Category and Space Planning Manager

Analyticsmart; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Prime offices in Toronto, Montreal, NY

Job summary

Analyticsmart Consulting Inc. seeks a Category and Space Planning Manager to optimize product assortments, shelf space, and layouts across retail formats. You will leverage data analysis and planogram tools to drive decisions, improve profitability, and enhance customer experience.

You will lead category strategies, analyze sales and inventory, and collaborate with buyers, vendors, and store operations to ensure optimal product placement. Strong analytics and stakeholder management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business or related field.
• 5+ years experience in category management or space planning.
• Proficiency with space planning software and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with goals.
• Analyze sales, margin, and inventory data to identify opportunities for assortment optimization.
• Create and maintain planograms using space planning software.
• Partner with buyers, vendors, and store operations teams for optimal placement.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis.
• Lead category reviews and space resets across store formats.
• Collaborate with supply chain to align space plans with stock levels.
• Monitor and report KPIs like sales per square foot and inventory turns.
• Manage new store layouts and remodels from a space planning perspective.
• Present findings to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with brand standards and visual merchandising guidelines.

Skills

Category management

Space planning

Retail merchandising

Analytical skills

Excel

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Stakeholder management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Management, or related field

Tools

JDA Space Planning

Nielsen Spaceman

RELEX

Job description

About Analyticsmart Consulting Inc.

Analyticsmart is a boutique analytics firm specializing in the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry across Canada and the United States. Our mission is to transform data into meaningful, measurable, and actionable insights that drive growth and profitability for businesses.

What Sets Us Apart

• Expansive bonus and incentive structure
• Prime office locations (Toronto, Montreal, NYC)
• High-growth, innovation-driven environment
• Exposure to both emerging brands and global enterprises
• Strong culture of ownership, collaboration, and impact

The Opportunity

The Category and Space Planning Manager is responsible for optimizing product assortment, shelf space, and store layout to maximize sales, profitability, and customer experience. This role combines category management expertise with space planning and merchandising strategy, using data analysis and planogram tools to drive decisions across the retail footprint.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with overall business and merchandising goals
• Analyze sales, margin, and inventory data to identify opportunities for assortment optimization
• Create and maintain planograms and floor plans using space planning software (e.g., JDA/Blue Yonder, Nielsen Spaceman, RELEX, or similar)
• Partner with buyers, vendors, and store operations teams to determine optimal product placement and shelf allocation
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to inform category and space decisions
• Lead periodic category reviews and space resets across store formats
• Collaborate with supply chain and inventory teams to ensure space plans align with stock levels and replenishment cycles
• Monitor and report on category performance KPIs (sales per square foot, sell-through rate, inventory turns, margin contribution)
• Manage new store layouts, resets, and remodels from a space planning perspective
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with brand standards, visual merchandising guidelines, and store execution requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Retail Management, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in category management, space planning, or retail merchandising
• Proficiency with space planning/planogram software (e.g., JDA Space Planning)
• Strong analytical skills with experience in Excel, SQL, or BI tools (Tableau, Power BI)
• Solid understanding of retail metrics (GMROI, sell-through, inventory turns, sales per square foot)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Success in This Role

• Projects are delivered accurately on time and with clear ownership across all participating vendors.
• Walmart stakeholders receive concise, objective insights and recommendations that are easy to act on.
• Vendor communication is organized, professional and consistent, with risks and decisions documented early.
• Category deliverables meet high standards for data quality, analytical rigor, storytelling and presentation readiness.
• Processes become more efficient through stronger planning, reusable tools and disciplined follow-up.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Attention to detail with a strong visual/spatial sense
• Data-driven decision making
• Collaboration and cross-functional influence
• Adaptability in a dynamic retail environment

The Pay Range For This Role Is

75,000 - 85,000 CAD per year(Analyticsmart)