Category Merchant

Big Box Outlet Store; Abbotsford; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

On-site free parking

Gym membership subsidy

Group RRSP from day one

Job summary

Big Box Outlet Store is seeking a Category Merchant in Abbotsford to source, purchase, and manage product assortments across multiple categories for an off-price retailer.

You will own the full purchasing lifecycle from vendor sourcing to pricing, logistics, in-store merchandising direction and performance analysis, collaborating across teams to ensure inventory is allocated effectively.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail buying for a multi-store retailer, ideally in discount/off-price retail.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of Excel and understanding of AI.
• Understanding of supply chain processes.
• Familiarity with freight logistics and customs for domestic/international shipments.
• Proficiency with purchase order systems, inventory tracking, and sales/margin reporting tools.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase products across categories through closeouts, overstock, and reverse logistics.
• Attend trade shows to identify opportunities and place orders in booths.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors to support sourcing strategy.
• Set retail pricing in line with SOPs and plan promotions, markdowns, and end-of-season clearance.
• Collaborate with merchandising, DCs, and stores to allocate inventory and launch products.
• Coordinate advertising and promotional initiatives; manage POs and data for performance analysis.
• Develop UPC tracking and analyze sales, margin, and inventory trends.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Pricing strategy

Analytical mindset

Project management

Tools

Excel

Purchase order systems

Job description

Who are we?

Big Box Outlet has been a Canadian family-owned business since 1985. Our mission is “Helping People Afford Everyday Life,” and we do this by offering quality brand-name products at discounted prices. We are experts at finding brand-name items through our reverse logistics and other purchasing channels and sell them through our 21 stores across BC and Alberta. We know how important saving money is for our customers, and we work hard to make sure we deliver value every single day.

Position Overview

The Category Merchant is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing product assortments across multiple categories in an off-price retail environment. This role owns the full purchasing lifecycle — from vendor sourcing and trend research through pricing, logistics, in-store merchandising direction and performance analysis — while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure inventory is allocated effectively and categories are launched successfully.

Why should you join our team?

• Competitive Base Salary from $65,000 to $80,000 per year.
• Fun working environment
• We are a growing business with aspirations to become a national brand.
• Casual dress & On-site free parking space.
• Employee’s discount on in-store purchases.
• Diverse workplace that encourages inclusivity.
• Extended Health & Dental benefits from the first day
• GYM membership subsidy
• Group RRSP from the first day

Why you will be a good fit for this role?

• Strong ability to manage competing priorities and make independent, timely decisions
• Effective problem-solving in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment
• Comfort taking ownership of new categories and responsibilities as the business grows
• Clear cross-functional communication with merchandising, DC, and store teams
• Analytical mindset with attention to pricing, margin, and market positioning
• Understanding of the off-price retail environment and the specific buying, negotiating and execution of “deal” purchases

Key Responsibilities:

Product Sourcing & Trade Engagement

• Source and purchase products through closeouts, overstock, and reverse logistics across assigned categories (i.e., HomeGoods, Clothing, Sporting Goods, HABA or Food) for an off-price retailer
• Attend trade shows to identify new product opportunities.Engage with the vendor community at the trade shows and be prepared to place orders while in the booths.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors to support sourcing strategy for an off-price retailer

Pricing, Promotions & Clearance Planning

• Set retail pricing in line with merchandising SOPs
• Plan promotions, markdowns, and end-of-season clearance strategies
• Monitor competitor pricing to ensure market competitiveness

Vendor Management & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Manage day-to-day vendor relationships and negotiate terms
• Collaborate with merchandising, distribution centers, and stores to allocate inventory and launch new products
• Partner cross-functionally to support advertising and promotional initiatives
• Purchase Orders, Data Management & Performance Analysis
• Create and maintain purchase orders across assigned categories
• Develop and maintain UPC tracking systems for new and existing products
• Analyze sales, margin, and inventory trends to inform purchasing decisions

Requirements:

• Experience in retail buying (min. 5 years) for a multi-store retailer, ideally within a discount or off-price retail environment
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills
• Excellent knowledge of Excel and an understanding of AI
• Innate understanding of supply chain processes
• Working knowledge of freight logistics and customs documentation for domestic and international shipments
• Proficiency with purchase order systems, inventory tracking, and sales/margin reporting tools
• Excellent communication and project management skills.