Market Research Analyst

InReach is seeking a Market Research Analyst

This is a remote role

The Market Research Analyst plays a critical role in supporting purchasing, merchandising, and operations by analyzing market conditions, customer trends, inventory data, and competitive insights.

This role partners closely with branch operations, purchasing, and merchandising teams to ensure accurate ordering, effective product placement, and data-driven decision-making across unattended retail environments, including vending and micro-markets.

As part of a centralized purchasing team, this role supports 2–3 assigned branches and helps ensure products move efficiently from vendor to customer. The ideal candidate understands the end-to-end operational process, is comfortable working with large datasets, and can confidently challenge assumptions to drive accurate ordering, execution, and results.

• Analyze existing and potential product and service markets, including customer demand, inventory levels, and competitive activity at both local and national levels
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to customers, competitors, purchasing trends, and branch inventory accuracy
• Prepare clear, actionable reports that translate market conditions and data insights into recommendations for purchasing and merchandising decisions
• Maintain and manage databases, online data collection tools, reporting platforms, and vendor portals to ensure data accuracy and accessibility
• Support purchasing analysis tools that determine ordering needs based on branch inventory, usage patterns, and customer demand
• Partner directly with branch operations to validate actual product needs, resolve discrepancies, and ensure orders are accurate and aligned with demand
• Calculate and monitor metrics using account-level and branch-level data to track performance and trends
• Manage data quality assurance processes, identifying data integrity issues and making corrections to ensure reliable reporting and delivery
• Compile, format, and edit data files to support presentations, dashboards, and operational reporting
• Support merchandising efforts, including product setup in POS systems, planogram development, and execution follow-up with branches
• Collaborate with merchandising teams to ensure products are correctly placed, maintained, and executed according to plan
• Provide ongoing support to operations teams by answering day-to-day questions related to incentives, reporting, purchasing, and data insights
• Assist with the creation, review, and delivery of education and training materials, including web-based training sessions
• Troubleshoot data and reporting issues in partnership with operations teams, ensuring timely resolution and continuous improvement

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• Strong analytical skills with advanced experience working with large datasets in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI strongly preferred
• Experience pulling and analyzing data from enterprise systems such as SAP or similar purchasing and inventory platforms
• Background in operations, purchasing, merchandising, or supply chain, with a solid understanding of how products move from vendor to customer
• Experience supporting unattended retail environments such as vending and micro-markets, including familiarity with planograms and POS systems
• Ability to navigate online ordering systems and vendor portals (market connections not used)
• Strong understanding of the impact purchasing and merchandising decisions have on branch performance and customer satisfaction
• Comfort working directly with branch teams, serving as a trusted partner while constructively challenging data, assumptions, and ordering practices
• Excellent communication and customer service skills; able to articulate issues clearly and drive resolution
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on data accuracy, quality assurance, and continuous improvement
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative team environment (one of five team members), reporting into leadership within the purchasing and merchandising organization

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience