Senior Manager Category Analytics - Fresh

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well.
At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.
Reports to: Senior Director, Sourcing Analytics
As the Senior Manager, Category Analytics for Fresh, you will lead sophisticated commercial analytics that strengthen sourcing strategies and supplier decisions across Loblaw’s Fresh categories. Working at the intersection of data, commercial strategy and execution, you will design and facilitate complex competitive sourcing events, develop rigorous supplier evaluation frameworks and translate bid outcomes into actionable recommendations that create measurable enterprise value.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Sourcing Analytics, you will be a senior analytical partner to Fresh Sourcing and Merchandising leaders. You will bring structure to ambiguous sourcing challenges, challenge assumptions with fact-based insights and help stakeholders navigate trade-offs across cost, quality, service, supply continuity and operational feasibility. You will also raise the standard of analytical tools and ways of working across the Category Analytics function.
Core ResponsibilitiesComplex RFP Strategy & Execution
Lead the analytical design and facilitation of complex, high-value Fresh RFPs, including sourcing-event architecture, supplier bid templates, evaluation criteria, timelines and governance.
Develop bid lot approaches that enable fair comparisons across differing specifications, pricing structures, service models and supply arrangements.
Coordinate with Fresh Sourcing, Merchandising and relevant operational partners to surface constraints, manage analytical issues and support informed award recommendations.
Commercial Modelling & Decision Support
Build and challenge robust total-cost, scenario and supplier economics models that quantify the impact of alternative sourcing and award decisions.
Assess supplier submissions and identify commercial opportunities, risks and sensitivities;
clearly articulate the assumptions underpinning recommendations.
Develop fact-based negotiation support, including benchmarks, cost drivers, supplier comparisons and quantified trade-offs.
Value Identification & Realization
Proactively identify sourcing opportunities through category, supplier and market analysis, including competitive tension, supplier mix and improved commercial structures.
Partner with Commodity & Business Intelligence, Sourcing leadership and Finance, where appropriate, to establish opportunity baselines, quantify expected value and support post-decision measurement.
Elevate material risks or value gaps early and recommend pragmatic actions to protect expected outcomes.
Strategic Partnership & Influence
Serve as a trusted thought partner to senior Fresh Sourcing and Merchandising stakeholders on high-stakes commercial decisions.
Translate detailed analyses into clear executive-ready narratives, recommendations and decision options.
Lead cross-functional working sessions to align on assumptions, evaluation principles and commercial implications.
Analytical Excellence & Capability Development
Develop reusable RFP methodologies, modelling standards, templates and quality controls that improve consistency and speed across Fresh categories.
Identify opportunities to apply automation, advanced analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve analytical rigor and productivity, in partnership with the broader Analytics function.
Coach and mentor analytical colleagues through complex problem-solving and commercial judgement, without presumed direct-report accountability.
Key Skills and Qualifications
7+ years of progressive experience in sourcing, procurement, category or commercial analytics, merchandising, or management consulting;
Fresh grocery experience is a strong asset.
Demonstrated success leading complex competitive sourcing events and translating bid evaluations into sound commercial recommendations.
Strong understanding of Fresh sourcing considerations, including perishability, seasonality, service levels, quality and supply continuity.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Supply Chain or a related discipline;
equivalent relevant experience considered.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex quantitative findings into clear commercial recommendations and influence senior cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong commercial judgment, structured problem-solving and comfort navigating ambiguity, competing priorities and sensitive supplier information.
Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities;
experience with business intelligence, analytics or automation tools is an asset.
Proven ability to independently lead high-impact workstreams, build effective relationships and improve analytical methodologies.
Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.
We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.
Please NoteCandidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.
Hiring Range / Échelle salariale à l’embauche :$100,000.00 - $132,000.00 / 100.000,00$ - 132.000,00$ (per year / par an)A candidate’s experience and knowledge as well as the geographical region in which the position is located may be factored into the pay a candidate receives for this position. This posting is for a newly created position. The Company uses artificial intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing and/or selecting applicants for this position. / L’expérience et les connaissances d’un candidat ainsi que la région géographique dans laquelle le poste est situé peuvent être prises en compte dans la rémunération qu’un candidat reçoit pour ce poste. Cette offre d’emploi concerne un poste nouvellement créé. L’entreprise utilise l’intelligence artificielle dans le but de filtrer, d’évaluer et/ou de sélectionner les candidats à ce poste.
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