Category Manager – Innovation / New Business

Some of what you will do: 

The Category Manager of New Business is at the forefront of discovering and launching new product categories, driving growth and innovation in both B2B and B2C channels. With a relentless entrepreneurial spirit, they take ownership of sourcing and curating differentiated, high-impact product assortments that align with the company’s vision and brand identity. Through strategic leadership, they spearhead the development of new categories, ensuring successful execution both in-store and online. 

Specifically, You Will: 

• Lead new category identification and launch, leveraging market insights, customer needs, and competitive intelligence to size opportunities and bring differentiated product assortments to market. 

• Own end‑to‑end category strategy and execution across brick‑and‑mortar, ensuring relevant go‑to‑market plans and flawless execution from concept to launch. 

• Develop and manage strategic assortments,  actively managing the product lifecycle to drive sales, margin, and market differentiation. 

• Drive financial performance, including sales, margin, pricing competitiveness, inventory productivity, and forecast accuracy, while maximizing ROI and inventory turnover. 

• Build and manage strong vendor partnerships, leading negotiations, managing funding and promotional support, and collaborating on innovation, assortment growth, and market trends. 

• Partner cross‑functionally with Marketing, Digital, Supply Chain, Space Planning, Operations, to deliver effective promotions, merchandising strategies, and an optimized customer experience in‑store. 

• Partner with peer Category Managers to support the transition of successful new‑to‑business products to base category portfolios once pilots meet established hurdle rates for viability, ensuring continuity, scalability, and sustained performance. 

Some of what you need: 

• Post secondary degree/diploma with a focus on retail management, merchandising and purchasing or equivalent experience. 

• Minimum of 5-7 years of category management experience, preferably with a national retail chain or five years in the Staples Buyer Development Program. 

• Ability to foresee market trends and changes in order to make effective buying decisions. 

• Participate in special projects. 

Some of what you will get: 

• Associate discount 

• Health and Dental benefits 

• RRSP/DPSP 

• Performance bonuses 

• Learning & Development programs 

• And more... 

#Bringyourpassion 

#LI-Hybrid