In your role as Category Manager at The North West Company (TNWC), you will be accountable to define category strategy and own the results, make sourcing and assortment decisions and drive category sales and profit growth through data driven decision-making and innovation.

The Category Manager at The North West Company (TNWC), uses financial data, customer research, market data, and industry information to better meet the needs of our unique consumer and to optimize financial performance through regular monitoring and innovation. As Category Manager you will develop, formulate, and execute tactics within the context of the overall category strategy, including assortment planning, procurement, merchandising, retail pricing advertising and promotion, as well as managing vendor relationships and supply agreements.  As a leader, you will manage and develop the Category Team to achieve Category Performance.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture. 

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

• As the Category Manager you are the subject matter expert for your Category and build plans around category product, promotion and placement to drive financial performance.
• You will build and maintain strong relationship with suppliers to secure the most favorable terms, costs, product and quality of goods for NWC and our customers.
• Developing a connection with the remote communities we serve through in-community work experience to create customer-centered business plans.
• Develop market data and our consumer behavior find innovative ways to drive performance in your category.
• Develop plans with measurable objectives that includes advertising, in-store specials and special buys.
• Set the initial sales, gross profit, and inventory forecasts used in developing the final operating budget and develop plans to achieve annual budgets.
• Work with Merchandising Services to monitor and recommend pricing, stock levels that deliver on category performance.
• Provide advice to Operations on Category opportunities.
• Provide leadership and management of initiatives to the department’s Category Assistant.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in category management is required.
• Must have a post-secondary education (Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) in Commerce, Marketing or Supply Chain Management. Additional experience in lieu of education may be considered.
• Experience leading and managing a small team is required.
• Solid experience with MS Office Suite experience including above average knowledge of Excel.
• Must have demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and financial analysis capabilities.
• Ability to set priorities and manage priorities of the team.
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to teach and monitor performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.

Location:      Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg MB
Reports To:   Senior Category Manager, Category Management

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

Being Enterprising • Committing to our Customer • Working with Passion • Leading and Developing Others • Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity • Building Trust
The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill. 

For Internal Applicants Only:

Salary Grade: C0R010

Note:  All employees must have a minimum of one year of service in their current position prior to applying for other positions unless authorized by their current manager. Prior to applying, an internal employee also MUST obtain a written endorsement email from their current Manager or Manager – once – removed and provide this to the recruitment team before they can be considered for opportunities. This opportunity adheres to the Corporate job posting guidelines.