Senior Analyst, Margin Forecasting

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Connecticut, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Develop and sustain a driver-based merchandise margin forecast that encompasses initial markup, landed cost, markdown, mix, and shrink.

• Revise and redistribute the rolling margin forecast utilizing the most recent cost, pricing, and demand inputs.

• Analyze margin performance and forecast fluctuations by breaking them down into volume, rate, and mix, linking them to specific business initiatives.

• Assess the margin implications of suggested pricing strategies, cost alterations, promotional activities, and assortment modifications.

• Create reports explaining the variance between actual margin and planned, forecasted, or prior year figures.

• Identify potential margin risks and quantify opportunities, escalating these with recommended actions.

• Compile margin performance reports and executive dashboards.

• Maintain consistent definitions, dependable data lineage, and reproducible methodologies across margin reporting.

• Integrate landed cost changes, supplier negotiations, and total cost of ownership inputs into the margin perspective.

• Measure the realized margin effects of pricing and promotional decisions and guide future recommendations.

• Align the margin forecast with the financial plan and corporate forecast.

• Deliver margin analytics for the annual operating plan and long-range merchandise strategy.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, or a related discipline.

• 4 to 6 years of experience in financial analysis, merchandise finance, retail analytics, or a similar analytical position.

• Strong grasp of retail margin mechanics, including initial markup, landed cost, markdown, and realized margin.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial modeling.

• SQL skills are strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to construct driver-based forecasting models and articulate variance with analytical accuracy.

• Excellent communication abilities, capable of presenting insights clearly to both finance and non-finance leadership.

• High standards for precision and analytical integrity, with the capacity to act swiftly without compromising quality.

• Experience with enterprise planning tools such as Anaplan, Hyperion, or similar solutions is preferred.

• Background in furniture, home goods, or big-ticket retail is preferred.

• Familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, or similar visualization tools is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Nationally provided Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Paid Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Days, Holidays, work anniversary, and your Birthday.

• 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan with a generous company match.

• Pet Insurance.

• Employer-paid basic Life Insurance, with the option to add Voluntary Life Insurance.

• Financial Planning, Voluntary Legal Benefits, and Wellness Plans.

• Generous Employee Discount starting on your first day.

• Additional Employee Discounts through the “Hays Perks discount program.”

• Professional Development: In-person, virtual, and an extensive library of on-demand classes in Workday Learning.

• Tuition Reimbursement.

• BDF Education Foundation Scholarship Program available to employees and their dependents.

• Comprehensive succession planning and opportunities to advance careers.