Senior Category Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Category Manager based in Canada.

This is a highly visible category leadership role focused on driving commercial performance across a growing retail <network.You>’ll own strategies spanning assortment, pricing, promotions, distribution, and inventory management.The role combines deep analytics with practical retail execution and localized market <decision-making.You>’ll manage relationships with 50+ suppliers and lead negotiations, business planning, and performance reviews.Success requires turning complex data into clear actions that improve sales, margins, inventory health, and customer <value.You>’ll collaborate closely with merchandising, planning, supply chain, marketing, finance, and store operations teams.The position offers an opportunity to influence category strategy in a fast-paced and evolving consumer retail environment.

Accountabilities

Category strategy & merchandising: Develop and execute portfolio strategies across assortment, distribution, pricing, promotions, and inventory, translating broader playbooks into localized programs that reflect regional markets and consumer preferences.

Assortment & pricing: Build compelling product assortments while balancing national priorities with regional opportunities; optimize shelf pricing using margin targets, competitive benchmarks, consumer price sensitivity, and promotional elasticity.

Inventory management: Monitor sell-through, weeks of supply, and aging inventory, implementing assortment changes, markdowns, or promotional actions to improve inventory health.

Retail execution: Coordinate product and vendor setup, maintain accurate master data, and oversee planograms and menu boards to ensure clear store execution and optimal product placement.

Supplier management: Serve as the primary relationship lead for 50+ suppliers, managing onboarding, business reviews, commercial negotiations, billing, collections, issue resolution, and ongoing partnership development.

Commercial growth: Build joint business plans with strategic suppliers, align on growth targets and investment priorities, source new suppliers, negotiate commercial agreements, and identify opportunities to close assortment gaps.

Supplier governance: Establish scalable engagement processes, governance frameworks, planning cycles, scorecards, and performance reviews to strengthen supplier performance and commercial outcomes.

Analytics & insights: Produce category performance reporting and conduct item- and category-level reviews to identify opportunities for pricing, promotions, distribution changes, SKU rationalization, and innovation.

Market intelligence: Monitor competitive activity, industry developments, macroeconomic trends, regulatory changes, and consumer trends to inform category and banner-level decisions.

Cross-functional leadership: Partner with merchandising operations, retail planning and analytics, supply chain, marketing, store operations, finance, and other stakeholders to ensure strong execution and alignment.

Stakeholder support: Act as a key point of contact for category-related questions and operational needs while communicating insights and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Experience: 7+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or a related commercial role, ideally within a fast-paced retail or consumer goods environment.

Industry knowledge: Retail experience is essential; experience in the cannabis sector is considered an asset.

Commercial expertise: Proven ability to manage external partnerships, negotiate commercial agreements, influence senior stakeholders, and develop mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

Analytical capabilities: Exceptional ability to interpret large and varied datasets and transform analysis into clear, actionable business recommendations.

Technical skills: Advanced Excel proficiency, including experience with large datasets, financial analysis, and performance reporting; experience with enterprise-grade business intelligence platforms is required, with Power BI experience considered an advantage.

Financial acumen: Strong understanding of retail KPIs, margin mechanics, promotional economics, inventory metrics, and commercial performance drivers.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present insights clearly and influence decisions across different levels of an organization.

Organization: Strong attention to detail and proven ability to manage multiple priorities, regions, stakeholders, and timelines simultaneously.

Leadership: Collaborative, proactive, and commercially minded, with the ability to work effectively across functions and drive outcomes through influence.

Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where priorities and market conditions can evolve quickly.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of approximately CAD $95,000–$109,000, with the listed rate of pay at CAD $102,000.
• Performance-based bonus opportunities and annual salary reviews.
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits, including a Healthcare Spending Account.
• Three weeks of paid vacation with annual rollover.
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements designed to support work-life balance.
• Recognition and rewards programs celebrating individual and team achievements.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program offering mental health, financial, and family support.
• Employee perks and discounts across fitness, wellness, lifestyle, retail, and everyday services.
• Opportunity to contribute to a rapidly evolving retail and consumer products environment.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workplace culture with equal opportunities for professional growth.