Protein Commodity Merchandising Manager

The Regional Protein Merchandising Manager executes divisional merchandising strategies to drive sales, margin, and brand growth within the protein category. In partnership with the Regional Merchandising Manager and North American Category teams, this role ensures a competitive, locally relevant assortment and serves as the primary liaison for regional protein vendors and brokers.

This position leads vendor partnerships, supports sales and marketing execution, and manages sourcing, pricing, and product life cycle activities to align with divisional and long-term company goals.

• Based in Calgary or Edmonton (minimum 4 days/week onsite at Distribution Centre)
• 10% travel to other distribution centres

• Flexible benefits program
• Company-matched RRSP
• Profit sharing
• Strong family culture with advancement opportunities

• Execute NA category strategies at the divisional level
• Implement go-to-market plans aligned to divisional needs
• Manage product life cycle (sourcing, launch, maintenance, discontinuation)
• Provide analytics, insights, and recommendations to achieve sales and margin targets
• Ensure slot allocation compliance and support inventory management
• Serve as primary contact for regional protein vendors and brokers
• Lead vendor reviews, performance analysis, and partnership planning
• Negotiate contracts with regional suppliers (in collaboration with procurement/category teams)
• Manage vendor relationships and activity within CRM
• Align vendor strategies with divisional growth objectives
• Execute sourcing plans to ensure competitive, market-relevant assortment
• Monitor commodity markets and pricing trends to inform buying decisions
• Make timely purchasing decisions on high-risk or time-sensitive opportunities
• Manage higher-risk inventory in collaboration with supply chain and leadership
• Lead opportunity buys and support sales with sourcing solutions
• Communicate new items, discontinuations, pricing updates, and supply issues
• Provide product expertise and vendor insights to divisional teams
• Represent divisional needs in NA category strategy discussions
• Support customer and sales inquiries related to product concerns
• Conduct ride-alongs and maintain strong field engagement

• Communicate supply disruptions and resolutions
• Provide divisional cost feedback to NA Category and Revenue Management teams
• Support aging inventory mitigation and liquidation strategies

• Maintain deep knowledge of protein markets (meat, seafood, poultry)
• Monitor market trends, supplier activity, and industry developments
• Leverage data and customer insights to guide decision-making

• High School diploma required;
  Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred
• 3+ years of protein category, merchandising, sourcing, or related experience
• Strong knowledge of protein markets, commodity pricing, supply chains, and quality standards
• Proven ability to make fast, informed buying decisions in dynamic markets
• Advanced analytical skills (Excel/Google tools; SAP an asset)
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work flexible hours when required