Category Manager

Location: Markham, Ontario

**Job Description**:
At Pet Valu we understand that your pet is a part of the family, because we’re devoted pet lovers too. We have been providing pets with everything they need to live healthy, happy and active lives for more than 40 years.

From distribution centers to stores to home office, we're supporting pets and their owners, and together we're making a difference

What is the role?

Manage the private brands and national brands of specified pet supplies categories across all Pet Valu banners with accountability for increased sales, profits and inventory turns. Understand consumer and store needs, product positioning and the demands of seasonal buying, while working closely with peers in Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations.
- Develop merchandise strategy around division & company directives
- Communicate strategies to internal and external partners
- Plan, execute and deliver annual category reviews
- Ensure product assortment, sales, margins and buying plans are aligned to budgets
- Provide direction on planning, pricing and assortment
- Ensure pricing strategies support financial objectives
- Negotiate product costs and promotional programs
- Develop strong vendor relationships with key suppliers
- Must have a thorough understanding of seasonal buying strategies
- Manage product life cycle, exit strategy and aged inventory
- Manage store and warehouse inventory levels with Supply Chain
- Ensure planograms are maintained and updated
- Keep abreast of market trends and implement into category strategy
- Grow market share

Key Job Duties:
Planning & Financial Budget
- Responsible for the development and management of the annual category merchandising plan and financial budget
- Accountable for department and category POS sales, wholesale sales, gross margin and inventory

Category Reviews & New Products
- Complete category reviews for branded or private brand pet supplies
- New item evaluation & selection and delisting decisions
- Product launch planning to maximize initial sales and store penetration
- Ensure recommendations are in-line with Company and market specific objectives
- Manage seasonal timelines

Complete annual marketing and promotional plans for each vendor.
- Negotiate store promotions and flyer items with vendors
- Negotiate and plan franchise deals and pre-books

Pricing Strategy & Execution
- Ensure competitive retail pricing across all banners in line with category role
- Manage wholesale pricing for categories
- Ensure pricing strategies support financial objectives

Vendor negotiation
- Negotiate with hardline vendors regarding all day to day issues that arise, i.e. overstock; incorrect product shipments; late deliveries; incorrect pricing; promotions; corporate and franchise deals; new item listing allowances; damaged product; truck orders; import issues, etc.
- Review and renew existing vendor contracts
- Lead & Mentor Category Analyst & Assistant Category Manager
- Supervise daily activity to meet project timelines and category financial goals
- Provide coaching, training and support to category team
- Conduct annual and ongoing performance reviews

**Experience**:

- Education_

University degree in quantitative/analytical business discipline
- Experience_
- 5+ years Retail CM and/or Purchasing experience, ideally in the consumables categories: mass retailers, pet, grocery, children’s, housewares
- Must have a thorough understanding of seasonal buying and details surrounding seasonal retail strategy

Involved in enhancement and execution of category management processes

Thorough knowledge of retail purchasing dynamics (category management, seasonality, life cycle, margin requirements, negotiating, clearance programs, store sales improvements, item introductions, budgeting, promotional planning and planogramming)

CORPHIRE