Category Director, Baby (12 Month Contract)

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.

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.

Category Director, Baby

Category Management is at the heart of all we do.

A strategic part of our organization, Category Management at Shoppers drives our front store business with innovative house brands, unique marketing opportunities, powerful supplier relationships, and exclusive brands. You will apply entrepreneurial, consulting, management and analytical skills on a daily basis, while executing and delivering real outcomes that drive the bottom line.

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Category Management Health & Beauty Care & Mass Beauty, the Category Director manages the various product categories, to ensure appropriate mix of product to maximize sales and margin dollars at Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) stores. The Category Director identifies marketing and product related program partnership opportunities with vendors, negotiates product cost and payment terms to maximize margin dollars to generate revenue and increase market share.

Duties:

• Meets with existing and potential vendors to maintain a current knowledge of new product offerings and promotions, assess category performance and growth relative to SDM and competitors, refine current strategies and develop and implement additional strategies to attract and motivate customer purchases, realize maximum profitability, grow market share, and increase customer loyalty.
• Monitors product mix listing to ensure timely acquisition of products, appropriate replenishment, suggest changes in purchasing and provide solutions to minimize the impact of backorders.
• Negotiates with vendors to secure cost effective acquisition costs, more efficient packs, unique and competitive promotional opportunities including first to market initiatives and exclusive listings, in addition to securing revenue funding for SDM marketing initiatives (i.e. PC Optimum, Flyers, Marketing campaigns) and inside programs.
• Reviews and monitors listing and product changes to ensure accurate and timely processing, protect the integrity of all product related data and ensure all administrative requirements are completed and processed as required.
• Negotiates, schedules and implements timely promotional events to build consumer awareness and generate sales.
• Manages and monitors funds in/out accounts to ensure the revenue and spend accounts balance and accurately reflect the results of the category.
• Liaises with the Planogram team to develop and publish annual updates for all plan-o-grams to ensure the item assortment and shelf presentation remains current and best reflects the anticipated market trends.
• Provides guidance, motivation, and performance review including hiring and terminating employees, to maintain and enhance competency levels, identify future training requirements and achieve goals to increase performance.
• Direct report - one Category Assistant

Skills and Experience:

This position requires an advanced level of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize tasks, workload and projects. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with colleagues in every day working relationships.

• Requires specialized interpersonal skills to resolve situations with colleagues where there may be some level of conflict, stress or uncertainty.
• Provides solutions by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required.
• Utilizes decision making skills to achieve specific organizational objectives with consideration given to their impact on other work groups.
• Able to work with diverse personalities and styles.
• Advanced negotiation, persuasive and communication skills to secure favourable category plans.
• Advanced understanding of quality standards relative to merchandising, marketing and promotional practices and procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Communicates with clarity, verbally and in one on one or group situations, or over the telephone.

Education & Job Knowledge:

• Post secondary education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Retail, Marketing, Merchandising or equivalent.

Experience:

• 7-10 years of retail, merchandising, marketing experience.

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.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

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 Note:
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.