Category & Space Planning Analyst

Summary of the Role

Reporting to the Category Manager, the Category & Space Planning Analyst will leverage data-driven insights to optimize product assortment and shelf-layout. The role includes designing, building, and maintaining planograms aligned with merchandising standards and assortment strategies, while supporting the sales team with recommendations on achieving financial targets.

Key Responsibilities

Planogram Management:

• • Build and maintain  planograms (images, dimensions, fixtures, product placement) using JDA Space Planning.
  • Validate data accuracy and perform quality checks.
  • Manage planogram releases across multiple retailers
  • Capture and integrate product scans and images into space planning software.
  • Develops data-driven recommendations to support successful new item launches, ensuring optimal shelf placement, achieving distribution goals, and maximizing category performance.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

• • • Analyze large datasets to support assortment and space planning decisions.
    • Generate reports using syndicated and internal data sources (Nielsen, Circana, Retail Link).
    • Track key business metrics and monitor outcomes of implemented recommendations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• • Work with category teams to translate assortment strategies into actionable recommendations.
  • Work closely with Business Development Managers supporting business initiatives and achieve overall sales targets. 
  • Support the Category Manager with ad hoc requests

Insights & Optimization:

• • Identify optimization opportunities for shelf layouts and assortment strategies.
  • Perform post-mortem reviews of planograms, monitor impact on shelf performance and and provide actionable recommendations for optimization.
  • Maintain industry knowledge and best practices to drive continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent in business-related courses
• 3-5 years of experience in space planning within the CPG industry.
• Proficiency in JDA/Blue Yonder, MS Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Nielsen and other retail/market data systems (e.g., Circana,) is an asset
• Ability to derive insights from data and support data-driven recommendations.
• Growth mindset with a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to learn and adapt to new challenges.
• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal communication in English. French is an asset.