At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data intelligence to enhance trading performance and drive automation in our Merchandise team.
- Company: Join Foodies, a 100% Kiwi-owned co-op dedicated to community and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, health insurance, professional growth, and fun team events.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with diverse opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail with data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in business intelligence and advanced Power BI skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the team
Things move quickly here at Foodies and our Merchandise team is no exception. This is the team that connects the product to the customer – decisions around range, pricing, promotions, and how we show up on the shelf. From partnering with suppliers to digging into the data, we’re always striving to deliver better value and better experiences for our customers. We're an ambitious bunch who value clarity, accountability and follow-through, and in a nutshell, would describe our culture as “work hard, have a laugh.” We’ve got some real momentum heading into the second half of 2026 and are looking for people passionate about shaping how we win and grow together. Join us and feed the South.
About the role:
As our Data Intelligence Lead, you'll support our Merchandise teams make sense of complex information and turn it into practical actions that improve trading performance. Reporting to the Merchandise Commercial Manager, you'll bring together information from multiple sources, uncover opportunities and provide clarity on what's happening across categories, pricing, promotions and supplier performance, enabling more data-driven decision making across the Merchandise Division. You'll also play a key role in shaping how automation and AI are adopted across Merchandise, identifying smarter ways of working and helping us get more value from the tools and technology available to us.
Key Responsibilities
- Extract and interpret information to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
- Create forecasting models and scenario planning tools that support trading priorities.
- Develop Power BI reporting and visualisation solutions that improve business visibility.
- Drive automation initiatives that streamline processes and reduce manual effort.
- Lead, coach and mentor a Merchandise Data Intelligence Analyst.
About you:
You'll be a technically capable people leader currently working in business intelligence, commercial analytics, data & insights or similar. You’ll enjoy solving complex problems and can translate technical findings into practical recommendations. Ideally, you’ll also bring:
- Experience within business intelligence, reporting, commercial analysis or trading support functions.
- Advanced Power BI skills, including modelling, visualisation and solution design.
- Strong technical expertise across large datasets, coding, system integration and transformation activities.
- Previous experience leading, coaching or developing team members.
- Exposure to FMCG, retail, merchandise environments, cloud-based platforms or emerging technologies.
Don't Meet Every Requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for individuals with diverse experiences and are keen to hear from those who believe they have the drive and potential to succeed in this role.
How to apply:
Ready to take on the challenge? Click “apply” to apply for the role! Applications will close 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August and will only be accepted via our careers site. If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email careers@foodstuffs-si.co.nz
Why join us?
Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives. We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few. We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, access to online wellbeing tools, and a prayer and privacy room onsite. We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities. We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by Furry Friend Fridays and monthly social events! We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength. Our Papanui based office has free carparking, an in-house café.
About us:
We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 180 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island. We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau. Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.
Our values:
At Foodies, together we drive success to be our best and care for our whānau. We recognise that it takes a collective effort to achieve success, and we thrive on fostering a culture of collaboration to drive innovation and embracing challenges as a united team. We are committed to supporting our people, and to positively impact the lives of South Islanders every day.
Merchandise Data Intelligence Lead in Christchurch employer: Foodstuffs
At Foodstuffs, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our Hornby location provides unique benefits such as free parking, an in-house café, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including health insurance and access to online training resources. Join our vibrant team where collaboration and fun are at the heart of what we do, making every day rewarding as we serve our South Island communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandise Data Intelligence Lead in Christchurch
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Foodstuffs!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandise Data Intelligence Lead in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Foodstuffs, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodstuffs
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Foodstuffs’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
