Category Manager

Longo's is committed to maintaining an environment where team members have a place to grow and pursue excellence. 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 38 stores and is celebrating over 67 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 (Produce)

***Job Overview**:
Responsible for category strategy development and execution, product selection, vendor negotiations, pricing strategy, advertising, in-store features and event planning. Responsible for achieving the budgeted sales and margins for the category. Analyzes data such as demographics and consumer research information. Analyzes categories and makes decisions based on consumers’ needs, with an eye on becoming “Food Experts”.

**Accountabilities**:

- Develop tactical plans and programs including category positioning, product assortment, mix and pricing.
- Manage vendor relationships:

- Negotiation with vendors
- Review, analyze and monitor vendor/contract performance
- Troubleshoot and resolve matters with vendors regarding return of products, over-shipments, changes, etc.
- Source new vendors
- Provide input for advertising and in-store promotions, space management, pricing strategy, service and inventory levels.
- Transfer business knowledge to store department managers and team members
- Assist in developing annual budgets.
- Manage income from Marketing Boards.
- Communicate with Marketing, Merchandising and Operations groups.
- Communicate with I.T.
- Perform special projects.

**Knowledge, Skills & Competencies**:

- Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in Business or related program.
- Minimum 3 years purchasing and inventory management experience, 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)
- 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.

**Working Conditions**:

- Work is performed in a dynamic office environment with participation in both in-person and virtual meetings.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities with regular deadlines.
- Travel to the Ontario Food Terminal, retail stores and DC locations will be required.
- Occasional travel to trade shows and suppliers, domestically and internationally.

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: