Associate Category Manager

Job Responsibility: Location: Markham, Ontario : What is the role? The Associate Category Manager assists with the managing of private brands and national brands of specified pet supplies categories across all Pet Retail Brands banners with limited accountability for increased sales, profits and inventory turns. The incumbent must understand consumer and store needs, product positioning while working closely with peers in Marketing, Supply Chain and Operations. What will you do? Essential Details and Responsibilities:

• Contributor in the development of merchandise strategy around division & company directives
• Communicate strategies to internal and external partners
• Participates and assists in the planning, execution and delivery of annual category reviews
• Supports efforts with product assortment, sales, margins and buying plans are aligned to budgets
• Ensure pricing strategies support financial objectives
• Assists with negotiating product costs and promotional programs
• Develop strong vendor relationships with key suppliers
• Manage product life cycle, assisting with exit strategy and aged inventory
• Provides support with store and warehouse inventory levels with Supply Chain
• Ensure planograms are maintained and updated
• Keep abreast of market trends and implement into category strategy
• Grow market share

Planning & Financial Budget:

• Responsible for following and adhering to the annual category merchandising plan and financial budget
• Adhering to guidelines for department and category POS sales, wholesale sales, gross margin and inventory

Category Reviews & New Products:

• Complete category reviews for branded or private brand pet supplies
• Will assist with new item evaluation & selection and delisting decisions
• Assist with product launch planning to maximize initial sales and store penetration
• Ensure recommendations are in-line with Company and market specific objectives
• Will assist with managing seasonal timelines
• Complete annual marketing and promotional plans for each vendor.
• Participates in negotiation meetings for store promotions and flyer items with vendors

Pricing Strategy & Execution:

• Actively researches competitive retail pricing across all banners in line with category role
• Monitors wholesale pricing for categories
• Supports pricing strategies to ensure compliance with financial objectives

Vendor Negotiation:

• Participates in negotiations with hardline vendors regarding all day to day issues that arise, i.e. overstock; incorrect product shipments; late deliveries; incorrect pricing; promotions; corporate and franchise deals; new item listing allowances; damaged product; truck orders; import issues, etc.
• Assists in the review and renewal of existing vendor contracts

What will you need to succeed? Education and Experience

• 4-year bachelor's degree
• 3+ years Retail Associate/Assistant Category Manager/Buyer, ideally in the retail categories: mass retailers, pet, grocery, children's, housewares, hard goods etc.
• 3+ years of experience in systems/reporting, intermediate to high level of knowledge in excel, vlookup, pivot tables, queries.
• Thorough knowledge of retail purchasing dynamics (category management, seasonality, life cycle, margin requirements, negotiating, clearance programs, store sales improvements, item introductions, budgeting, promotional planning and planogramming)

Knowledge and Skills

• Results oriented with proven track record
• Hard-working, independent and accountable
• Co-operative and collaborative

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