National Buying Services is the department dedicated to acquiring the goods that our ALDI customers count on. Beyond working to secure quality products at the lowest possible prices through our Buying and support teams (Administration, Pricing, Merchandising, Quality Assurance and more), our teams ensure we are providing the best value and quality in everything we do.

In this role the Merchandise Planning Analyst-Data Insights & Analytics will be responsible for: mining, building, validating, presenting, and visualizing data for the Aldi Finds Coordination Team. You will work with the other team members of the Aldi Finds Coordination Team as well as other cross functional teams not limited to buying, pricing, and logistics. The ideal candidate will have experience in crafting complex data in order to accurately tell a story in conjunction with having a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. The objective of this role is to provide actionable insights based on the data the team pulls for theming, buying and other relevant stakeholder teams to make informed decisions.

Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Batavia, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which allows remote work up to 3 days per week (i.e., work remotely up to 3 days per week; work in-office at least 2 days per week)

Duties and Responsibilities:
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Determines areas of business where innovative analytical solutions may be used to drive business growth, create analyses, and develop recommendations.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Uses knowledge of buying metrics to establish analytical insights that assist the Buying teams.
• Leads the development of relevant analytical tools/reports/dashboards that encompass ALDI Finds data in connection with consumer, customer, and competitor insights.
• Identifies and incorporates product knowledge, seasonality and regional performance partnered with quantitative data to drive continuous improvement in forecasting to improve shelf availability of ALDI Finds.
• Collaborates with team members on report creation, maintenance, and strategy of inventory, space planning, and reduction analytics.
• Communicates knowledge of ALDI, ALDI Buying, and the ALDI Finds process and initiatives within National Services and Divisions.
• Develops strategy and provides leadership for ALDI Finds initiatives through the use of quantitative methods that report category performance.
• Identifies, develops and assesses ALDI Finds themes/promotions across a set of categories.
• Assesses optimal margin rates, sell through goals, and evaluates customer price perception.
• Develops presentations and communicates them to all appropriate areas within the department.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:
ALDI Acts Competencies:
Perform within ALDI Acts competencies as outlined below.

• Drives for Success: Seizes opportunities and proactively takes concrete actions to complete tasks. Goes the “extra mile” and persistently overcomes obstacles to improve outputs.
• Focuses on the Customer: Seeks to understand underlying customer needs to create value. Drives the team to maintain focus on customers.
• Focuses on Quality: Takes an efficient, analytical approach to solve problems or produce outputs in an accurate and timely manner. Ensures quality and accuracy of results.
• Manages and Supports Projects: Effectively plans, executes and supports project needs to support management and the larger ALDI business.
• Organizes and Executes with Accuracy: Leverages a systematic, efficient and organized approach while ensuring quality and accuracy of results.

Job-specific Competencies:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Knowledge of the functions and purposes of software in a personal/network computer environment; skill of using its commands to organize and analyze files and information.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and present complex data.
• Advanced Excel knowledge, including VBA.
• Experience with SQL queries and SRSS reporting.
• MSSM, Teradata, Oracle, Python, Alteryx, or R is a plus.
• Experience with Tableau, Power BI, Plateau, or other dashboard visuals.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field required.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in Business required.
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Corporate retail experience preferred.

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:

• Minimal travel required as needed for job related duties such as training, project work and administrative tasks.

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays
• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay
• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.