Category Manager

Job Title
Category Manager
Job Description
About SNDL

SNDL is the largest private sector liquor and cannabis retailer in Canada with retail banners that include Ace Liquor, Wine and Beyond, Liquor Depot, Value Buds, and Spiritleaf. As a licensed cannabis producer, SNDL also has indoor state-of-the-art grow-op facilities to supply wholesale and retail customers under a cannabis brand portfolio that includes Top Leaf, Sundial, Palmetto, Spiritleaf Selects, and Grasslands. SNDL's investment portfolio seeks to deploy strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and partnerships throughout the global cannabis industry.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Category Manager to join our dynamic team at SNDL in the retail division. As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to drive sales, maximize profitability, and enhance the overall customer experience within specific product categories. You will collaborate with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure the success of our retail operations. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of a rapidly evolving industry.

Role and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- The Category Manager designs, develops, and executes category and assortment strategies as determined by established sales, profits, qualitative, and quantitative criteria
- Sets category price strategy and develops pricing tactics to achieve financial and customer objectives, including initial regular pricing
- Conducts ongoing analysis of category performance, trends, and competitive assortment and pricing
- Conducts item level assortment analysis and determines assortment including coverage of needs analysis for priority sub-categories, vendor & SKU optimization
- Accountable for new item and promotional forecasts, identify item deletes, manage and communicate markdowns/markups price adjustments and develop exit strategies
- Develops and/or recommends product flow plans to maximize availability at the lowest possible inventory levels
- Visits corporate and competitor’s stores to build category strategy and price ladders. Proactively communicates those strategies to leadership and their respective cross functional teams to allow for appropriate planning and execution for all teams
- Initiate, negotiate and manage accessory vendor agreements, costs, vendor allowances/terms, quality, and delivery terms to drive supplier performance. Develop and maintain vendor relationships both locally and nationally
- Partners with Category Management team to create compelling assortments that reflect emerging market trends, seasonal themes, highly rated product, and latest brands/labels
- Works across the organization to support a best in class Omni-channel shopping experience for the customer

Experience and Qualifications
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data to drive category performance and make informed decisions.
- Broad retail experience including working knowledge of cross functional areas/processes and their inter-relationships
- Proven track record in building customer partnerships and delivering quantifiable business growth results, including demonstrated P & L management skills
- Strong organizational and project management abilities, with the capacity to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in using analytical tools such as Excel, PowerBI, or other data visualization software.
- Sound knowledge of retail operations and related operating practices
- Knowledge of the Canadian retail cannabis market, including product trends, regulations, and competitive landscape considered an asset.
- Working knowledge of regulations as it pertains to the selling of Cannabis in Alberta
- Current SellSafe Certification
- AGLC (Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission) approval to become a QCW (Qualified Cannabis Worker) and able to work at a Cannabis Store
- Degree/Diploma/Certificate in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

Personal Characteristics and Requirements
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and effective working relationships with other business units quickly
- Proactive self starter adept in recognizing and identifying need and opportunities for improvement
- Ability to take ownership of the category while collaboratively working with leaders in the organization and industry to move initiatives forward and champion growth
- Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to influence others and follow-up on team accountabilities to ensure deadlines and goals are met
- Team player and with a positive attitude and ability to manage in ambiguity
- Ability to be flexible, in keeping with the needs of our growing company and industry
- Passion for the cannabis industry and staying up-to-date with industry developments.
- Ability to leverage da