Category Manager

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We're on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you'll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that's what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let's tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at 

Position Summary:

The Category Manager is accountable for Category Management expertise and analysis to drive our category management strategies and to work in partnership with the Canadian Sales Team to mutually grow the categories with our retailer customers.

This leader is also accountable to work with Riverside Natural Foods' key stakeholders to provide insights on category rankings, competitive products, formats, and pricing for the Canadian market to drive the business growth. This leader will be responsible, with the Director, to develop strategies to improve business results and deliver future opportunities through category insights.

The Category Manager will have the opportunity to lead Canadian retailer shelf strategy by leveraging skills in Nielsen analysis, Category Management process, and planogram development for best in class in store conditions as well to drive conversion.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside Natural's core values
• Conduct Customer Category Reviews
• Ongoing analysis of category trends and tactics, lead the development of retailer specific category reviews and assortment analysis
• Canada consumption support for selling and assortment recommendations (innovation / distribution voids)
• Participate in Tier 1 and select Tier 2 Category Reviews (conventional)
• Create Category Selling Stories for inclusion in Customer Selling Decks / Annual Sales Plan
• Develop In-Store Shelving Strategy (Planogram recommendations and strategies)
• Create & Conduct Category Overviews / Tools for Training purposes internally and with new retailer category managers
• Input into SKU Priorities in partnership with Marketing
• Provide insights related to Canadian market as part of the Innovation Commercialization process and the 4P's approval gate
• Leverage Customer POS Data for insights on customer and category performance and conduct deeper analysis from POS Tools as needed
• Share out macro / retailer trends with Canada Sales team and internal Riverside stakeholders leveraging industry tools such as Numerator, Nielsen, Kantar, Euromonitor, Kantar, etc.
• Own the relationship with our syndicated data partners in Canada and manage overall budget and recommendations for future category data expansion
• Fulfill Adhoc requests as needed
  
  

Reporting Relationship

The Category Manager reports to the Director, Sales Planning & Strategy

Education & Qualifications

• 5-8 years of industry experience in category management
• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Shelf Management & Nielsen experience
• Advanced Excel Skills
• Tableau experience an asset
• Strong PowerPoint and presentation/ Storytelling skills

Skills and Abilities (Competencies)

• Strong Category Management skills
• Advanced Data Analytical Skills and ability to interpret data and draw conclusions to leverage insights
• Strong team player, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve common goals
• Results Driven
• Excellent presentation skills
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative, flexibility, and tenacity

What we expect:

• Values-led: You'll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life's too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don't enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We're still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we'll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we're okay with that, as long as we're staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We're a flat organization with few silos which means you'll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don't be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn't – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We'll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can't always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we're all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don't cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren't obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We're a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don't brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn't one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait There's more

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.