Category Manager

The Dufresne Group is currently seeking a **Category Manager** for our Dufresne Merchandising Team within our **Home Office** located at **147 Commerce Drive** in **Winnipeg, MB**.**

As a Category Manager (Home Accents) you will be responsible for developing and implementing multi-channel category strategies that drive profitable growth. You will create and own strategic vendor relationships and collaborate with internal teams to develop and execute category sourcing and sales strategies, delivering margins and inventory return on investment across the category.

**The Dufresne Group is committed to investing in our team members; we offer**:

- Market competitive compensation;
- Comprehensive benefits plan and excellent employee discounts;
- Employer Sponsored Retirement Savings Plan;
- Career growth and continuous development;
- Respectful and family-oriented working environment with strong company values;
- The opportunity to work for one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.

As the Category Manager you will:

- Set strategic plans for the Home Accents category that are consistent with overall company strategic priorities.
- Plan store-level product assortment by brand to drive sales and gross profit while ensuring appropriate regionalization of offerings.
- Develop omni-channel strategic assortment plans and merchandising direction for categories that achieve key performance metrics.
- Maximize return on inventory investment in partnership with the Supply Chain team, cross-functional partners, and vendors (owning inventory process).
- Collaborate with the Marketing team on category promotional plans in stores and online.
- Develop product training support/tools to ensure that category planning and marketing programs are executed and are operating effectively across all channels.
- Be an expert in the responsible area’s overall market with exceptional knowledge of consumer trends, innovation, and competition.
- Deliver financial performance goals related to sales, shrink, gross margin rate, controllable activity costs and inventory flow/productivity.
- Review and complete weekly reporting and analysis of category performance, sales, profitability, vendor lead times and inventory levels.
- Source product to address multi-channel category plans, engaging vendors to continuously improve profit, sales, store execution, online execution, and innovation.
- Negotiate vendor agreements and conduct regular vendor reviews/scorecards to assess performance and identify opportunities.
- Set and monitor pricing to margin standards and maintain inventory safety stock levels.
- Support stores with product assortment needs and work with SOS stores to increase sales and SPG.
- Participate in or lead key departmental or company initiatives, i.e. RTA, Branding, Hierarchy.
- Attend industry-related trade shows.
- Post-secondary education in Business Administration, Marketing and/or recognized purchasing designation. A combination of education and experience will be considered.
- At least 5 years of work experience in Category Management or a related field.
- Proven track record of leading teams, managing cross-functional projects, and driving category strategies.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and leverage data to make informed decisions.
- Strong negotiation skills to secure favourable terms with vendors and partners.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas, present strategies, and interact with stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to align category strategy with the company's overall business objectives and contribute to overall organizational success.
- Ability to drive the success of the category by ensuring the right mix of products that cater to the guest's needs.
- Valid Canadian Driver’s License.
- Valid Passport, with the ability to travel within North America as required.
- A satisfactory Criminal Record Check will be required.