Category Business Manager

Canadian Tire; Toronto; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Tire in Toronto, ON is seeking a Category Business Manager to own merchandising strategy across the Party City Microseasons portfolio, driving financial performance and category plans.

You will lead assortment planning, pricing strategy, promotional execution, and vendor negotiation, while coaching a Category Business Analyst and collaborating cross-functionally to meet targets.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in Category Management or progressive growth in a relevant cross-functional role.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute business plans that achieve financial performance and operational targets.
• Strong business acumen with expertise in retail marketing, consumer trends, and inventory management.
• Superior innovation management skills with an absolute commitment to consumer-focused initiatives.
• People management skills with a demonstrated ability to develop others.
• Superior leadership skills and a strong sense of accountability, passion, and results delivery.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to regularly influence and persuade key stakeholders.
• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience.
• Ability to travel 2-4 weeks per year.

Responsibilities

• Act as subject-matter expert for the Party City Microseasons portfolio (Easter, Summer, Christmas, NYE, etc.).
• Develop categorical understanding of consumer trends, competitive dynamics, and CTR store execution requirements.
• Ensure financial accountability for the category by adhering to predefined CTR strategy objectives and guidelines.
• Support assortment analysis and development on SKU lines, setting and delivering against categorical assortment plans.
• Plan and execute the full line review process, including assortment and pricing approvals, import trip planning, vendor negotiation, and timeline delivery.
• Recommend action plans for item discontinuation and pricing adjustments.
• Define and execute promotional plans, including promotional item selection and offer development to meet financial objectives.
• Provide content for store education on product and process topics.
• Develop, mentor, and coach the Category Business Analyst through clear performance objectives and timely feedback.

Skills

Category Management

Retail merchandising

Analytical rigour

People leadership

Stakeholder influence

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Post-secondary education or equivalent

Job description

Canadian Tire Corporation is looking for a Category Business Manager to join their team in Toronto, Ontario. Reporting to the AVP, Party City Merchandise, this is a full-time role that puts you at the centre of merchandising strategy, giving you direct accountability for the financial performance of key seasonal categories under the Party City portfolio.

If you're the kind of professional who gets energized by tackling new challenges, thinking like an entrepreneur, and building category plans from the ground up — this role was designed with you in mind. You'll be working across assortment planning, pricing strategy, promotional execution, and vendor negotiation, all while leading and developing a Category Business Analyst on your team.

About the Role: Category Business Manager

As the go-to subject-matter expert for the Party City Microseasons portfolio — which includes Easter, Summer, Christmas, NYE, and more — you'll develop a deep understanding of consumer trends, competitive landscape, and the operational nuances of CTR store execution. Financial accountability is central to this position, with clear expectations tied to predefined strategy objectives and guidelines.

You'll also be responsible for the full line review process, from assortment and pricing approvals to import trip planning, vendor relationship management, and timeline delivery. Collaboration is key here — you'll work cross-functionally, influence stakeholders, and provide store teams with the product and process education they need to succeed.

Benefits and Salary

Canadian Tire offers a competitive salary for this role, with a typical hiring range of $81,000 to $120,000 CAD annually (broadband range up to $131,000 CAD), depending on experience, skills, and other factors. In addition to pay, employees enjoy comprehensive benefits and retirement programs, performance incentives, continuing education programs, career growth opportunities, product discounts, and mental health benefits of up to $5,000 per year for eligible employees and their families. Canadian Tire also offers Canadian Tire Profit Sharing and other well-being perks.

Job Details

Job Type: Full-Time

Company: Canadian Tire

Location: Toronto, ON

Requisition ID: JR166029

Date Posted: October 2, 2026

Pay: $81,000 – $120,000 CAD per year (typical hiring range)

Responsibilities

This role spans a wide range of merchandising and category management activities. From building seasonal assortment plans to coaching direct reports, the day-to-day work is varied, strategic, and highly cross-functional. Staying on top of consumer trends while executing against tight financial targets is a core part of what makes this position challenging and rewarding.

• Act as subject-matter expert for the Party City Microseasons portfolio (Easter, Summer, Christmas, NYE, etc.)
• Develop categorical understanding of consumer trends, competitive dynamics, and CTR store execution requirements
• Ensure financial accountability for the category by adhering to predefined CTR strategy objectives and guidelines
• Support assortment analysis and development on SKU lines, setting and delivering against categorical assortment plans
• Plan and execute the full line review process, including assortment and pricing approvals, import trip planning, vendor negotiation, and timeline delivery
• Recommend action plans for item discontinuation and pricing adjustments
• Define and execute categorical promotional plans, including promotional item selection and offer development to meet financial objectives
• Provide content for store education on product and process topics
• Develop, mentor, and coach the Category Business Analyst through clear performance objectives and timely feedback

Requirements / Skills

The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on retail merchandising expertise. Canadian Tire is looking for someone with a track record of delivering results through both analytical rigour and strong people leadership — someone who can influence stakeholders and drive consumer-focused initiatives forward.

• 5 years of experience in Category Management or progressive growth in a relevant cross-functional role
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute business plans that achieve financial performance and operational targets
• Strong business acumen with expertise in retail marketing, consumer trends, and inventory management
• Superior innovation management skills with an absolute commitment to consumer-focused initiatives
• People management skills with a demonstrated ability to develop others
• Superior leadership skills and a strong sense of accountability, passion, and results delivery
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to regularly influence and persuade key stakeholders
• Post‑secondary education or equivalent experience
• Ability to travel 2-4 weeks per year