Director, Strategic Initiatives (Marketing & Brands)

Loblaw Companies Limited; Brampton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Canada's retail sector seeks a Director of Strategic Initiatives to empower product management and sustainability efforts across its extensive portfolio. The role demands a leader with experience, creativity, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, overseeing high-impact projects that ensure the future success of various product lines.

Benefits

Comprehensive training programs.

Flexibility in work arrangements.

Competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of product management experience.
• Advanced understanding of marketing and merchandising.
• Experience in packaging or printing industry is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of multi-year project plans.
• Support team in managing supplier timelines across a global vendor base.
• Develop relationships with internal stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Communication

Education

University degree in Business, Marketing or Merchandising

Job description

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

As Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, we play an important role in bringing about positive environmental and social change – both nationally and in the communities we serve. We aspire to lead change where it matters most, and we are proud to share with our stakeholders the actions we are taking to address some of the pressing challenges facing Canadians and our business.

With a passion sustainability and creative thinking, you will work closely as a member of the Loblaw Marketing and Brands Enablement Team, the Director of Strategic Initiatives will drive the overall planning and implementation of large-scale conversions across our portfolio of brands that include President’s Choice, PC, No Name, Blue Menu, Farmers Market, Club Pack, PC Organics, Life Brand and Life at Home.

Your Impact

As a leader within the Strategic Initiatives team in Loblaw Marketing & Brands, you’ll be a driving force in setting the path for the next 3-5 years of portfolio futureproofing. The Director is responsible for supporting the vision, building plans to get there, and coaching a team of Product experts to execute big ideas. Your team will deliver a roster of high-impact initiatives across the Loblaw Brands product portfolio, including regulatory redesigns, sustainability-focused work, and overall helping to future-proof over 10,000 products for Canadians.

What You Bring:

• An energy and passion for environmental sustainability!
• A unique view for managing ambiguity, and an ability for bringing teams together to deliver big ideas
• Experience in managing product development processes, and understanding of the broader stakeholder groups required to implement portfolio-wide projects
• An ability to think outside the box, and a sense for thinking critically about new challenges
• An ability to tell a story through data, and an eye for reporting
• Leadership capabilities to help your team grow in their roles and develop plans for future career growth

What You’ll Do

• Support your team of Product Managers in owning the development and implementation of multi-year project plans, with key milestones for data collection, opportunity identification, and tracking supplier timelines across a global vendor base
• Build and foster relationships across a wide network of internal stakeholders, including Product Leadership, Regulatory Affairs, Creative Agency, and Marketing
• Support senior leadership in the long-term visioning for Next Big Ideas
• Lead monthly reviews with individual product teams to update on progress within existing portfolios, advise and support teams on material considerations for new product development, and escalate delays as required
• Support tracking of estimated financial impact and work with Sourcing and Procurement supports to develop business cases for approval
• Lead weekly and monthly status update meetings with various levels of leadership within the Loblaw Brands team
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with all stakeholders to ensure proper execution of product launches and optimum service levels
• Ability to manage and mentor Product Managers and respond effectively to employee relations issues

Job Qualifications:

• University degree in Business, Marketing or Merchandising preferred
• 3 – 5 years of product management, merchandising or equivalent experience
• Project management experience, and experience in the packaging or printing industry is an asset
• Advanced level of initiative and judgment is required to organize and prioritize tasks, workload, and multiple projects
• Exceptional decision-making skills required to achieve organizational objectives with an understanding and consideration to the impact on other work groups
• Highly adaptable to set and prioritize work with varying exceptions
• Diplomacy, constructive thinking, and innovative approach to drive solutions
• Advanced understanding of marketing, merchandising practices and procedures
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Advanced computer skills to produce effective reports, documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• Communicate with clarity in all situations including written, verbal and group settings

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.

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