Category Manager - Food

Status:
Regular Full-Time

In your role as Category Manager at The North West Company (TNWC), you will be accountable to define category strategy; own results; make sourcing and assortment decisions; and drive category sales and profit growth through data‑driven decision‑making and innovation.

The Category Manager uses financial data, customer research, market data and industry information to better meet the needs of our unique consumers and to optimize financial performance through regular monitoring and innovation. You will develop, formulate and execute tactics within the overall category strategy, including assortment planning, procurement, merchandising, retail pricing, advertising and promotion, and managing vendor relationships and supply agreements.

As a leader, you will manage and develop the Category Team to achieve Category Performance.

• Serve as subject‑matter expert for the category, building plans around product, promotion and placement to drive financial performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable terms, costs, product quality and goods for TNWC and its customers.
• Develop a connection with the remote communities we serve through in‑community work experience, creating customer‑centered business plans.
• Develop market data and consumer behavior insights, finding innovative ways to drive performance in your category.
• Create plans with measurable objectives that include advertising, in‑store specials and special buys.
• Set initial sales, gross‑profit and inventory forecasts used in developing the final operating budget, and develop plans to achieve annual budgets.
• Work with Merchandising Services to monitor and recommend pricing and stock levels that deliver on category performance.
• Provide advice to Operations on category opportunities.
• Lead and manage initiatives for the department’s Category Assistant.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in category management or a post‑secondary education (Bachelor’s or Master’s in Commerce, Marketing or Supply Chain Management). Additional experience in lieu of education may be considered.
• Experience leading and managing a small team.
• Solid experience with MS Office Suite, including above‑average knowledge of Excel.
• Demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and financial analysis capabilities.
• Ability to set priorities and manage priorities of the team.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to teach and monitor performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.

Gibraltar House – 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Senior Category Manager, Category Management.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization.

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.