Category Manager

Longo’s is committed to maintaining an environment where team members have a place to grow and pursue excellence, have the latitude to take ownership of their careers and the support and encouragement necessary to be the best they can throughout their career. We are a Canadian, family owned, independent food retailer which has grown and prospered since 1956. Our team members are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by offering the best food experience to every customer, every time. It is through such commitment that Longo’s now operates over 36 stores within the GTA along with Grocery Gateway; our online grocery delivery service, is celebrating over 60 years of business

and is continuing to grow.

Would you treat the grocery category like it was your own business?

Are you known for building strong relationships with vendors?

Why not join us?

**Position: Category Manager**

In the role of Category Manager you will be responsible for managing a set of categories including sales, profitability, negotiations, product selection and having best-in-class relationships with our vendor and store partners.

**What you’ll do;**
- Develop strategic plans for categories, including category positioning, pricing and provide recommendations for advertising and in-store promotions, plan-o-grams, pricing, and service and inventory levels
- Complete regular reviews in selected categories using various inputs, including consumer insights
- Oversee the implementation of grocery initiatives including merchandising strategies, promotions, events, advertising, flyers
- Review and action retail strategies to remain competitive
- Build relationships with vendors and negotiate an optimal merchandising mix
- Coordinate and ensures timely POG development and execution with Support Centre, Store Operations and Suppliers including set up for new stores
- Develop strong relationships with our store team members to move the company’s strategic initiatives forward
- Assist in developing annual budgets
- Work in conjunction with store operations regarding merchandising to conduct order forecasting/analysis

**What we are looking for;**
- Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in Business or related program
- Minimum 3 years purchasing and inventory management experience specifically in consumer packaged goods and grocery
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in retail merchandising, preferably in grocery retail
- Ability to develop and implement tactical plans
- Excellent understanding of vendor and customer relationship management
- Excellent financial skills with a sound knowledge of pricing strategy
- Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office Products)
- Strong customer service orientation
- Good working knowledge of Nielsen analytical tools
- Excellent negotiation skills
- System thinking and continual process improvement skills
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
- Strong oral and written business communication skills

**Work Environment;**
- Fast paced project environment working under tight deadlines
- Work is performed in an office environment with regular involvement in and participation in meetings
- Primary location is Longo’s Support Centre but travel to store locations will be required at times

Longo’s is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and, upon request, will work with qualified job applicants to provide suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.

Note: A qualified job applicant with a disability is one who possesses the required skills, education, experience and training and who can, with reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the position applied for.

If you require accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Coordinator at: