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Sr Category Analyst

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Minimum: USD $67,200.00/Yr.
Maximum: USD $84,000.00/Yr.
Market Type: Hybrid

Sales Team Lead 

About JLB:

JLB is an award-winning retail consulting firm that is passionate about helping brands succeed at Target and Target win in the Marketplace. More than a traditional broker, we offer tailored solutions across Sales, Strategy, Category Management, Insights, Trend, Creative, Research, Digital Analytics, and more — helping brands thrive at one of the world’s most innovative retailers.

About the Role:

The Senior Category Analyst supports up to 2 categories and works with low- to mid-level Target buyers, operating with increased autonomy compared to an Analyst. They own core reporting and analytics, translating data into actionable insights to support strategic decision-making. This role contributes to in-depth category reviews, delivering clear findings and recommendations. As the primary point of contact for Target and client partners, they manage key business relationships with support from senior team members. They lead portions of internal and external projects, manage the category transition and revision process with strong attention to detail, and begin creating custom reporting tools while deepening their expertise in business metrics and platforms.

Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

 What we offer:

  • Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Training and Career Development
  • Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

  • Client & Cross-Functional Relationships: Actively participates in client meetings and strategic discussions with guidance from senior leadership. Builds relationships across merchant, inventory, and planning teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
  • Reporting & Insights: Produces weekly reports with moderate customization. Begins identifying trends and business drivers, contributing to more strategic, insight-driven discussions.
  • Competitive & Market Insights: Leads retail audits and marketplace assessments, integrating findings into category recommendations. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to inform strategy.
  • Category & Seasonal Reviews: Executes data-driven reviews using established templates with some customization. Highlights key metrics, identifies assortment gaps, and presents findings with Associate Director support.
  • Planogram Management: Supports end-to-end transition and revision planning, from confirming item details to writing planograms. Manages timelines and partners with mentors to ensure accuracy.
  • Digital Analysis: Analyzes digital performance using prebuilt templates and tools. Assesses channel behavior and site experience, supporting the digital strategy with actionable insights.
  • Trend Research: Assists in identifying macro and micro trends and applies insights to category planning with support from internal resources.

Qualifications:

  • Education Level: (Required):  Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Business, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related discipline
  • 2-4 years of related experience in a retail or brand background preferred but not required.
  • Microsoft programs: Outlook, Excel & Power Point required. JDA/Space Planning and POS systems is preferred but not required.
  • Target specific tools (Vendor IQ, Partners Online, Domo, CKS) are preferred but not required. Kantar, Mintel, Numerator are a plus. Circana (IRI or NDP), Nielsen or other Syndicated Data is a plus.
  • Excel & PowerPoint Proficiency: Comfortable working in Excel to analyze data, build and modify spreadsheets, use formulas, and explore pivot tables. Able to follow and adapt PowerPoint templates, incorporating visuals like charts and graphs to communicate insights effectively.
  • Business Math Acumen: Understands key performance indicators and can interpret numerical data to evaluate business performance and inform decisions.
  • Project Prioritization: Capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously, assessing urgency, and organizing work to meet deadlines.
  • Customer-Centric Mindset: Approaches work with a service orientation, focused on building trust, fostering positive relationships, and delivering high-quality support.
  • Organizational Strength: Demonstrates strong planning and follow-through to manage complex responsibilities and anticipate business needs proactively.
  • Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy when working with large data sets, ensuring insights are built on reliable and clean data.
  • Learning Agility: Eager to learn new tools, technologies, and processes to improve performance and efficiency.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Confident leading or contributing to meetings, listening actively, and identifying opportunities to support the team and business goals.

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Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

Sr Category Analyst

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