Assistant Category Manager (Grocery, Dairy, Frozen) - 12 Month Assignment

Description

Are you passionate about food, merchandising, and bringing category strategies to life? Join us as an Assistant Category Manager, GDF (12 Month Assignment) and play a key role in product selection, promotional planning, vendor management, and delivering an exceptional experience for our Guests.

Position:             Assistant Category Manager, Grocery, Dairy & Frozen - 12 Month Assignment 

Job Overview:

The Assistant Category Manager is responsible for supporting the Grocery, Dairy & Frozen team, primarily the Category Managers, in the development, execution, and ongoing management of category strategies and plans. This role plays a key part in coordinating product listings, promotional activities, assortment changes, and cross-functional communication to support business objectives across all stores.

Working within established goals, policies, and procedures, the incumbent manages day-to-day category activities independently while also partnering closely with Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, Store Operations, and vendor partners. Responsibilities include supporting promotional planning, forecasting, assortment management, and the execution of key category initiatives.

The Assistant Category Manager collaborates with internal stakeholders and vendors to assist in building merchandising plans, ensure accurate communication and effective process execution to deliver strong category performance. Procurement of new products and the establishment of agreements with new vendors require approval from the Director, Merchandising or the applicable Category Manager. The role also contributes to identifying opportunities to improve category performance, enhance the Guest experience, and support the achievement of departmental financial objectives.

Accountabilities:

Reporting & Administration:

• Provides analysis to aid Category Managers in making effective decisions in an efficient manner, including weekly department reports, Nielsen reporting, Micro Strategy reporting, SKU/category reporting.
• Ensures accuracy of reports and other documentation, including invoices, product distribution, and charges. Flags any issues or discrepancies to Category Managers.
• May be involved in conducting in market research, such as retail checks.
• Supports category management group through effective management of communication on MyLongos message boards, social media, product requests and call-ins.
• Participates in promotional planning by connecting with vendors regarding feature activity, ad/demo items, and other cost-effective deals, based on historic trends. Update relevant systems, including DENTS and price master.
• In support of Category Managers and Specialists, co-ordinates and prepares Department Planning meeting materials and presentations (Show and Sell).
• Communicates with stores, suppliers, and any additional relevant parties to ensure that all category-related materials and information (i.e. retails, labels, costs, promotional and product information, etc.) are absolutely accurate.

Category Management

• Assist in the Development of Strategic/tactical plans for assigned category, including category positioning, mix and pricing across all channels
• Manage vendor relationships
• Develop strong relationships with Operations
• Negotiation with vendors
• Review, analyse and monitor vendor/contract performance
• Troubleshoot and resolve matters with vendors regarding return of products, over-shipments, changes, etc.
• Provide input for advertising and in-store promotions, space management, pricing strategy, service and inventory levels

Internal Partnerships

• Under direction of Category Managers, relays product information, events, and changes to stores.
• Responds to product queries from store Department Management and Team Members, escalates if required.
• If applicable, partners with inventory management department to ensure optimal execution of purchasing plans.
• Works with distribution center and vendors, or inventory management team, to resolve issues related to delivery, short shipments, billing, re-order, etc., on behalf of stores.
• Liaises with marketing department with regards to ad changes, including securing inventory, flagging market changes, and involvement in ad proofing.
• Acts in partnership with merchandising group to ensure upmost accuracy of execution of planograms and MEAL plans.

External Vendor Relationships

• Reviews, analyzes and monitors vendor and contract performance.
• Assists in follow-up with vendors on key initiatives to ensure that vendors are in compliance with Longo’s policies and processes.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Distribution, Replenishment, and vendors to improve product availability and overall supply chain performance.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Supply Chain, Merchandising, Operations, Finance and IT teams.
• Act as a subject matter resource for Supply Chain analytics, reporting, and optimization initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to align improvement opportunities with business objectives.

Health and Safety

• Promotes and endorses safety vision “Safety is our way of life”.
• Observes and support Longo’s safe work guidelines and other safe work practices.
• Role models the importance of health and safety by always working safely and calls out and addressed and safety issues.
• Recognizes risks which may pose a danger to Team Members and customers and resolves such issues (where possible) or modifies work, mitigating the risk to Team Member/customer until resolution can be sourced and implemented.

Key area of responsibility:

• Supports day-to-day activities of category management
• Acts as key liaison with marketing, merchandising, inventory management, DC team and store operations (specifically department managers) and external vendors with regards to bakery & deli merchandising.
• Communicate with I.T.
• Perform special projects/requests assigned by Department Director.

Key Competencies:

• Creative and analytical approach to problem solving, including the ability to take abstract concepts and develop them into tactical programs
• Result-oriented self-starter with ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders across business units
• Strong customer-service orientation
• Detailed oriented and business savvy
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Excellent analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient oral and written business communication skills

Knowledge, Skills & Credentials:

• Post-Secondary Diploma, preferably in a business-oriented field
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in retail merchandising
• Strong business financial skills
• Experience in retail environment is an asset
• Strong computer skills required, particularly in Microsoft suite of product
• Familiarity with procurement software preferred
• Ability to develop and implement tactical plans

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with participation in meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities with regular deadlines
• Travel to stores required

Longo’s is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and, upon request, will work with qualified job applicants to provide suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.

Note: A qualified job applicant with a disability is one who possesses the required skills, education, experience and training and who can, with reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the position applied for.

If you require accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Coordinator at:

Email: [email protected]