Category Analyst - Hybrid in Greater Chicago Area

HYBRID WORK OPPORTUNITY in CHICAGO AREA!

At Bunzl, We Put People First. 

• Bunzl was recognized as one of Forbes 2022 America's Best Mid-Sized Employers.  
• Bunzl is a global company that offers job stability and career growth.
• A full range of great benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), educational assistance and much more to help employees take care of themselves and their family.
• A proud commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives driving awareness and creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.
• A green company with specific programs to enhance and upgrade our business practices and procedures to reduce any harmful effects our activities have on our planet.

The Category Analyst position is responsible for the development and implementation of category specific strategies that deliver profitable growth. Responsibilities include overall management and success of a group or category of non-consumable products related to Janitorial, Office Supplies, Corrugated, as well as other business specific categories. Sustainable product lines are important strategies managed by this position and integral to the success of the role.

Responsibilities:

• Ownership of assigned product category performance and management of the overall health of the portfolio.
• Strategic engagement with supplier community to develop and implement initiatives that enable profitable growth.
• Create category material around why Bunzl is the right supplier for their sourcing needs.
• Monitor the health of assigned categories and manage the product lifecycle.
• Develop category and market expertise that allows the organization to effectively compete in target market segments; this includes market trends and competitive analysis, as inputs to the development of our assortment strategy.
• Leverage market intelligence to validate and benchmark costs and competitive pricing.
• Monitor market needs and trends, competitive products, and the changing production schedules of approved manufacturers to improve competitive positioning.
• Work to develop "Top Value Collection" product opportunities that include best performance, customer acceptance, and continuous improvement, with an emphasis on price and supply confidence.
• Negotiate and develop best cost vendor programs to improve product positioning while improve margin overall.
• Rationalize and consolidate product lines to improve inventory turns and create volume cost improvement opportunities.
• Manage on-going supplier relationships and execute supplier performance management initiatives in accordance with standards and guidelines and in collaboration with business partners.
• Manage multiple projects and initiatives within assigned categories with the ability to meet defined timelines and provide proactive status communication to business partners.
• Establish category ownership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support sales staff with special product requirements and costing. Work to improve go-to-market strategy and speed of new product implementation.
• Support sales staff by problem solving and recommending new and different packaging products as they become available.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred
• 3+ experience in Category Management or relevant business experience is required. 
• Distribution experience strongly preferred.
• Strong Understanding of distribution and logistics services
• Solid knowledge of marketing and sales principles
• Solutions oriented thinker and doer
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated highly developed experience in negotiation and best in class practices
• Strong ability to assess and manage contractual, operational, financial and business risk
• Working knowledge of the raw materials used in food service, janitorial and processor packaging is preferred with an existing working relationship with packaging material manufacturers is preferred
• Effectively work across a matrix global organization
• A strong ability to create a partnership atmosphere with internal and external resources while achieving key operating
• Work collaboratively across multi-functional teams.
• A strong relationship builder capable of fostering excellent relationships and gain credibility quickly across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and drive recommendation through the organization, showing initiative across functions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess strong planning, organizational and time management skills, as well as strong analytical problem-solving skills
• Multi-task with the ability to change direction quickly and often
• Proficient in Microsoft Office mandatory (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

So, what are you waiting for? A new career awaits you with endless opportunities.

Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non-Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions to sales in excess of $10 billion.  Bunzl North America is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.  Bunzl North America owns and operates more than 100 warehouses and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 5,000 employees and 400,000 plus supplies, Bunzl is regarded as a leading supplier in North America.

Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401k with a company match.

Bunzl Distribution has a tradition of commitment to equal employment opportunity. It is the established policy to attract and retain the best qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status as provided by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)