Category Manager

Company Description

At Farm Boy, it is our mission to create a fun, fresh experience for all Whether you are a team member or a customer, Farm Boy is passionate about creating a unique fresh food shopping experience and ensuring that we deliver on our commitments.

As we continue to grow within Ontario, Farm Boy is excited to welcome new team members that share our passion for providing the best fresh shopping experience

**Job Description**:
The Category Manager is responsible for the strategic growth of the department, through research, negotiating, retail price management, promotional planning and purchasing of products for resale or use at retail. The mandate of the Category Management team is to deliver a high-quality product, at the best possible value for the customer and achieve established sales targets. The performance of the duties must ensure a quality service approach to all employees, customers and suppliers. All responsibilities must be performed in a manner consistent with the Farm Boy Way.

**Major Responsibilities**:

- Analyze sales history, advertising success, product movement and overall category management and set objectives to meet overall sales and profit targets.
- Monitor and analyze all competitive and industry activities and trends regarding merchandising, marketing, assortment, pricing and promotions to develop alternative strategies to maintain and improve Farm Boy’s competitive position.
- Keep up-to-date on current food trends, by attending trade shows, analyzing competition, trade publications etc., and make recommendations for new product listings.
- Develop and source new items that represent Farm Boy’s quality, uniqueness and passion for food and coordinate new product introductions and listing presentations.
- Negotiate trade agreements with suppliers and set retail pricing to deliver budgeted results.
- Create and maintain departmental planograms and support retail in their execution.
- Assist the Replenishment team with Order/Inventory control programs to manage inventory and maximize quality of products related to the department.
- Coordinate and purchase appropriate labeling and packaging according to government standards (i.e., Food & Drug Act, Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act).
- Ensure compliance with Farm Boy corporate policies and procedures in all aspects of the procurement process, including documenting, communicating and filing procurement activities according to established standards.
- Working with Category Management, support and help develop tools to monitor the category.
- Provide leadership and training on the category to the Assistant Category Managers.
- May be requested to undertake other related duties on a periodic basis.

**Qualifications**:

- Typically requires completion of a post-secondary program with an emphasis in Merchandising, Marketing or Business Management, plus 3 to 5 years’ experience in a progressively responsible role working with fresh perishables or grocery items or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- A passion for food retailing and people with superior standards of quality.
- Solid retail experience and knowledge of retail industry and food products.
- Excellent negotiation skills with sound knowledge of business principles.
- Good judgment and decision-making skills with ability to work with minimum supervision.
- Strong interpersonal skills along with clear and effective communication style, both written and oral.
- Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
- Skilled at working in a fast-paced environment while maintaining priorities and a high level of performance.
- Experienced in working with various computer software programs; e.g. Microsoft Office.
- Fluency in English and French shall be considered an asset.

**Work & Sensory Environment**:

- Providing service to several people or departments, working under many simultaneous deadlines
- Required to travel between Farm Boy stores, Home Office and/or Central Operations
- Exposure to eye strain from computer terminals

Additional Information

**Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities.