Director, Category Brand Incubation & Corporate Programs

Loblaw Companies Limited; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail pharmacy chain in Toronto is seeking a Director, Category Brand Incubation & Corporate Programs. The role involves identifying and onboarding new brand partnerships, executing corporate programs, and leading a small team. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in Category Management or Brand Development with strong strategic thinking and project leadership skills. This full-time position offers opportunities to innovate health and wellness in Canada.

Benefits

Purchase discount program

Competitive pay

Online learning through Academy

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Management, Buying, Brand Development, or Business Development roles.
• Deep understanding of go-to-market strategy and vendor negotiations.
• Highly organized, with exceptional time management and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Analyze market trends and competitive intel to identify brand opportunities.
• Lead brand scouting strategy and manage commercial negotiations.
• Own corporate programs from concept to execution.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Vendor negotiations

Project leadership

Data analysis

Brand relationship skills

Education

7+ years of experience in Category Management or Brand Development

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Retail systems knowledge

Job description

Location:

243 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4W8

At Shoppers Drug Mart, we’re innovating health and wellness in Canada. From prescriptions to walk-in clinics, and a beloved loyalty program, we’re caring and supporting our customers in new ways every day.
With more than 1,300 locally owned and operated stores from coast to coast, the Shoppers Drug Mart network is more than a great place to shop, it’s a great place to work.We’re committed to building our talented team who champion collaboration, kindness and inclusivity. Join our team, and help recognize a healthy future for your career and for all Canadians.

Why this role is important?

Reporting to: VP, Prestige Beauty Category Management
Direct Reports: 1 Manager, Product development

As the Director, Category Brand Incubation & Corporate Programs, you will play a critical leadership role within the Prestige Beauty Category Management team. You will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new brand partnerships to Shoppers Drug Mart, while simultaneously developing and executing corporate programs that drive brand discovery, elevate the customer experience, and deliver profitable growth. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, strong brand relationship skills, and sharp executional focus.

You will lead the process of bringing breakthrough brands to market, managing each stage from initial scouting and pitch through to handoff to the respective Category Director for ongoing management. You will also own the end-to-end development of key corporate initiatives such as Discovery Sets, Beauty Bundles, and the Beauty Advent Calendar, managing timelines, partners, forecasts, and internal stakeholders to ensure flawless execution and performance tracking.

Key Responsibilities:

Brand Incubation & Launch:

• Analyze key data sources including market trends (Canada, U.S., Europe), competitive intel, CRM insights, social listening, and internal sales data to identify high-potential white space and brand opportunities.
• Lead the brand scouting strategy by identifying brand owners, initiating outreach, and presenting the Shoppers Drug Mart value proposition and platform.
• Facilitate and lead Go/No Go meetings, ensuring all key cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Merchandising) are aligned.
• Negotiate commercial terms including, distribution model (DC/DSD), and launch support.
• Be point of contact and guide new vendors through onboarding requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Category Directors to execute a seamless brand handoff post-onboarding.

Corporate Program Leadership:

• Own the full lifecycle of corporate programs from concept to execution—including theme ideation, product curation, pricing, forecasting, brand participation, and delivery.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on packaging innovation, ensuring programs are both compelling and profitable.
• Manage annual planning calendars, critical paths, and alignment with seasonal marketing and merchandising campaigns.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Merchandising, and Supply Chain to ensure flawless execution and alignment to business goals.
• Conduct detailed post-program performance reviews, identifying insights and recommendations to improve future iterations.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and mentor 1 direct report (Manager, Product Development), providing guidance, coaching, and development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and strategic agility within the team.
• Represent the department in senior leadership meetings and special projects as required.

Who You Are:

• 7+ years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Brand Development, or Business Development roles; beauty industry experience strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of go-to-market strategy, vendor negotiations, and cross-functional project leadership.
• Experience developing or managing packaged programs, promotional sets, or beauty innovation boxes is a plus.
• Strategic thinker who can identify long-term opportunities but also execute flawlessly in the short term.
• Clear communicator and persuasive presenter, capable of influencing internal stakeholders and external brand partners alike.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and managing competing priorities with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Highly organized, with exceptional time management and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of EDI, SAP, or retail systems a plus.

Why work at Shoppers Drug Mart?

Acting as consultants, supporting internal customers and the Associate-Owners, you will get experience unique to the retail industry while working for an award-winning national brand. Benefit from a purchase discount program, competitive pay and online learning through Academy.

Take ownership of your work and find more ways to care about your work, co-workers, customers and community.

How You’ll Succeed:

At Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., we seek great people to continually strengthen our culture. We believe great people model our values, are authentic, build trust and make connections.

If that sounds like you, and you are open-minded, responsive to change and up to the challenges provided in a fast-paced retail environment, apply today.

Employment Type:

Full time

Type of Role:

Regular

Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. recognizes Canada's diversity as a source of national pride and strength. We have made it a priority to reflect our nation’s evolving diversity in the products we sell, the people we hire, and the culture we create in our organization. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired.

In addition, we believe that compliance with laws is about doing the right thing. Upholding the law is part of our Code of Conduct – it reinforces what our customers and stakeholders expect of us.

Please Note: If you have Employee Self Service (ESS) on Workday, apply to this job via the Workday application.

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