Category Manager

Canco Petroleum; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Category Manager to join their team in Kelowna. In this pivotal role, you will manage product portfolios, develop category strategies, and lead initiatives that enhance customer experience and drive revenue. Collaborating closely with various departments, you will ensure effective execution of strategies while maintaining a strong focus on performance and profitability. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a forward-thinking company that values innovation and teamwork. If you have a passion for category management and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

15 days Vacation

RRSP matching

Extended Health and Dental Insurance

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Category Management or related fields.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own category strategy, pricing, and vendor relationships.
• Translate insights into actionable business plans.
• Collaborate with marketing and operations for execution.

Skills

Category Management

Product Management

Sourcing

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

POS Data Tools

Inventory Management Tools

Job description

Who We Are

At Canco, we’re Canadian born and raised. We are an independent chain of gas stations launched in 2016. A bold alternative to big-box retailers, Canco was born from a vision to become a leading gas retailer brand. We purchase directly from major fuel refineries and terminals in Canada to ensure premium products are offered at competitive prices. Proudly local, we put people first and run our business with honesty, integrity, and excellence.

The Role

We are looking for a Category Manager to join our growing team in Kelowna, BC. In this role, you won't just manage products—you'll own portfolios, develop category strategies, and lead initiatives that improve performance and drive revenue across our network of stores. Working closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Design, you’ll be responsible for turning insights into impact.

You will lead both sourcing and program development in your assigned categories—building the right assortment, setting strategic pricing, developing promotions, negotiating with vendors, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure effective in-store execution. Your role is pivotal in transforming the customer experience, increasing basket size, and positioning Canco as a convenience retail leader.

This position reports to the Senior Manager, Marketing & Category, and is central to our broader plan to build a modern, performance-driven category management function—one that’s aligned with marketing, operations, and strategic business goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Own category strategy, assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and vendor relationships for assigned categories.
2. Translate customer insights, market trends, and performance data into actionable business plans and revenue-driving programs.
3. Develop supplier partnerships that enhance value, improve margins, and support Canco's brand positioning.
4. Lead end-to-end sourcing: product selection, negotiations, contract terms, and vendor onboarding.
5. Collaborate with store operations and marketing to support flawless in-store and digital execution.
6. Develop promotional calendars in partnership with marketing to support seasonal programs and new product launches.
7. Maintain ongoing P&L ownership—review category KPIs and optimize for performance and profitability.
8. Support store planogram development in partnership with design and operations.
9. Contribute to team planning cycles including annual budgeting, promotional forecasting, and new product evaluation.
10. Participate in business reviews with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive alignment and continuous improvement.
11. Travel periodically to Canco locations to gather insights, audit programs, and support local execution.
12. Perform other duties as needed.
    
    

What You Bring

1. 3+ years of relevant experience in Category Management, Product Management, Sourcing, or Buying—preferably in convenience, grocery, liquor, or QSR channels.
2. Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience owning and optimizing category P&Ls.
3. Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into business decisions.
4. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and bring ideas to life from concept through execution.
5. Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
6. A builder's mindset: proactive, entrepreneurial, and comfortable with change and ambiguity.
7. Intermediate to advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; familiarity with POS data and inventory tools.
8. Experience with product assortment planning, merchandising, and supplier management.
9. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
   
   

Benefits

1. 15 days Vacation
2. RRSP matching
3. Extended Health and Dental Insurance
   
   

This role is a Permanent Full-Time position at our Kelowna BC Head Office.