Category and Space Planning Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus and incentives

Prime offices in Toronto and Montreal

Exposure to global brands

Job summary

Analyticsmart is a boutique analytics firm focused on the CPG sector across Canada and the United States. We optimize product assortment and store layouts to maximize sales and customer experience, leveraging data-driven space planning and planogram tools.

The Category and Space Planning Manager role drives category strategies, analyzes performance, and partners with buyers and store ops to execute optimal product placement across formats. Strong analytics and collaboration are essential.

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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 Space Planning).
• 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.

Skills

Space planning

Category management

Retail merchandising

Excel

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

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

Tools

JDA Space Planning

RELEX

Nielsen Spaceman

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

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.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we optimize decision-making and operational efficiency, helping brands gain a competitive advantage.

Founded in 2009, Analyticsmart has built long-standing partnerships with global brands and retailers. With offices in Toronto, Montreal, and New York City, we are a financially disciplined, growth-focused organization scaling into larger enterprise opportunities.

What Sets Us Apart

• Expansive bonus and incentive structure
• Prime office locations (Toronto, Montreal, NYC)
• 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
• 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)