Harbor Freight Tools

Senior Analyst, Merchandising Strategy

Harbor Freight Tools$93K — $139K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BA/BS from a top-tier university
  • 4+ years of progressive work responsibility
  • Experience in merchandising/category management, management consulting, corporate strategy, or investment banking
  • Financial analysis or business intelligence experience is a plus
  • Strong analytical skills and comfort with large datasets

Responsibilities

  • Drive strategic project management across key functions
  • Facilitate alignment between stakeholders and manage project timelines
  • Build and maintain reporting for KPIs and performance tracking
  • Synthesize large datasets into actionable insights
  • Identify process inefficiencies and contribute to improvements
  • Assist in the execution of merchandising programs
  • Provide analytical support for promotional events and pricing initiatives

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage
  • 401k plan enrollment for eligible associates
  • Accrue up to 236 hours of paid time off annually
  • Paid sick time up to 80 hours annually
Full Job Description
Job Description

This position plays a central role within Merchandise Strategy & Operations, driving Merchandising execution by shaping insights, improving processes, and orchestrating cross functional alignment. The position partners with teams across Merchandising, Marketing, IT, and Finance to support high-priority initiatives and ensure consistent execution.

The individual will translate strategy into action by supporting project delivery, building reporting and KPI visibility, and identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and tools. The role is focused on improving day-to-day operations, reducing friction for Merchants, and enabling more efficient, scalable ways of working.

This is a strong fit for an early-career professional with an analytical or consulting background who is looking to gain exposure to retail merchandising strategy and operations while developing practical execution experience.

Candidates for this role should bring a well-rounded skillset, with the ability to structure ambiguous problems, build quantitative models, lead cross-functional discussions, and drive decisions through implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Drive Strategic, Cross-Functional Project Management
    • Support execution of high-priority initiatives for Leadership across Merchandising, Marketing, IT, and Finance
    • Facilitate alignment across stakeholders, managing timelines to deliver results .
  • Develop Insights, Analytics, and Business Intelligence
    • Build and maintain recurring reporting (e.g., KPIs, executive requests, performance tracking)
    • Synthesize large datasets into clear insights using Excel, SQL, or Tableau to support decision-making
  • Improve Tools & Processes
    • Identify inefficiencies in Merchandising workflows; contribute to process improvements with SOPs and governance models
    • Support implementation and adoption of tools (e.g., pricing systems and reporting dashboards)
  • Support Ongoing Merchandising Initiatives
    • Assist with analysis and execution of Merchandising programs (e.g., replacement parts)
    • Provide analytical and operational support for promotional events and pricing
Scope
  • Staff supervision and development: No
  • Decision making:
    • Develop strategy, perform analytics, influence stakeholders, manage projects
  • Travel: Up to 5%
  • Flex Designation: Anywhere

The anticipated salary range for this position is $93,000 - $139,500 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.

Requirements

Education and Experience
Education Requirements
  • BA/BS from a top tier university
Years of Experience
  • 4+ years of progressive work responsibility
  • Prior merchandising/category management, management consulting, corporate strategy, or investment banking experience preferred
  • Financial analysis or business intelligence experience is a plus (e.g., pricing, analytics, or P&L management)
Skills
  • Project Management
    • Self-starter; ability to move projects forward with minimal direction
    • Must be able to perform under pressure, short deadlines and in high visibility settings
    • Project management skills; detail-oriented with ability to manage a large volume of project tasks and keep a project on track to achieve objectives on time
  • Problem Solving
    • Accustomed to working efficiently; expert in assessing a situation, making a decision, and filtering ambiguity into actionable key next steps and decisions that need to be taken
    • Strong understanding of strategic frameworks, financial data, problem-solving, and analytical skills; comfortable working with ambiguity
    • Ability to design and implement cross-functional processes that fulfill business and functional requirements
  • Communication & Collaboration
    • Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to tell clear and compelling stories using data and analytics
    • Strong relationship-building, influencing, and change management skills, with the ability to partner effectively across teams and levels of the organization
  • Well-Rounded Qualitative & Quantitative Skills
    • Experience working in a high growth environment, with consistently shifting priorities
    • Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
    • Strong analytical skills; comfort with large datasets, experience structuring problems
    • Experience with SQL and BI tools is a plus (Tableau, Looker, PowerBI)
    • Exposure to CPG, Retail, or Ecommerce strongly preferred
    • Dedicated to the success of HFT with a high level of interest in making a significant impact on the growth of the company
Physical Requirements
Corporate - Remote - General office environment requiring ability to:
  • Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time .
  • Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
  • Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
  • The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
Safety
Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.

About Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools is a privately held discount tool and equipment retailer headquartered in Calabasas, California. The company was founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt and has grown to become one of the largest tool and equipment retailers in the United States. Harbor Freight Tools offers a wide range of products, including hand tools, power tools, automotive tools, generators, air compressors, and welding equipment. The company operates over 1,000 stores across the United States and employs over 20,000 people.
Learn more about Harbor Freight Tools
Size
20,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1977

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