Entry Level Data Entry Clerk – Remote Merchandise Analytics & Retail Forecasting Specialist (Excel-Driven Reporting Role)

Launch Your Analytics Career with arenaflex: Remote Entry Level Data Entry Clerk in Retail Merchandise Planning

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for numbers, data analysis, and retail operations? arenaflex, a forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering analytical talent, is partnering with one of the most recognized names in global retail pharmacy to bring on a Remote Merchandise Analytics Specialist for a six-month contract engagement. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of merchandise planning, reporting, and forecasting while working entirely from the comfort of your home office.

Our client operates an extensive retail pharmacy network serving millions of customers daily, with a vast Front End business encompassing thousands of products across multiple categories. The Merchandise Planning Analytics team, supported by arenaflex, is responsible for delivering actionable insights, building analytical tools, and producing executive-level recaps that drive strategic decision-making for over 100 merchants and 40 planners. As an Entry Level Data Entry Clerk on this team, you will play a critical role in shaping how product performance is tracked, analyzed, and optimized at the item level.

This is more than a typical data entry position — it is an immersive introduction to retail merchandising analytics, category management, and forecasting. If you have a knack for working with large data sets, an intermediate to advanced command of Microsoft Excel, and a desire to grow within the analytics field, this opportunity is designed for you.

What Makes This Role Unique

The Remote Merchandise Analytics Specialist position blends traditional data entry responsibilities with higher-level analytical work. Rather than simply inputting numbers, you will be entrusted with the analysis and synthesis of thousands of Own Brand (private label) items, producing recaps that inform critical business decisions. Your work will directly influence forecasting accuracy, sales strategy, and inventory optimization across a multi-billion-dollar retail operation.

At arenaflex, we believe in cultivating talent. This role is ideal for early-career professionals who have completed a Bachelor’s degree and are eager to apply their academic background in a real-world setting. Whether your degree is in analytics, finance, business, mathematics, or a related field, this position will allow you to refine your skills while contributing meaningfully to a high-impact project.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Brand Reporting and Analysis: Take ownership of regular and ad-hoc reporting for Own Brand (private label) merchandise, including tracking performance metrics and producing detailed recaps based on evolving business needs.
• Item-Level Historical Recapping: Analyze historical sales data at the item level, identifying trends, patterns, and anomalies that inform future planning decisions.
• Item-Level Forecasting: Build future-looking forecasts for thousands of individual Own Brand items, projecting sales, demand, and sell-through based on historical performance and demand patterns.
• Large Data Set Management: Synthesize massive data sets into meaningful executive recaps that communicate complex insights clearly and concisely.
• Excel-Based Tool Development: Utilize complex Excel formulas, pivot tables, macros, and analytical models to support merchandising and planning teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Develop effective working relationships with Merchandising, Planning, Finance, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and accuracy of reporting.
• Ad-Hoc Support: Respond to time-sensitive analytical requests from leadership, delivering insights that support strategic decision-making.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline reporting processes and enhance the efficiency of data analysis workflows.

Work Environment and Schedule

arenaflex is committed to providing a flexible, supportive remote work environment. This position is 100% remote, allowing you to work from anywhere within the Central Standard Time (CST) zone. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. While hours can be flexible based on personal productivity preferences, candidates must commit to a minimum of 30 hours per week to fulfill business needs. This arrangement provides the autonomy to structure your workday while maintaining consistent availability for team collaboration and deliverables.

Essential Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree required, ideally in analytics, data science, finance, financial analysis, business administration, or a related quantitative field.
• Professional Experience: At least 3 to 5 years of experience in analytics, data science, merchandising, assortment planning, retail, procurement, purchasing, or a closely related discipline.
• Retail Merchandising Knowledge: Minimum 3 years of experience in data analytics with a strong understanding of retail merchandising basics, including category management and organizational structures.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Outstanding analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Storytelling Finesse: Ability to present data-driven narratives through visualizations and written recaps that resonate with executive audiences.
• Quantitative Modeling: Demonstrated ability to conduct complex quantitative analysis and build analytical models using Microsoft Excel.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills, particularly in crafting executive-level presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Time Management: Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments while meeting tight deadlines.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong relationship-building skills to collaborate effectively with Merchandising, Planning, Finance, and other cross-functional teams.
• Independent Work Ethic: Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and adapt to changing work priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Retail Math Acumen: Solid understanding of retail metrics, including item-level forecasting, sell-through rates, sales and profit goals, inventory metrics, and Average Unit Retail (AUR) impacts.
• Microsoft Excel Mastery: Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including SUM/SUMIFS, Subtotals, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, Macros, and Pivot Tables. This is the most critical skill for the role, as the majority of work will be performed in Excel.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: MBA preferred; degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or other quantitative analytical disciplines are a plus.
• Data Science Experience: Exposure to data science methodologies, tools, or projects.
• Retail Industry Experience: Prior experience working within the retail sector, particularly in merchandising or planning functions.
• Technical Skills: Working knowledge of SQL coding, Microsoft Access, and macro building is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies for Success

To thrive in this role, you will need a combination of technical acumen, analytical curiosity, and interpersonal savvy. The ideal candidate is someone who can dive deep into data without losing sight of the broader business context. You should be comfortable navigating ambiguity, asking the right questions, and translating raw numbers into stories that inform strategy.

• Attention to Detail: Precision is critical when working with thousands of item-level data points.
• Curiosity and Initiative: A proactive mindset that seeks to understand the “why” behind the numbers.
• Adaptability: Comfort with shifting priorities and evolving business needs.
• Collaboration: A team-oriented approach to working with stakeholders across the organization.
• Continuous Learning: A desire to grow professionally and develop new analytical skills.

Career Growth and Learning Opportunities

Joining arenaflex as a Remote Merchandise Analytics Specialist is more than a short-term contract — it is a career-launching opportunity. You will gain exposure to the inner workings of a major retail pharmacy’s merchandise planning function, building a portfolio of analytical work that demonstrates your ability to deliver insights at scale. The six-month contract has the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role based on performance and business needs. Throughout your engagement, you will have access to mentorship, professional development resources, and the chance to sharpen skills that are highly transferable across the retail, e-commerce, and consumer goods industries.

Company Culture at arenaflex

arenaflex is built on the principles of flexibility, empowerment, and excellence. We partner with leading organizations to deliver high-quality analytical talent, and we treat every team member as a valued professional. Our culture emphasizes:

• Remote-First Flexibility: Work from anywhere in the CST zone with the tools and support you need to succeed.
• Collaborative Spirit: Join a network of analytical professionals who share knowledge and support one another.
• Growth-Oriented Environment: We invest in our people and provide pathways for career advancement.
• Inclusive Workplace: arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Compensation and Benefits

While specific compensation details will be discussed during the interview process, arenaflex offers competitive contract rates commensurate with experience and skills. As a remote contractor, you will enjoy the benefits of working from home, flexible scheduling within the required hours, and the opportunity to build your professional network within the retail analytics space. Depending on contract terms, you may also be eligible for performance-based incentives and potential conversion to a full-time role with comprehensive benefits.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take the next step in your analytics career and join a dynamic team at arenaflex, we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to apply your Excel expertise, analytical mindset, and retail knowledge in a role that truly makes an impact. Don’t miss this chance to work with industry leaders, develop your forecasting skills, and contribute to the success of one of the largest retail pharmacy operations in the world.

Apply today and start your journey with arenaflex. Your future in retail analytics begins here.