Associate Category Manager

Associate Category Manager – Packaging and Raw Materials Compensation Base pay range: CA$65,000.00 – CA$75,000.00 per year. Employment Type: Fixed‑term contract (six months) – on‑site. Company Overview The Crump Group Inc. is a family‑owned natural pet treat manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with an expansion into Nashville, North Carolina. Celebrating 20 years, the company has launched three brands: Caledon Farms, Crumps Naturals, and Dog Delights. Core Values Entrepreneurial mindset Compassion Integrity Quality first Cohesive team Agility and adaptability Role Summary The Associate Category Manager (ACM) supports end‑to‑end management of assigned product categories, focusing on supplier coordination, procurement activities, inbound logistics, cost management, and operational excellence. The ACM is a key link between suppliers, internal teams, and warehouse operations, ensuring timely and cost‑effective supply chain execution. Responsibilities 1. Inbound Receiving Management Schedule and manage all inbound purchase orders through Go Ramp to ensure coordinated dock scheduling. Collaborate with Purchasing and Packaging teams to plan and prioritize inbound shipments. Support fleet management activities by organizing pick‑ups and deliveries for company trucks. Partner with warehouse teams to ensure inventory availability and warehouse readiness for incoming goods. Maintain close relationships with assigned suppliers to monitor and manage stocking positions. Coordinate supplier delivery schedules, confirmations, and escalations as needed. Manage supplier communication to ensure timely deliveries and proactive issue resolution. 2. Operational and Inventory Support Actively support warehouse and inventory teams by helping plan inbound schedules based on available space and operational priorities. Ensure all documentation related to inbound shipments is updated and accurate in the system. Manage and maintain an obsolete item list, including disposal reason, period, quantity, cost, supplier, approval, and disposal date. 3. Cost Management and Tracking Track and report purchase price variance (PPV) to analyze savings opportunities. Drive cost avoidance initiatives by negotiating to prevent price increases and identifying alternative suppliers where necessary. Assist in rolling out purchase orders through future periods (e.g., up to November) to support long‑term planning. 4. Data Management and Reporting Maintain a live SKU tracking document categorized by supplier and product family. Update supplier confirmations and MRP runs daily on separate tabs for better tracking and reporting. Use live data to prepare reports for management, production meetings, and category strategy discussions. 5. Strategic and Category Support Participate actively in weekly 1:1 meetings to review category health, supplier engagement, and strategic initiatives. Provide visibility into new vendor onboarding, performance outcomes, and improvement opportunities. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or related field. 3‑5 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or category management roles. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Detail‑oriented with strong problem‑solving abilities. Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Power BI, Smart Sheet, SAGE, SAP) and scheduling platforms like GoRamp is a plus. Performance Metrics Supplier on‑time delivery performance Cost savings and cost avoidance achievements Category data accuracy and reporting timeliness Inventory availability and stocking health Supplier engagement and issue resolution effectiveness Equal Employment Opportunity The Crump Group celebrates diverse perspectives and is committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity in employment. The company will provide an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment process to applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require a disability‑related accommodation, please inform The Crump Group of your requirements. This job description may be amended at any time. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check and must meet pre‑employment criteria satisfactory to the company in order to be hired. #J-18808-Ljbffr