Category Manager - Food Service & Grocery

INS Market; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Health benefits after three months

Growth opportunities within the organization

Job summary

A national convenience store chain based in Toronto seeks a motivated Category Manager – Food Service & Grocery. This onsite role involves managing and growing food service and grocery categories across their stores, driving sales and customer engagement through precise assortment planning and vendor partnerships. The ideal candidate will possess 2–5 years of relevant experience and strong analytical capabilities. This position offers a base salary of $50,000 annually along with performance-based bonuses and benefits after three months.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising.
• Experience in convenience retail, grocery, food service, or CPG strongly preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, onsite corporate environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned food service and grocery categories across a national store network.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory, and performance trends to optimize assortment and pricing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Vendor management

Negotiation skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Relationship-building skills

Tools

Excel

Reporting tools

Job description

Category Manager – Food Service & Grocery

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated and commercially focused Category Manager – Food Service & Grocery to support a national convenience store chain headquartered in downtown Toronto. This onsite role is responsible for managing and growing assigned food service and grocery categories across a multi-store network.

The Category Manager will play a key role in driving sales, margin, and customer engagement through strategic assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and vendor partnerships in a fast-paced convenience retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage assigned food service and grocery categories across a national store network
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with company growth objectives
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory, and performance trends to optimize assortment and pricing
• Source new products and manage national and regional vendor relationships
• Lead vendor negotiations, costing reviews, and promotional funding discussions
• Plan and execute promotions, seasonal programs, and new product launches
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, merchandising, and supply chain teams
• Monitor inventory levels to reduce shrink, out‑of‑stocks, and over‑stock situations
• Track key category KPIs and prepare performance reports and recommendations
• Stay current on convenience retail, food service, and grocery trends

Qualifications & Experience

• 2–5 years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising
• Experience in convenience retail, grocery, food service, or CPG strongly preferred
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and reporting tools
• Experience managing vendors and negotiating pricing and programs
• Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, onsite corporate environment
• Commercial and financial acumen
• Vendor and stakeholder management
• Strategic planning and execution
• Attention to detail with a results‑oriented mindset

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $50,000 annually
• Bonus: Performance‑based incentive structure
• Benefits: Health and related benefits available after three months of employment
• Opportunity for growth within a national retail organization