Category Director

At RONA, our employees let their passion blossom every day. Our teams are driven by the desire to help people bring their projects to life and are committed to making a difference in the communities we serve.

We operate or service corporate and affiliated dealer stores. With a distinctive product and service offering and complementary store formats ranging from neighbourhood hardware stores to big box stores, our RONA+, RONA and Dick’s Lumber banners are well equipped to help meet the needs of all DIYers and contractors.

You’ve got the talent? We’ve got the tools! Here, your work and ideas will contribute to building a flourishing organization. Your voice will always be heard and valued. You’ll find career opportunities that live up to your ambitions and be able to further develop your unique set of skills.

So, if you’re looking to do what you love, we could be a perfect match.

RONA is seeking a Director, Category Management who will lead the overall strategy for their categories and ensure the performance, governance and evolution of the merchandising activities under their responsibility.

This person will be responsible for defining the vision, strategic priorities and business plans for their categories to support sales growth, margin optimization, competitiveness, sound inventory management and assortment optimization. They will report to the Vice President, Merchandising, and work closely with the Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Digital, Corporate and Dealer Store Operations, and Outside Sales teams to align category strategies with the company’s overall business objectives.

The incumbent will lead a team composed of category managers, assistant category managers and coordinators, while ensuring the development of the commercial and operational capabilities required to build high-performing, differentiated assortments that are centered on customer needs. Commercial strategies must consider the needs of corporate stores, affiliated dealers, digital and outside sales.

Your Role :

Category Vision and Strategy

• Define and lead the category strategy to ensure clear, profitable and relevant positioning across channels and markets.

• Establish category strategic priorities based on customer trends, competitive dynamics, market data, financial performance, supply realities and company objectives.

• Develop integrated category plans covering assortment, pricing, promotions, private brand, inventory, customer experience, digital and supplier relationships.

• Advise senior leadership on strategic matters related to growth, competitiveness, profitability and category evolution.

• Maintain an appropriate level of retail price competitiveness while remaining focused on customer needs and the value equation.

• Consider the needs of corporate stores, affiliated dealers, digital and outside sales in the development and execution of category strategies.

• Promote decisions that consider operational, financial, commercial and reputational impacts across the organization.

Financial Performance and Commercial Management

• Be accountable for the financial performance of the categories, including sales, margins, vendor revenues, inventory turns and contribution to financial objectives.

• Contribute to the development and monitoring of annual, quarterly, periodic and weekly plans, as well as commercial forecasts, ensuring a clear link between category strategies and expected results.

• Identify growth levers and opportunities to improve productivity and margins, while strengthening price competitiveness, customer-perceived value and offer relevance, then lead the action plans required to achieve established targets.

• Manage commercial trade-offs between growth, profitability, inventory, competitiveness, customer service, operational capacity and logistics.

• Ensure that assortment, sourcing, acquisition cost and retail pricing decisions support a viable, competitive and profitable commercial equation for affiliated dealers.

Assortment, Pricing, Promotion and Customer Experience

• Define the category assortment architecture, including category roles, range levels, coverage of customer needs, product rationalization, newness and optimization opportunities.

• Ensure alignment between assortment, pricing strategies, promotional strategies, planograms, selling space, digital and brand positioning objectives.

• Collaborate with the Pricing, Marketing, Digital, Planogram, Corporate and Dealer Store Operations teams to optimize competitiveness, value perception, product availability, service and execution.

• Ensure that category strategies meet the needs of customers, professionals and DIYers, while strengthening some differentiation in the market.

Suppliers, Negotiation, Global Sourcing and Private Brand

• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to maximize commercial value, innovation, service quality and category performance.

• Lead, with their team, negotiations related to costs, commercial programs, purchasing terms, vendor revenues, volume commitments, service levels and growth initiatives.

• Ensure sound management of commercial agreements to optimize profitability and contribution to category objectives, while minimizing risks for the organization, ensuring compliance with business practices and protecting the company’s brand image.

• Identify and develop opportunities in global sourcing, private brand, product differentiation and innovation.

• Ensure that supplier decisions support objectives related to competitiveness, profitability, supply resilience and value creation for customers.

Inventory, Supply Chain and Operational Execution

• Collaborate with the Planning, Supply Chain and Corporate and Dealer Store Operations teams to optimize product availability, inventory productivity and in-store and online execution.

• Oversee commercial decisions related to purchasing, inventory levels, assortment transitions, product lifecycle and liquidation strategies.

• Ensure that category strategies consider operational, logistical, seasonal, regional and omnichannel realities.

• Implement the required follow-up mechanisms to support plan execution, issue resolution, process compliance, cross-functional collaboration and achievement of results.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead, engage and develop the Category Management team, including category managers, assistant category managers and category coordinators.

• Establish a clear vision and foster a culture of performance, collaboration, analytical rigor, financial discipline and accountability.

• Develop talent, strengthen commercial capabilities and ensure succession within the team.

• Promote cross-functional collaboration and represent the function with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Performance Indicators

• Sales, margin and financial contribution performance of the categories.

• Profitable category growth and achievement of annual, quarterly, periodic and weekly plans.

• Maintenance or improvement of competitive positioning, offer relevance, price competitiveness and value perception.

• Optimization of inventory levels, product availability, inventory productivity and effectiveness of assortment transitions.

• Support for the commercial and operational needs of corporate stores, affiliated dealers, digital and outside sales.

• Quality, clarity and relevance of communications with internal and external stakeholders.

• Supplier performance, including vendor revenues, service quality, supply, innovation and contribution to category objectives.

• Development of global sourcing, private brand, product differentiation and innovation initiatives.

• Quality of execution of category plans, planograms and in-store and online presentation.

• Engagement, performance and development of the Category Management team.

• Contribution to projects aimed at advancing the Merchandising teams and the organization.

The Qualifications we're looking for :

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Operations Management or a related field.

• More than 10 years of relevant experience in category management, pricing, finance or other related merchandising experience, in retail, with a retailer or with a supplier.

• Significant experience leading teams and collaborating with senior leadership.

• Experience in an omnichannel environment and organizational transformation.

• Proficiency with office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

• Strong financial knowledge and data analysis capabilities.

• Strategic leadership and ability to influence senior leadership.

• Strong business acumen and understanding of retail financial drivers.

• Expertise in category management, finance, pricing strategies, merchandising, store operations, replenishment and data-driven decision-making.

• Excellent communication, collaboration and change management skills.

• Ability to operate in a complex and evolving environment.

• Results-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

By joining the RONA family, you’ll enjoy many benefits, such as:

• A childcare centre that can accommodate up to 78 children

• A cafeteria with a delicious menu prepared by a dedicated chef, healthy options, as well as FARO Roasting Houses and Tim Hortons coffee stations

• Electric car charging stations

• A fitness centre, sports activities, and showers

• Exclusive employee discounts, plus a 10% discount on store merchandise (at all RONA locations)

• Benefits: retirement savings plan, annual bonuses, student incentive program, etc.

• Access to the GreenShield+ telemedicine platform, including virtual consultations with healthcare professionals and pharmacy services

• Career growth opportunities within the company

• An inclusive and safe working environment

• Promotion of work-life balance

• An employer that’s involved in the community

• And much more!

If selected for an interview, please advise our Human Resources team if you require accommodation during the interview and assessment process and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

RONA is committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, age, disability, or any other protected status.