Vice President – Category Management, Sourcing & Product Development

Lock Search Group; Ontario; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in essential supplies distribution is seeking a Vice President to lead Category Management, Sourcing, and Product Development departments. This role involves strategic leadership, team management, and driving innovation in product offerings. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in distribution, strong communication skills, and a customer-centric mindset.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in category management and sourcing.
• Strong background in distribution or wholesale environments.
• Exceptional communicator and collaborative leader.

Responsibilities

• Drive category growth by executing innovative strategies.
• Lead a dynamic team of Category Managers.
• Oversee the new product development process.

Skills

Leadership

Category Management

Product Development

Strategic Planning

Vendor Negotiations

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Job description

On behalf of our client, Lock Search Group is leading an executive search mandate to identify and acquire an ambitious and experiencedVice Presidentcapable of leading the continued development of theirCategory Management, Sourcing, and Product Developmentdepartments. COMPANY PROFILE Our client is a national market leader in the distribution of essential operating supplies, serving a wide range of industries including foodservice/hospitality, manufacturing/industrial, retail/grocery, healthcare/long term care, and janitorial/sanitation. With a strong Canadian footprint and the backing of a global organization, the company combines local agility with international scale to deliver exceptional value to its customers. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the organization delivers essential products and services that help customers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet evolving market demands. Committed to long-term growth and responsible business practices, our client operates with integrity and a customer-first mindset across North America and beyond. This is a fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial environment where innovation, strategic sourcing, and product development are critical to accelerating the company’s profitable growth. The company is investing heavily in its category management function, seeking a senior leader capable of advancing the valuable contribution this function delivers to the organization. POSITION OVERVIEW As a key member of the Canadian Leadership Team, you will own the end-to-end strategy for four major product categories, with an emphasis on Private Label and cutting-edge Sustainability Brands. You will build, lead, and inspire a high-performing team, working closely with five business segments to develop category plans that propel revenue and profitability to new heights. Focused on the company’s target market, your team will curate a relevant and high-demand product assortment, strategically engage and manage your vendor base and influence go-to-market tactics and strategies that deliver accelerated profitable growth. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive category growth by designing and executing innovative strategies that deliver consistent sales and margin increases.
• Lead and grow a dynamic team of Category Managers, empowering them with the expertise and tools to excel.
• Champion the creation of distinctive product specs, features, and cost models that differentiate our client’s Own Brands and Sustainability offerings.
• Oversee the new product development process, collaborating seamlessly with Sales, Marketing, and Segment VPs to bring winning products to market.
• Craft and implement smart sourcing strategies that maximize both top-line sales and bottom-line profitability.
• Harness data and insights to sharpen competitive advantage and optimize category performance.
• Build robust vendor scorecards and strengthen supplier partnerships to drive excellence.
• Foster a culture rooted in talent development, accountability, and employee engagement aligned with core company values.
• Partner with US colleagues to unlock cross-border opportunities that create mutual wins.
• Engage with sustainability leadership and regulatory partners to keep product categories ahead of the curve on compliance and innovation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field.
• Proven leadership in category management, sourcing, and product development.
• Solid background in distribution or wholesale environments.B2B experience preferred.
• Strong track record of driving sales and margin growth through strategic planning.
• Exceptional communicator and collaborative leader across all levels.
• Customer-centric mindset with a deep understanding of market dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams.
• Skilled in supplier relationship management and vendor negotiations.
• Analytical thinker with strong business acumen and data-driven decision-making.
• Change agent with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

If you're energized by complex challenges and motivated to lead transformative change, this is your opportunity to shape the future of category strategy, sourcing, and product innovation at a national scale. Please send your resume to Lead Executive Search Consultant, Charles Warrenby selecting the “Apply” option and following the required steps. Thank you in advance for your interest, only individuals deemed to have the skill set and experience to fit the role will be contacted. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada without sponsorship. Lock Search Group is a National Executive Recruitment firm with 11 offices in Canada and one in the United States, a staff of more than 30 Consultants and Associates, and expertise in 11 major disciplines. Our mission is to provide exceptional Recruitment and Consulting Services to clients and candidates. We apply our experience and expertise to deliver solutions with a personalized approach that focuses on clients’ needs and candidates’ goals.