Associate Category Manager

SUMMARY: Position Title: Associate Category Manager Department: Supply Chain Role Type: Fixed term contract ( Six months) Reports To: Director, Procurement Location: Mississauga, ON Work Arrangement: On -site Compensation : $65,000 to $75,000 About Salary Range: We strive to ensure fairness and transparency in our compensation practices. The range provided is intended as a reference point and not a guaranteed offer. When determining an offer, we consider the scope of responsibilities, regional market benchmarks, and internal equity to maintain consistency across the organization. Your final offer will be based on your experience, skills, and alignment with the role. Vacancy Status: This posting reflects an active opening, and we are currently seeking qualified candidates. Targeted Start Date: ASAP (Q1 2026) WHO WE ARE: The Crump Group Inc. is a family-owned natural pet treat manufacturer, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with an expansion into Nashville, North Carolina. We are proudly Canadian and are celebrating our twentieth year Since 2006, we have launched three incredible brands: Caledon Farms, Crumps Naturals and Dog Delights. Although we've outgrown our family garage (and continue to grow), our values remain the same and guide decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our people, our customers, our communities and our environment. OUR CORE VALUES: 1. We embody an entrepreneurial mindset. 2. We act with compassion. 3. We act with integrity. 4. We put quality first. 5. We work as a cohesive team. 6. We embrace agility and adaptability. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: The Associate Category Manager (ACM) ( Six Months contract ) supports the end-to-end management of assigned product categories, focusing on supplier coordination, procurement activities, inbound logistics, cost management, and operational excellence. The ACM will serve as a key link between suppliers, internal teams, and warehouse operations to ensure timely and cost-effective supply chain execution. Responsibilities 1. Inbound Receiving Management Schedule and manage all inbound purchase orders through Go Ramp to ensure coordinated and efficient dock scheduling. Collaborate with Purchasing and Packaging teams to plan and prioritize inbound shipments. Support CRUMP Fleet Management activities by organizing and arranging pick-ups and deliveries for Crump trucks. Partner with warehouse teams to ensure inventory availability and warehouse readiness for incoming goods. 2. Supplier Relationship Management Maintain close relationships with assigned suppliers to monitor and manage stocking positions. Coordinate supplier delivery schedules, confirmations, and escalations as needed. Manage supplier communication to ensure timely deliveries and proactive issue resolution. 3. Operational and Inventory Support Actively support warehouse and inventory teams by helping plan inbound schedules based on available space and operational priorities. Ensure all documentation related to inbound shipments is updated and accurate in the system. Management and Maintenance of Obsolete Item List, reason for disposal, period, qty, cost, supplier, approval and date of disposal. 4. Cost Management and Tracking Track and report Purchase Price Variance (PPV) to analyze savings opportunities. Drive cost avoidance initiatives by negotiating to prevent price increases and identifying alternative suppliers where necessary. Assist in rolling out Purchase Orders through future periods (e.g., up to November) to support long-term planning. 5. Data Management and Reporting Maintain a live SKU tracking document categorized by supplier and product family. Update supplier confirmations and MRP (Material Requirements Planning) runs daily on separate tabs for better tracking and reporting. Use live data to prepare reports for Management, Production meetings, and category strategy discussions. 6. Strategic and Category Support Participate actively in weekly 1:1 meeting to review category health, supplier engagement, and strategic initiatives. Provide visibility into new vendor onboarding, performance outcomes, and improvement opportunities. Recipe for Success Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, or related field. 3-5 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or category management roles. Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, basic reporting dashboards). Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities. Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Power BI, Smart Sheet, SAGE, SAP) and scheduling platforms like GoRamp is a plus. Performance Metrics: Supplier On-time Delivery Performance Cost Savings and Cost Avoidance Achievements Category Data Accuracy and Reporting Timeliness Inventory Availability and Stocking Health Supplier Engagement and Issue Resolution Effectiveness The Crump Group celebrates diverse perspectives and is committed to equity, inclusion in employment and diversity. You will be part of building a more diverse workforce to enrich our culture. The Crump Group will provide an inclusive and barrier free recruitment process to applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform The Crump Group of your requirements. This job description may be amended at any time. We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with The Crump Group; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check and must meet pre-employment criteria, satisfactory to the company, to be hired.