Associate Category Manager, Store Supplies & Uniforms

Loblaw Companies Limited; Brampton; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Loblaw Companies Limited, Brampton, seeks an Associate Category Manager for Store Supplies & Uniforms to develop category strategies, manage supplier relations, and administer contracts. You will perform analyses, model scenarios, and support e-Sourcing initiatives to maximize value across assigned categories.

You’ll build category baselines, manage supplier performance, and collaborate with business stakeholders to reflect needs in sourcing activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business Management, or a related field is required.
• 1-3 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or similar analytical function.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to summarize complex data into actionable insights.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Access or similar data tools is a plus.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct supply market, category, supplier, and spend analyses to identify sourcing opportunities, risks, and potential savings.
• Build and maintain category baselines and translate data into insights and recommendations.
• Support category strategy development and execution, including baselines, scenario modelling, and KPI assessments.
• Analyze supplier bids and proposals with cost and price analysis; apply multivariable techniques when appropriate.
• Develop supplier profiles, assess risk, and quantify opportunities using historical and market data.
• Support supplier relationships, performance, risk, compliance, and continuous improvement activities.
• Prepare and assess sourcing scenarios and support e-Sourcing activities and supplier engagement.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and reflect needs in sourcing activities.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc analyses and presentations for category management and stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel & PowerPoint

Communication skills

English fluency

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Fieldglass

E-Sourcing

Job description

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®. At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

The Associate Category Manager, Store Supplies & Uniforms will join a team of others reporting to the Director, Strategic Sourcing Store Supplies. You will heavily support the development and execution of category strategies, strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier relationship management, and contract administration. This role combines strong analytical capability with supplier and stakeholder engagement to identify sourcing opportunities, manage risk, improve category performance, and support value delivery across assigned categories.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct supply market, category, supplier, and spend analyses to identify sourcing opportunities, market developments, risks, and potential savings.
• Build and maintain category fact bases using multiple data sources; translate complex or ambiguous data into clear insights and recommendations.
• Support category strategy development and execution, including sourcing baselines, scenario modelling, benefit assessments, and key performance metrics.
• Analyze supplier bids and proposals, including advanced cost and price analysis and multivariable regression techniques where appropriate.
• Use historical and market data to develop supplier profiles, assess risk, and quantify opportunities.
• Support and help manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance, risk, compliance, and continuous improvement activities.
• Prepare and assess sourcing scenarios and support e-Sourcing activities, including supplier engagement and e-catalogue enablement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements, resolve issues, and ensure sourcing activities reflect business needs.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc analyses and presentations for category management and business stakeholders.

Contract & Procurement Support

• Assist in the preparation and initial review of various contract documents (e.g., Master Agreements, Statements of Work, Confidentiality Agreements), by referencing company policy and basic contract principles, and by relaying feedback from Business Stakeholders.
• Provide initial support for inquiries from Business Stakeholders related to contract documents and explain recommended processes to Business team members for various contract-related requests (e.g., termination requests, scope commitments).
• Assist with the development of contract summaries, including risk summaries.
• Review legal terms in contracts to identify potential discrepancies or areas needing further alignment with procurement objectives, legal requirements, and company policies.
• Handle various administrative tasks, such as managing enterprise contract tools, coordinating and tracking internal approval and signature processes to meet deadlines, and responding to general contract-related inquiries.
• Track contract renewal dates and flag upcoming expirations to ensure necessary actions are taken before the contract ends.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business Management, or a related field or
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, financial analysis, or another analytical business function.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct reliable quantitative analysis and summarize complex data into actionable insights.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Microsoft Access or similar data tools is an asset.
• Basic understanding of contract provisions, contract administration, and risk identification.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas and analysis in clear, business-friendly language.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with stakeholders and management at different levels.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Assets

• Experience in category management or strategic sourcing within a retail environment.
• Experience with SAP, Ariba, Fieldglass, or e-Sourcing platforms.
• Experience reviewing Repair & Maintenance, Construction & Design, Store Supplies, or related contracts.
• Category-specific knowledge and experience with supplier performance measurement and tracking.

Our Culture

At Loblaw, we respect the environment, source products with integrity and make a positive difference in the community. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers.

Loblaw recognizes Canada's diversity as a source of national pride and strength. We have made it a priority to reflect our nation’s evolving diversity in the products we sell, the people we hire, and the culture we create in our organization.

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

Please Note

Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.

Hiring Range / Échelle salariale à l’embauche :$52,000.00 - $71,500.00 / 52.000,00$ - 71.500,00$ (per year / par an)A candidate’s experience and knowledge as well as the geographical region in which the position is located may be factored into the pay a candidate receives for this position. This posting is for an existing vacancy. The Company uses artificial intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing and/or selecting applicants for this position. / L’expérience et les connaissances d’un candidat ainsi que la région géographique dans laquelle le poste est situé peuvent être prises en compte dans la rémunération qu’un candidat reçoit pour ce poste. Cette offre d’emploi concerne un poste vacant existant. L’entreprise utilise l’intelligence artificielle dans le but de filtrer, d’évaluer et/ou de sélectionner les candidats à ce poste.