Category Management Leader

Location:

Southern Ontario - Hybrid

Vacancy:
This posting is for a currently open position.

Compensation: $120,000 to $140,000 + annual performance incentive

Our client is a national leader in the distribution of essential operating supplies, serving industries such as food service and hospitality, manufacturing, retail and grocery, healthcare, and janitorial and sanitation. With a strong Canadian presence and the support of a global organization, the company combines local responsiveness with international scale. Focused on innovation and sustainability, the organization provides critical products and solutions that help customers improve efficiency, control costs, and adapt to evolving market needs.

Operating with a customer‑first mindset and strong ethical standards, it is committed to long‑term, responsible growth across North America and beyond. As part of its continued growth and investment in category management, the company is seeking a Category Management Leader to strengthen and elevate the strategic impact of this function within the business.

We are seeking a senior Category Management Leader with a proven track record of delivering profitable growth across complex product portfolios, specifically within the safety products category. The core target market comprises B2B customers in food processing, manufacturing, construction, and retail. This role is responsible for end‑to‑end category performance, combining data‑centric strategic planning with tactical execution. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in sourcing, product development, and supplier management, with the ability to translate data and market insights into actionable, profitable growth opportunities.

They have demonstrated the ability to collaborate and influence cross‑functional business partners without authority to drive results. With one analyst as a direct report, partnerships with sales, marketing, finance, product management, procurement, senior leadership personnel are key to driving on‑target performance of the safety category. Core product categories include PPE, facility and workplace safety, confined space, fall protection, respiratory protection, and material handling safety products.

The role also manages key supplier relationships and commercial negotiations to support sustained profitability and long‑term competitive advantage.

• Own category performance, driving growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.
• Develop and execute category strategies and balanced assortment plans (private label, branded, innovation, sustainability).
• Identify market trends in industrial safety and turn insights into growth opportunities.
• Align category direction with senior leadership and business priorities.
• Lead product lifecycle from development through commercialization.
• Build and execute sourcing strategies that improve supplier performance and financial outcomes.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiations, and commercial agreements.
• Use data and market insights to guide sourcing and category decisions.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing category team.
• Strengthen collaboration across internal teams and external partners.
• Ensure alignment between stakeholders, suppliers, and category strategy execution.

• Senior‑level experience in category management, ideally within distribution, wholesale, or industrial environments.
• Strong background in sourcing, procurement, vendor management, product development, and contract negotiation.
• Solid understanding of market dynamics with the ability to build and execute strategic, customer‑focused decisions.
• Proven track record of driving performance, competitiveness, and meaningful organizational change.
• Strong leadership approach that promotes accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Highly analytical with strong relationship‑building and influencing skills.
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced environments with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada without sponsorship.