Customer Sales Analyst; Kroger Account

Position: Customer Sales Analyst (Kroger Account)
** Job Details:
***
* Reports To:

** Team Performance Manager
*
* Location:

** Springdale, AR
** Position Summary
** The Customer Sales Analyst plays a key role in supporting the Kroger account team by combining business analysis, customer planning, and account support responsibilities. This role is responsible for driving forecast accuracy, managing trade and financial processes, and ensuring seamless execution of customer events and initiatives. In addition, the position provides critical support to the Customer Development Manager (CDM), including maintaining customer systems, managing item and pricing updates, and collaborating directly with Kroger’s category management team and their support staff.

Success in this role requires strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to partner effectively across internal teams and with Kroger counterparts.
** Key Responsibilities
**** Reporting & Analysis
*** Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts by analyzing shipments, consumption trends, and customer data.
* Support forecast review processes with Customer Development Managers (CDMs) to align forecasts with business and customer expectations.
* Support the forecast lock process to ensure accuracy and alignment across stakeholders.
* Keep trade reconciled and update relevant tracking grids.
* Monitor performance against forecast accuracy targets and identify root causes for variance.
* Conduct retail store visits to observe execution and provide actionable insights on distribution, merchandising, and promotional compliance.
* Build, publish, and maintain routine reporting on:  + Volume and spending (forecast accuracy)  + Post-event analysis  + Deductions and liabilities  + Open liabilities
* Execute disciplined close processes, including the review and clean-up of open liabilities with emphasis at period and quarter close.
* Leverage Power BI applications (e.g., BOSS, Customer Experience) for insights, ensuring consistent adoption of reporting standards and naming conventions.
* Support CDMs in becoming proficient users of reporting tools, enabling more self-sufficient access to insights.
** Trade System Planning & Reconciliation
*** Enter customer and internal event plans into the trade management system, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with planning timelines.
* Partner with CDMs to align event forecasts with promotional plans.
* Track and reconcile deduction balances and liabilities to support financial accuracy during period and quarter close.
* Provide guidance for spend allocation to the deduction analyst for promotional and post-audit deductions.
* Ensure event planning data is accurate and consistent across systems, applying standard naming conventions and reporting practices.
** Account Support & Collaboration
*** Enter and maintain item set-ups, location updates, price changes, and contracts in Kroger’s systems.
* Support the CDM by attending select meetings with Kroger’s category manager and providing follow-up as needed.
* Interface directly with Kroger’s category manager support staff to address administrative issues and ensure timely resolution.
* Partner with CDMs, finance, and planning teams to resolve discrepancies, ensure data accuracy, and support flawless execution at the customer.
* Maintain detailed documentation and records of customer submissions to support compliance and audit readiness.
** Team & Engagement
*** Actively contribute to team meetings, forums, and engagement activities.
* Share retail observations and best practices to strengthen team knowledge.
* Recognize team contributions and foster a collaborative work environment.
** Qualifications & Skills
*** Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
* 3+ years of experience in sales analysis, demand planning, or trade management (CPG or retail account experience preferred).
* Experience with retailer systems (Kroger systems strongly preferred).
* Proficiency with analytical and reporting tools (Power BI, Excel, etc.).
* Strong financial acumen and experience with trade spend, deductions, and period close processes.
* Excellent attention to detail, organizational…