Category Manager - Food

The North West Company; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organization in Winnipeg is seeking a Regular Full-Time Category Manager. In this role, you will define category strategy, manage the Category Team, and secure strong supplier relationships to optimize financial performance. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of category management experience and a degree in a related field. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, along with a chance to make an impact in underserved communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in category management required.
• Experience leading and managing a small team is required.
• Strong analytical and financial analysis skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Define category strategy and drive category sales and profit growth.
• Manage and develop the Category Team.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable terms.

Skills

Category management experience

Team leadership

MS Office Suite proficiency

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Commerce, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management

Tools

Excel

Job description

Overview

The North West Company (TNWC) is seeking a Regular Full-Time Category Manager. You will be accountable to define category strategy and own the results, make sourcing and assortment decisions, and drive category sales and profit growth through data driven decision-making and innovation.

The Category Manager uses financial data, customer research, market data, and industry information to better meet the needs of our unique consumer and to optimize financial performance through regular monitoring and innovation. You will develop, formulate, and execute tactics within the context of the overall category strategy, including assortment planning, procurement, merchandising, retail pricing and promotion, as well as managing vendor relationships and supply agreements. As a leader, you will manage and develop the Category Team to achieve Category Performance.

Joining TNWC gives you the opportunity to develop in the Merchandising Department and throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

TNWC is a leading retailer to underserved 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

• As the Category Manager you are the subject matter expert for your Category and build plans around category product, promotion and placement to drive financial performance.
• You will build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure the most favorable terms, costs, product and quality of goods for TNWC and our customers.
• Developing a connection with the remote communities we serve through in-community work experience to create customer-centered business plans.
• Develop market data and our consumer behavior to find innovative ways to drive performance in your category.
• Develop plans with measurable objectives that include advertising, in-store specials and special buys.
• Set the initial sales, gross profit, and inventory forecasts used in developing the final operating budget and develop plans to achieve annual budgets.
• Work with Merchandising Services to monitor and recommend pricing, stock levels that deliver on category performance.
• Provide advice to Operations on Category opportunities.
• Provide leadership and management of initiatives to the department's Category Assistant.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years\' experience in category management is required and / or must have a post-secondary education (Bachelor's or Master\'s degree) in Commerce, Marketing or Supply Chain Management; additional experience in lieu of education may be considered.
• Experience leading and managing a small team is required.
• Solid experience with MS Office Suite including above average knowledge of Excel.
• Must have demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and financial analysis capabilities.
• Ability to set priorities and manage priorities of the team.
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to teach and monitor performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.

Location: Gibraltar House - 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports to: Senior Category Manager, Category Management.

Culture and Inclusion

• 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.
• We create a collaborative and constructive culture by being enterprising, committing to our customers, working with passion, leading and developing others, demonstrating respect and inclusivity, and building trust.

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