What is a category analyst?

A category analyst is a professional who is responsible for analyzing data related to a particular product category or service, such as food, apparel, electronics, or telecommunications. The main objective of a category analyst is to identify trends, patterns, and gaps in the market by analyzing data on sales, customer behavior, competitor activities, and other market-related information. A category analyst also develops insights and recommendations for product positioning, pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies to optimize sales and profitability within the category. Generally, a category analyst requires analytical and problem-solving skills, strong attention to detail, sharp business acumen, and the ability to work collaboratively with different business units, such as marketing, sales, and operations. They often have a background in business, analytics, or economics and possess skills in data management, statistical analysis, and software tools such as Excel, SQL, and Tableau.