Category Manager

The Category Manager (Grocery Non-Food and Confections) is accountable for leading a category team that strategizes to deliver market share targets and build consumer loyalty.

Achieve sales, inventory turns and gross profit targets in assigned merchandise departments. To source, price and market product to profitably grow the assigned department to the gross profit line.

Build vendor alliances and programs that build long term health of assigned merchandise departments.

Joining The North West Company International (NWCI) gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWCI is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions : Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean.

Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs.

Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Key Accountabilities :

Responsible for supervising the department(s) Associate Category Manager and Replenishment Buyer

• Monitor performance of assigned tasks of reporting employees
• Train and develop reporting employees to meet department goals
• Train and develop reporting employees for department succession

To continually evaluate all available vendors and select the appropriate vendors based on the following criteria : cost, terms, service level, time in transit (cost of interest and necessary inventory level) and quality

• Establish the appropriate retail prices to attain the budgeted gross profit
• Ensure that product selection is appropriate to marketplace.
• Monitor inventory levels in the stores and depots to the budgeted goals
• Build allocations by store
• Negotiate vendor terms such as freight, order minimums, service level and costs
• On a yearly basis, negotiate vendor funding to support marketing and in store merchandising efforts
• Continually seek new merchandise through publications, trade shows, and vendor meetings
• Meet sales and budgeted margin goals

Ensure that all necessary tasks are done each month to make sure that margin budgets are met for each period

• Manage pricing and markdowns at store level
• Continually communicate with store personnel regarding competitive pricing on category items
• Assist the Operations department and store personnel to continually improve and refine the product mix being offered in each store to attain the maximum sales per square foot

Develop strategic marketing plans including : advertising, in store specials, promotional and special buys

• Meet with marketing each week to discuss all promotional activity
• Monitor and report weekly on promotional costs and benefits
• Maintain a yearly merchandise marketing calendar for assigned categories
• Manage promotional markdowns within budget

Perform category assessments on all categories and implement changes necessary as outlined in plan. Category plans must be done once a year with a chosen vendor partner, assigning roles, strategies and goals that meet format strategies.

This includes all major financial performance goals of : profitable sales, costing, pricing, and assortment

• Meet category assessment timelines as assigned by VP of Procurement & Marketing
• Monitor and report on category performance post assessments. Refine as needed on an ongoing basis
• Provide schematics for store layouts
• Gather and analyze consumer data, market and industry information to ensure proper formulation of strategies and tactics that enables effective prediction and reaction to the industry trends in order to drive innovation in the assigned categories

Assist in setting the initial sales, gross margin, and inventory forecasts used in developing the final operating budget.

Put plans in place to meet monthly budgets as outlined through retail management, vendor rebates, and markdown management

Monthly, report on P&L results and take corrective action as needed

Learn all aspects of system and reporting tools that are required to perform job duties

Ensure employees receive necessary training on system and reporting tools to properly perform their job duties

Desired Skills & Experience :

• Bachelors degree in business or equivalent from a 4 year college or Three year related experience or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Extensive MS Office Suite experience including above average knowledge of Excel
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Strong math skills
• Aptitude with successful negotiations
• Strong communication skills both oral and written
• 5 years retail experience in a supervisory role, retail management and / or previous purchasing experience preferred
• Experience with Profit and Loss statement review, budgeting and operating statement review experience preferred
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to problem solve complex issues; know when to escalate
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Strong time management
• High aptitude and resolve to achieve goals
• Ability to negotiate with vendors to meet Category targets and objectives
• Ability to set own priorities based on workload
• Ability to work well with a team
• Able to thrive in a high-stress and fast-paced environment
• Financial analysis capabilities
• Must be able to work independently with limited direction

Working Conditions :

• Fast paced office environment
• Primarily computer work; able to sit or stand in one place for long periods of time
• Multiple phone calls and meetings on a daily / weekly basis
• Open area office environment
• Ability to travel 30% of the time.

Location : Boca Raton, FL

Reports to : Vice President of Procurement and Marketing, Cost U Less

NOTE : If an existing employee is selected for a posted position they will be required to remain in that position a minimum of one year prior to applying for other posted positions unless authorized by their current supervisor.

New employees to the company must also remain in their position a minimum of one year prior to applying for posted positions unless authorized by their supervisor.

This position adheres to the Corporate Job Posting Guidelines.

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

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.