Senior Category Manager, Grocery and General Merchandise

JRoss Recruiters; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable recruiting agency is seeking a Category Manager in Toronto, Canada. The role involves developing category strategies for grocery and general merchandise, leading supplier negotiations, and managing purchasing processes. Ideal candidates will have 5–7 years of experience in category management along with a relevant degree. The position offers a competitive salary and a supportive workplace.

Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

Performance-based incentives

Opportunities for career advancement

Supportive and collaborative workplace

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in wholesale or category management.
• Strong supplier relationship management experience.
• Experience in start-up retail settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies across multiple product categories.
• Lead bulk purchasing and negotiate supplier partnerships.
• Analyze trends and optimize category performance.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field

Tools

Procurement and inventory management systems

Excel

Job description

Develop and execute category strategies across grocery and general merchandise, including:

• Fresh and packaged foods
• Grocery staples and consumables
• Household and cleaning supplies
• Apparel and footwear
• Consumer electronics and appliances
• Seasonal, promotional, and opportunistic items

Lead bulk purchasing and negotiate supplier partnerships to secure competitive pricing, volume discounts, and strong margins.

Build scalable buying and category management processes suited to a high-volume start-up setting.

Analyze trends, customer insights, and competitive dynamics to identify new product opportunities and optimize category performance.

Monitor inventory levels and guide replenishment processes to ensure availability, cost efficiency, and sell-through.

Evaluate supplier performance, reliability, and product quality.

Use sales, margin, and category analytics to forecast demand and refine purchasing strategies.

Manage category budgets and deliver margin, profitability, and inventory targets.

Track KPIs related to category performance, vendor metrics, and purchasing efficiency.

Apply merchandising principles, including space utilization, product density, and presentation standards.

Assess category movement and customer traffic patterns to measure the impact of promotions, seasonality, and assortment decisions.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of experience in wholesale/liquidation purchasing, category management, or warehouse retail buying across grocery and general merchandise.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, commerce, or a related field.
• Strong negotiation skills and proven supplier relationship management experience.
• Proficiency with procurement and inventory management systems; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Strong analytical and commercial decision-making abilities.
• Highly organized and skilled at managing multiple categories in a high-volume environment.
• Experience in entrepreneurial or start-up retail settings is strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications in purchasing or category management are an asset.

Corporate Culture

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance-based incentives
• Opportunities for career advancement as the retail concept grows
• Supportive, collaborative workplace with significant autonomy and impact

Position Type

Permanent