Category Manager

For 100 years, Nedco has been a cornerstone in the electrical industry. With branches across Canada, Nedco is pleased to offer one stop shopping for a wide range of quality products such as communications, wire and cable, distribution, lighting, data, home integration and security.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated **Category Manager** - **Bilingual** to join our National team. You will be responsible for developing and implementing category strategies to improve the customer experience (internal and external) by working with suppliers, branches / sales teams, procurement and business leaders in each Nedco division across Canada.

You love a challenge and can complete complex projects quickly and adeptly with your understanding of the business priorities. You act with appropriate urgency to various market events and trends that require a quick turnaround in plans and strategy.

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for creation and execution of the strategy for respective categories aligned with the national strategy. Include managing local/regional suppliers, actively monitoring KPI's (i.e annual sales and profitability objectives). Responsible for delivering on category objectives with primary (Tier 1) and secondary (Tier 2) suppliers, ensuring they understand business priorities and needs.
- Execute cost savings initiatives (negotiated savings). Responsible for assessing and managing category risks and opportunities for the division related to these negotiated initiatives.
- Identify and maintain continuous in-depth knowledge of identified commodities/products, new and future industry trends, and developing technologies where required for the respective categories (i.e. attend / participate in tradeshows and trade/industry associations events as required).
- Conduct regular branch visits to better understand challenges and deploy an action plan towards resolution to enable the branches to better manage their business
- Implement and maintain frequent communication between sales, marketing, procurement, operations groups.
- Review, analyze, complete and submit stock package proposals respective to the product portfolio.
- Develop, plan, review, recommend and coordinate promotional and awareness campaigns with manufacturers (including new products, code change, and forecasts).
- Provide category expertise to product specialists, sales representatives, branch personnel.
- Analyze sales and margins reports to identify variances year over year and trends within the category to identify areas of opportunity for improvement. Implement corrective plans where appropriate.
- Other category management responsibilities as required.

**Other Qualifications**:

- Deep knowledge of category, market trends and impacts to cost structures
- 5+ years of experience in a similar category role in electrical/distribution
- University/College degree required in, business or commerce
- Strong relationship building and business acumen are required. Need to be able to establish credibility and influence with business stakeholders
- Ability to deal effectively with ambiguity and resolve multi-party conflicts to get to the “right answer”
- Needs to understand the power dynamic within the spend category and create his/her own network for success (entrepreneurial spirit)
- Must be a motivated self-starter and quick study
- Experience leading high level negotiations for products and services
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills are required as well as excellent attention to accuracy and detail
- Must be able to create comprehensive project plans and execute with discipline
- Ability to travel as needed with overnight stay
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Word and Excel

Nedco is an equal opportunity employer. We offer
- Competitive compensation
- Benefits plan
- Excellent opportunities for growth and advancement