Merch Ops - Business Acceleration, Manager

At CVS Health, we're building a world of health around every consumer and surrounding ourselves with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about transforming health care.As the nation's leading health solutions company, we reach millions of Americans through our local presence, digital channels and more than 300,000 purpose-driven colleagues - caring for people where, when and how they choose in a way that is uniquely more connected, more convenient and more compassionate. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Business Overview:

At CVS Health, we are joined in a common purpose: helping people on their path to better health. We are working to transform health care through innovations that make quality care more accessible, easier to use, less expensive and patient-focused. Working together and organizing around the individual, we are pioneering a new approach to total health that puts people at the heart.We strive to promote and sustain a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging every day. CVS Health is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, ethnicity, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or protected veteran status or on any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. We proudly support and encourage people with military experience (active, veterans, reservists and National Guard) as well as military spouses to apply for CVS Health job opportunities.

• Perform analysis to identify sales, cost, and profit opportunities across SKUs and vendors through rigorous analysis and research, including: assessment of SKU/Vendor/Brand/Promotional incrementality, competitive benchmarking (space, brands, SKUs), market insights, customer insights (surveys, Customer analytics), vendor insight (cost structures, motivations), and extensive SKU/brand/vendor-level analysis (relative productivity, profitability, brand loyalty, transferability, etc.).
• Enact a customer-first perspective, understanding when to approach problems through a macro, cross-team lens, necessary to reflect how customers shop at CVS (e.g., trips, basket analyses).
• Based on data analytics, drive the execution of performance improvement projects, including getting stakeholder buy-in from cross-functional teams (e.g. Merchandising, Inventory, Analytics).
• Establish working relationships and gain support across all levels and functions within the enterprise including Category Managers, Divisional Merchandising Managers (Sr. Directors), and Retail Team Merchandising Managers (VPs).
• Develop analytical materials to be shared internally during category reviews and assortment discussions with the Merchandising team.
• Provide direct vendor negotiations support to Merchants, including developing "Ask" materials to be shared with vendors.
• Enhance and enforce documentation, archiving, and audit processes for agreements with vendors.
• Work on special projects, ad hoc analysis, and initiatives related to assortment performance and cost reduction and management.
• Use a 'Test and Learn' mindset: assist in designing initiative pilots and deploying in select number of stores to measure and assess. Determine how and when to scale successful cases.

• Intense interest in learning new things and intellectual curiosity
• An open and honest communication style that quickly builds trust and respect
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to conceptualize complex quantitative analysis and build analytical models using Microsoft Excel and other tools/platforms (e.g. Tableau) (or if limited prior experience - quickly learn to be an expert in Excel)
• Ability to communicate to management & key stakeholders with poise and credibility
• Ability to communicate effectively and succinctly, both verbally and in writing via Microsoft PowerPoint
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with Merchandising Directors & other stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing work priorities
• The candidate selected for this position will be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who is intellectually curious with a demonstrated interest in learning. This person will also need to be a self-motivated, entrepreneurial, high-energy individual who can easily function in a high demand, performance-driven environment.

• 1+ years of analytical and problem-solving skills
• 1+ years of experience using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint

• Merchandising experience - understanding of retail merchandising basics (i.e., category management), and merchandising organizational structures and processes

• Education : Four-year college degree ; some advanced training in Finance, Economics, Mathematics and/or other quantitative analytical degree a plus

• Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
• No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
• Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.