decision making by collaborating with a team of peers; providing support to functional areas for business processes such as forecasting, planning, and analysis of customer behavior; collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs) to understand different types of data that can be utilized for holistic analysis

- Enables business partners to make informed decisions based on root cause drivers of performance by working with functional partners to develop and maintain scorecards; analyzing and providing insights and performance analysis; collaborating with partners to translate functional plans into forecast inputs; creating MoS with input from functional partners by collecting and analyzing data; analyzing sensitivity of assumptions by developing scenarios

- Communicates financial and non-financial analysis and insights to leaders by preparing analyses through leveraging multiple data sources; identifying complete, consistent, and actionable insights & recommendations; translating insights into clear, understandable themes

- Develops business cases for key initiatives and major programs by creating robust financial and non- financial models; supporting business case development by developing and clarifying intent; identifying risks and benefits to the enterprise; utilizing scenario and sensitivity analysis

Core Responsibilities :

- Pursues self-development and effective relationships with others by organizing resources and information; openly sharing information, advice, and expertise with coworkers and customers; influencing others through technical explanations and examples; providing occasional mentoring to team members; seeking performance feedback; adapting to and learning from change, difficulties, and feedback.

- Completes work assignments by applying up-to-date expertise in subject area; leveraging an understanding of policies, data, and resources to support projects or initiatives; collaborating cross-functionally to solve business problems; identifying and monitoring priorities, deadlines, and expectations; communicating progress and information; identifying, recommending, and implementing ways to address improvement opportunities.

Competencies Needed :

Functional Competencies

- Ability to Develop Business Cases - Ability to develop business cases and provide recommendations based on analysis and thorough understanding of business needs.

- Financial Analysis - Knowledge of and ability to read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and numerical material.

- Knowledge of Analytics and Report Development Tools and Software- Advanced knowledge of BI tools and software (e.g., SAS,R,, MicroStrategy/DART or other Business Intelligence reporting tools, SQL query writing, or other business reporting software): ability to use multiple tools to build sophisticated reports.

- Financial Forecasting and Modeling- Knowledge of and ability to use processes, tools, and techniques for exploring and evaluating alternative financial scenarios and results.

- Analytical Thinking - Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis and the ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve the problems in the best interest of the business.

- Business Acumen - Knowledge, insight, and understanding of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the company's business; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

- Information Capture - Knowledge of the processes and the ability to identify, capture and document relevant business information in an auditable, organized, understandable and easily retrievable manner.

- Hypothesis Testing- Builds and/or validates recommendations based on sound methodology, data gathering, and data analysis; uses data driven conclusions and decisions to provide solutions.

Core Competencies

Being Organizationally Savvy :

- The ability to maneuver well to accomplish work within own function and with strategic business partners. This includes the ability to build and grow a network of partnerships, develop an understanding of formal and informal decision-making processes, and leverage knowledge of functional and cross-functional operations to accomplish work objectives.

Communicating Effectively :

- The skill to write, present, and listen effectively. This includes adjusting the amount, style, and content of the information to fit the audience. This also includes the ability to convey a compelling message.

Problem Solving :

- The ability to solve tough and complex problems. This includes the ability to effectively glean meaning from available data, be a quick study of the new and different, add personal wisdom and experience to arrive at the best solution given the information available, and use multiple problem- solving tools and techniques.

Demonstrating Personal Flexibility :

- The ability to demonstrate resourcefulness and resilience in the face of change, obstacles, and adversity. This includes adapting to competing demands and shifting priorities. This also includes improving adaptability, pursuing new skills and knowledge, and regularly seeking feedback from others.

Getting Organized :

- The ability to be organized, resourceful, and planful. This includes the ability to leverage multiple resources to get things done and lay out tasks in sufficient detail. This also includes the ability to get things done with less and in less time, work on multiple tasks at once without losing track, and to foresee and plan around obstacles.

Keeping on Point :

- The ability to prioritize work activities. This includes identifying which tasks are most important, avoiding distractions, and dealing with setbacks in a timely manner.

Managing Diverse Relationships :

- The ability to relate to a wide variety of people of diverse backgrounds, opinions, and experiences. This includes being open to differences, quickly finding common ground, and being respectful of others.

Understanding the Business :

- Knowledge of the business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do his/her job. This includes knowledge of various types of business propositions, how businesses operate in general, and easily learning new methods and technologies.

Qualifications :

Required Minimum Qualifications:

- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Statistics, Economics or any other Quantitative discipline plus 4+ years- experience in analytical role

- 1 year experience in Retail analytics with a strong understanding of customer data

- Experience working with analytical tools like SAS, R, Python, etc.

- Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally

- Experience with Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master's Degree in Statistics, Analytics, Marketing, Economics, Math or Business with 3+ years experience in analytical role

- 1 year experience in Retail category analytics working directly with merchants

- Experience with business intelligence and reporting tools (e.g., SQL, SAS, MicroStrategy, R, APT, etc.)

- Knowledge of using visualization tools like SAS VA

- Experience working with multiple stakeholders across locations