Product Analyst

Hybrid: Markham, Ontario

Job Description:

About Us 

Pet Valu is Canada’s leading pet specialty retailer, dedicated to strengthening the bond between dedicated pet lovers and their pets. With 50 years of animal care expertise, we operate over 800 stores across Canada under several banners, including Pet Valu, Bosley’s, Total Pet, Paulmac's Pet, Tisol & Chico. Guided by our mission to deliver products, care, expertise, and memorable moments, Pet Valu is a place where people build meaningful careers while making a positive impact on pets and communities.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Product Manager, the Product Analyst is a supportive role, that will assist in project managing the critical path of product launches from concept to execution. This highly cross-functional role facilitates the on-strategy and timely delivery of the Stage Gate process for new products and updates to existing products. This highly hands on role requires a roll-up your sleeves attitude and a results driven mindset. Success in this role will require a highly organized, detail-oriented (accurate and thorough), excellent communicator who can effectively collaborate cross-departmentally, who is solutions-oriented and who thrives in a high-tempo, dynamic and changing environment. 

Essential Duties                                                                                     

Product

• Manage all aspects of new item setup and item maintenance. This includes vendor data, life cycle and listing types, item descriptions, web info and appropriate duty classification & import permits are in place.

• Generates and compiles data as requested by Product Managers for use in product opportunity evaluation from both internal and external sources.

• Manages packaging review process with both internal teams and external third-party vendors and consultants (Proofing, translations and AAFCO Consulting) to ensure timely delivery of packaging materials.

• Collaborate with Marketing Manager to execute marketing/promotional activities e.g., sample coordination, social media, fulfilment of vendor support agreements, shelf talkers and product imagery, etc.

• Assist Product Manager with evaluation of component cost changes through production and analysis of cost change templates

• Maintains competitive pricing analysis file for use in evaluating and recommendation of  pricing across various Proprietary Brands for both existing and new product pricing evaluation.

• Act as a liaison between the project team and design team to ensure accuracy & consistency of brand artwork and dyelines

• Support the PM in chairing kick-off meetings to ensure team alignment to the project strategy by gathering information and samples.

• Collaborate with Merchandising, Marketing & Training team to prepare store communications for new products, sales information, training materials, POP packages, etc.

• Work cross functionally with web site team to ensure correct product content, copy and images

Project Management

• Develop project timelines and continually communicate to cross-functional team members

• Monitor the development and execution process to ensure on- time and on-strategy delivery of new products and updates to existing products.

• Manage the critical path for all active projects and report on project status.

• Task management in Asana

Vendor Management

• Processes and tracks all Vendor invoicing to ensure timely payment and proper designation of charges.

• Support vendor communications regarding, product setups, product specifications and cost adjustments as necessary.

• Requests and coordinates product samples from vendors as required.

• Handles vendor questions/issues/problems on an as needed basis

• Maintain all product specifications up-to-date within all relevant systems (including but not limited to GS1, Simplista)

• Collect and keep up-to-date all product specifications

• Liaise with the vendor and internal quality assurance team to ensure all product or customer related concerns and/or requests have been addressed

Reporting

• Gathers competitive information such as new product launches, new brand launches, and maintains competitive vendor catalogues (product images and Features & Benefits information) for easy product comparisons and analysis.

• Tracks and reviews sales performance of new launches relative to forecast and identifies divergence from anticipated performance. 

• Generates and analyzes data concerning item performance and provides recommendations to Product Manager and Merchandising concerning possible changes or improvements.

Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications

• Strong time management skills and problem-solving skills.

• Strong work ethic with a passion for detail and accuracy

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Adept at working cross-functionally and collaboratively.

• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment.

• Willingness to roll up sleeves and get things done.

• Strong analytical skills.

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with a high sense of urgency.

• Proactive thinker and doer – anticipate issues before they arise, has a strong pride of ownership to see projects through end to end.

• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with vendors and colleagues, including Senior Management.

• Relevant post-secondary education.

• Demonstrated strong knowledge and experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint

• Experience with Tableau and Asana is considered an asset

• Private Brands experience with a retailer is a plus.

Compensation: 

The targeted salary range for this position is $56,700-$60,000 annually. The final offer will be based on factors such as market location, relevant skills, experience and internal equity. 

Ready to join the team?  

We’re looking for passionate people who bring strong skills and live our core values of safety, compassion, expertise, and efficiency every day. If you’re energized by doing meaningful work, taking pride in what you deliver, and making a real impact for pets, people, and communities, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us and build a career where purpose, care, and excellence come together - because love lives here™. 

Why work for us? 

 At Pet Valu, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about creating an environment where you feel supported, included, and empowered to grow - both personally and professionally. Some of the perks of working with us include:  

• Hybrid, Flexible Work Options 

• Comprehensive health and dental benefits 

• Employee Share Purchase Plan with company matching 

• Learning and Development support tailored to you 

• An inclusive, collaborative culture where your voice matters  

• Fun company events that keep us connected 

• Preferred rates for car rentals, hotels, phone plans and gym discounts 

• Generous employee discounts on our products  

Pet Valu is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and accessibility. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). 

At Pet Valu, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring practices. This posting is for an existing vacancy. Pet Valu may use AI enabled technology to assist in the recruitment process for positions. The use of AI helps us ensure we are providing an equitable and streamlined recruitment experience for all applicants. While AI tools support our recruitment process, all decisions throughout the process are made exclusively by Pet Valu’s hiring team. At no stage does AI determine recruitment outcomes.