Category Manager

Vast-Auto Distribution; Brampton; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in automotive parts distribution is seeking a Category Manager to oversee product categories and drive business strategies. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and financial skills, along with a passion for innovation and collaboration. This role involves maximizing profitability and developing strategies aligned with corporate goals.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant buying experience.
• Ability to synthesize market insights for business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Maximize revenue and profitability metrics.
• Implement product assortment and sales plans.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.

Skills

Communication

Financial Acumen

Data Management

Problem Solving

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Direct message the job poster from Vast-Auto Distribution

Why join the Vast Auto Distribution team?

Vast-Auto Distribution, a subsidiary of O’Reilly Automotive Inc., is a leader in the distribution and marketing of automotive parts for auto parts stores in Eastern Canada. It offers its customers a complete business solution, including a wide range of quality parts, innovative marketing programs, training, and business management systems. Vast-Auto currently operates 23 company-owned stores across five Canadian provinces.

Vast-Auto Distribution manages the M Mécanique 360, Certified Auto Service, Auto Mecano and OCTO Auto Service Plus banners. To lead today, we had to surround ourselves with the best. Some 500 passionate, talented men and women faithful to the Vast Auto culture contribute to our success.

In order to continue our growth and ensure our customer satisfaction, we are looking for another passionate team player to join us.

Your contribution:

Under the supervision of the Director of Merchandising, the Category Manager will be responsible for managing multiple product categories, ensuring alignment with business goals and growth strategies. This role is accountable for market share, shrink, and the categories across both corporate stores and wholesaler customers. As a Category Manager, you'll drive the business end-to-end—developing strategies, implementing tactics, and maintaining expertise in your product categories through ongoing market research, product and supplier analysis, and detailed financial analysis. Strong collaboration with various departments and stakeholders is key to success in this role. We are looking for a self-starter, an excellent communicator, and someone eager to grow with the company while demonstrating superior leadership and negotiation skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maximize revenue and profitability metrics by leveraging existing company frameworks and collaborating on the development of new reporting metrics.
• Implement product assortment, sales, and buying plans tailored to customer needs and business objectives. Continuously review and adjust plans throughout the year to ensure targets are met.
• Partner with the O'Reilly US team to develop innovative and differentiated products that drive growth for proprietary brands and align with overall strategic goals.
• Provide merchandising direction for assigned categories, ensuring consistent communication and clarity across teams.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to optimize sales and profitability.
• Take full ownership of key decisions and results; demonstrate a passion for the business and a commitment to developing yourself and your colleagues.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings (e.g., JBP, Promotions, Ad Hoc Cross-functional presentations).

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or 3-5 years of relevant buying experience.
• Exceptional communication skills—effectively communicating up, down, and across the organization.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L statements.
• A deep understanding of the market and competitive landscape, with the ability to identify and seize opportunities.
• Proven track record of developing short- and long-term plans aligned with corporate strategies.
• Progressive, innovative mindset: actively seeks out opportunities to improve competitiveness and embraces an innovative approach.
• Ability to synthesize customer, competitor, and market insights to inform business decisions.
• Strong data management and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Creative problem-solver and strategic thinker with a solid work ethic.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Do you want to become an important asset of Vast Auto Distribution?

Send us your resume. If your application is retained, we will contact you to schedule a phone interview.

Note: the masculine is used to lighten the text and is not intended to be restrictive. Vast-Auto

Distribution respects the principles of employment equity.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance, Management, and Purchasing

• Industries

  Automotive

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Vast-Auto Distribution by 2x

Get notified about new Category Manager jobs in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Senior Brand Manager - Meals & Baking Canada

Marketing Manager- Starbucks (Foodservice)

Senior Category Manager (Travel, Corporate Card, Insurance)

Assistant Manager Marketing - Candy and Mints

Category Manager – Information Technology

Associate Category Customer Sales Planning Manager

Finance Manager, Category and Digital Transformation

CS&P and Category Operations Associate Manager: Haircare

Category Capabilities Manager - 12 month contract

Marketing Manager, Deloitte Global Sustainability & Growth (12-month Secondment/FTC)

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.