Category Analyst, Produce

Job Description

The Category Analyst, Produce is an analytical and business-focused role responsible for supporting the performance and profitability of Eataly's Produce category through data analysis, pricing analysis, category reporting, and procurement support. This position partners closely with the Category Manager to evaluate category performance, develop business insights, identify operational opportunities, and support purchasing decisions through financial and operational analysis. 

The Category Analyst plays a key role in maintaining product data integrity, monitoring category performance, evaluating pricing and margin opportunities, and recommending process improvements that support operational efficiency and business growth. 

Reports to the Category Manager, Produce. 

• Analyze sales, gross margin, inventory levels, shrink, turns, promotional results, and purchasing trends to identify business opportunities and risks. Prepare recurring and ad hoc reports that provide actionable insights to support category planning and operational decision-making. 

• Analyze commodity costs, competitive pricing, and margin performance to develop pricing recommendations that support profitability objectives. Perform financial modeling and scenario analysis to evaluate the impact of pricing changes, promotions, and cost fluctuations while ensuring approved pricing updates are accurately executed across company systems. 

• Maintain and continuously improve the accuracy of product master data, item setup, vendor information, pricing records, and category catalogues across purchasing and merchandising systems. Audit data quality, resolve discrepancies, and recommend improvements to strengthen data governance and reporting accuracy. 

• Support procurement activities by reviewing purchase order activity, inventory movement, receiving records, and purchasing trends. Analyze purchasing data to identify operational efficiencies, inventory risks, and opportunities to improve buying decisions. 

• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, invoices, receiving records, and purchasing systems. Collaborate with Finance, Accounts Payable, Operations, and vendors to determine root causes, recommend corrective actions, and improve purchasing accuracy. 

• Support vendor communications related to item setup, cost changes, promotional planning, and product information. Partner with Merchandising, Operations, Marketing, Finance, IT, and Store teams to provide analytical support, improve data accuracy, and ensure successful execution of category initiatives. 

• Develop dashboards, reports, and performance analyses that support business reviews and category planning. Present analytical findings and recommendations that assist the Category Manager in evaluating category performance, identifying opportunities, and making informed business decisions. 

• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, pricing processes, data quality, procurement workflows, and operational efficiencies. Develop recommendations that streamline processes, improve reporting capabilities, and support informed business decisions across the Produce category. 

• Perform any other duties as assigned to support the Produce procurement team and overall business objectives. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Data Analytics, Food Business, or a related field preferred. 

• 3+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, procurement, buying, business analytics, inventory planning, or retail operations, preferably within the grocery or food industry. 

• Strong analytical skills with experience evaluating sales performance, inventory management, pricing, purchasing, and profitability. 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Power Query, and financial modeling. 

• Experience developing reports and dashboards using Power BI or similar business intelligence software. 

• Experience working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), ECRS POS, SAP, JDA, Epicor, Manhattan, or comparable ERP and merchandising systems is preferred. 

• Knowledge of produce products, seasonality, commodity pricing, and fresh food procurement is strongly preferred. 

• Excellent organizational, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate analytical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize multiple initiatives, and develop data-driven recommendations that support business objectives. 

• Detail-oriented with a proactive, problem-solving mindset and a continuous improvement approach. 

Job Requirements 

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods while performing computer-based analysis and reporting. 

• Capability to lift and move boxes weighing up to 35 pounds as part of inventory verification, product reviews, or material handling. 

• Ability to work in warehouse, retail, and refrigerated environments as needed to support category operations. 

The annual salary for this position is: $67,000–$75,000 

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401K with match or RRSP
• Bonus program
• Free family meal daily
• Discounts at Eataly
• Classes on products and Italian cuisine
• Referral bonus program
• and more!

Eataly is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Eataly also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Eataly’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions.  If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.

Eataly is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Eataly also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Eataly’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions.  If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.

Company Description

Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:

• EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
• SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
• LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge