Vendor Advisor

Maple Leaf Foods; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company is seeking a Vendor Advisor to enhance retail category performance by analyzing data, developing strategies, and building strong relationships with retailer Category Managers. Candidates should have a business degree and relevant experience in category management. This role emphasizes analytical skills and effective communication within a dynamic team environment.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Health and wellness benefits

Defined contribution pension plan

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid volunteer days

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in Category management, including Vendor Advisorship.
• Advanced knowledge of Retail Link and Nielsen tools.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing category performance using customer-specific data.
• Recommending assortment and pricing strategies.
• Developing and maintaining category plan-o-grams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

Tools

Nielsen tools

JDA (Space Planning / ProSpace)

Job description

The Vendor Advisor is responsible for analyzing customer specific data and providing ongoing reviews and recommendations addressing category performance, assortment, pricing, promotion and shelving to optimize retailer performance. Maple Leaf is awarded this role by the retailer and categories are assigned as awarded. This role is viewed as an unbiased source of category and shopper insights by the retailer and therefore cannot report directly to the Customer Business Team, however they will be a member of the CBT as it relates to understanding category strategies and trends. The role reports directly to the Director, Customer Insights and is part of a team of Vendor Advisors working with Wal-Mart.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by June 09. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life :

• Periodic reviews of category performance leveraging Customer specific data sources to determine opportunities focused on improvements to shelving, assortment and display.
• Recommends optimal assortment strategies by region for all products in the category.
• Develops and maintains category plan-o-grams, executed in key timeframes as determined by the retailer.
• Completes ad hoc analysis related to retailer specific requests
• Provides recommendations for pricing and promotional strategies that will build category performance.
• Builds a strong relationship with retailer’s Category Managers and is seen as a trusted advisor for the category. Has deep knowledge of retailer strategies and role of the category.
• Liaises with the CBT and marketing as appropriate to understand Maple Leaf’s strategies and opportunities.
• Delivers category insights that explain current performance and highlight opportunities to improve performance vs. the marketplace.
• Provide ongoing category business health overviews.
• Complete ad hoc requests.

What You’ll Bring :

• Bachelor’s degree in business with a passion for analysis.
• 1-3 years of experience in Category management, with at least 1 year of Vendor Advisorship
• Advanced knowledge of retailer data sources (Retail Link), and advanced knowledge of Nielsen or Numerator tools (answers desktop, panel data) is imperative.
• Advanced knowledge of JDA (Space Planning / ProSpace).
• Ability to synthesize a variety of data sources (consumer, shopper, loyalty) into presentations that are easily understood.
• Must be able to provide strong, executable recommendations that reflect the retailer and category strategy.
• Strong project and time management skills are required.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to build relationships.
• Must be proactive and performance driven, have a bias for action and be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods :

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• A hybrid work model that embraces remote work for eligible roles, helping team members achieve work-life balance—combining the best of both spending time working remotely, benefitting from focus time, and purposeful collaboration in the office setting.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us :

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf, Schneiders, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co. We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders : our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [e-mail] .

Disclaimer : Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

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