Category Business Manager - Backyard Fun

Canadian Tire; Toronto; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Sharing

Product discounts

Continuing education programs

Mental health benefits

Job summary

Canadian Tire is seeking a Category Business Manager to deliver financial and strategic plans for Backyard Fun categories, including Backyard Amusement, Pools & Spas, Pool Chemicals, Pool Toys & Accessories and Seasonal Toys.

You will own assortment, pricing, promotion, and vendor strategies across stores and digital channels, translating customer insights into actionable category plans and supporting strong execution marketplace-wide.

Qualifications

• 5 years in Category Management experience or progressive cross-functional role.
• Strong business acumen in retail marketing, consumer trends, and inventory management.
• Travel up to 2-4 weeks per year domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of the financial plans for the assigned categories (sales, shipments, margin, inventory turns).
• Develop and execute 3-year category strategies aligned to CTR's Seasonal & Gardening vision and priorities.
• Lead assortment architecture, lifecycle management, and innovation across brands and private label.
• Set pricing and promotional strategies balancing competitiveness, margin, and value.
• Build strategic vendor partnerships including negotiations and JBP.

Skills

Category Management

Retail Strategy

Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Post-secondary education or equivalent experience

Job description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Backyard Living, Backyard Fun & Seasonal, the Category Business Manager (CBM) is accountable for delivering the financial and strategic plans for the Backyard Fun categories, which includes Backyard Amusement (Swing Sets, Trampolines & Inflatables), Pools & Spas, Pool Chemicals, Pool Toys & Accessories and Seasonal Toys.

This role is responsible for developing and executing assortment, pricing, promotion, and vendor strategies that drive profitable growth, strengthen Canadian Tire Retail's competitive position, and deliver compelling value to our customers. The CBM plays a critical role in translating customer insights and market trends into actionable category strategies while ensuring strong execution across stores and digital channels.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery of the financial plans of the assigned categories, including sales, shipments, margin, and inventory turns


• Develop and execute 3-year category strategies aligned to CTR's Seasonal & Gardening vision and enterprise strategic priorities


• Lead assortment architecture, lifecycle management, and innovation pipelines across national brands, and private label


• Establish and execute pricing and promotional strategies that balance competitiveness, margin delivery, and customer value


• Act as the subject matter expert for the Backyard Fun business, with a deep understanding of consumer needs, competitive landscape, market trends, and store execution requirements


• Build and maintain strategic vendor partnerships, including negotiations, line reviews, joint business planning, and issue resolution


• Partner cross-functionally with Inventory & Forecasting, Marketing & Promo Planning, Digital & eCommerce, Supply Chain, Quality and Store Operations


• Translate customer and market insights into clear, executable plans that improve in-store and online experiences


• Lead and develop direct report (Category Business Analyst) and cross-functional partners through strong coaching, prioritization, and performance management

Requirements

• 5 years in Category Management experience and/or progressive growth in a relevant cross functional role


• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute business plans and initiatives that will achieve financial performance and operational targets


• Strong business acumen skills; demonstrated expertise of retail marketing, consumer trends, and inventory management


• Absolute commitment to delivering consumer-focused initiatives; possess superior innovation management skills


• Strong people management skills with demonstrated ability to develop others


• Superior leadership skills and presence; highly developed sense of accountability, passion and track record for delivering results


• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills; regularly influences and persuades key stakeholders


• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience


• Ability to travel 2 - 4 weeks per year, including both domestic and international

Compensation & Benefits

Broadband Salary Range: $81,000 - $131,000 CAD. Typical hiring range: $81,000 - $106,000 CAD. Comprehensive benefits and retirement programs, performance incentives, continuing education programs, mental health benefits of $5,000 per year for eligible employees and families, Canadian Tire Profit Sharing, product discounts, and career growth opportunities.

5+ years in Category Management or progressive cross-functional retail role; post-secondary education or equivalent experience; ability to travel 2-4 weeks per year domestically and internationally