Category Assistant-General Merchandise

The North West Company; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The North West Company is seeking a Category Assistant to support the Category Manager with day-to-day category operations in Winnipeg. You will compile data, maintain vendor directories, and respond to inquiries from Stores and Category teams, while supporting promotional activities and planogram reviews.

This role requires strong MS Office skills, good communication, and attention to detail; travel to stores is required up to 30 days per year.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–3 years of administration or office support experience.
• Post-secondary education in business or related field is an asset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate data and information required for items and verify accuracy of the list.
• Schedule and coordinate category calendar and vendor meetings.
• Validate vendor submissions and forward to Data Management for processing.
• Respond to questions from Data Management to ensure item setup accuracy.
• Communicate item updates to stores and submit category updates as needed.
• Assist with Store Connect tickets for category issues and escalate as required.
• Compile data and draft reports/presentations for Category Manager approval.
• Support monitoring of promotional planning and planogram reviews.
• Perform administration related to category promotional activities.
• Analyze weekly, monthly, and quarterly variance reports as requested by Category Manager.
• Travel to store locations; up to 30 travel days per year.

Skills

Office administration

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Education

Business college diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

In your role as a Category Assistant at The North West Company (NWC); you will be responsible to assist the Category Manager with the day-to-day tasks of managing the category. You will compile data and reports required to monitor the Category performance, maintain vendor directory, investigate and respond to Stores and Category teams inquires regarding the category; and provide support for all category promotional activities.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

• Coordinates the data and information required for item and verifies list is accurate.
• Coordinates Category calendar and vendor meetings.
• Validates vendor submissions and submits to the Data Management team for processing.
• Responds to questions from the Data Management teams to ensure complete and accurate item setup.
• Sends communications to stores about item updates.
• Submits necessary category updates for communication.
• Responds to Store Connect tickets assigned to the Category Team, ensuring the resolution of store issues, and escalating when necessary to ensure a satisfactory conclusion for all tickets.
• Compiles data and draft reports and presentations for Category Manger approval.
• Supports the Category Manger in the monitoring of promotional planning and planogram reviews.
• Performs the administration related to Category promotional activities.
• Conducts analyses as requested by the Category Manager for weekly, monthly, and quarterly variance reports.
• Reviews and monitors reporting as required and takes necessary actions or escalates as needed.
• This role requires travel to store locations. Travel may include overnight stays for up to 5 consecutive days, with an estimated total of up to 30 travel days per year

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience working in an office support and/or in an administrative assistant role is required.
• Post-secondary education in business or related field or a College diploma is an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a focus on: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must have demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills are required
• Must be detail conscious and demonstrate a high level of accuracy.

Location:

77 Main St, Winnipeg, MB (Gibraltar Hours)

Reports To:

Category Manager

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

• Being Enterprising
• Committing to our Customer
• Working with Passion
• Leading and Developing Others
• Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity
• Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.

For Internal Employees Only:

Internal employees are required to apply within 5 days of the position being posted. Applications received after this period may still be considered. This opportunity adheres to the corporate job posting guidelines.