Product Category Manager

The Product Category Manager is responsible for the management, development, and strategic positioning of assigned product categories. Acting as a Product Champion, the incumbent will leverage deep product and market knowledge to support sales efforts, drive category growth, and optimize vendor relationships. This role combines technical expertise, marketing insight, cross-functional collaboration, and training leadership. The Product Category Manager plays a central role in ensuring Master offers the most competitive, well-supported, and strategically aligned product offering to the market.

This role offers the opportunity to be a key player in shaping product strategy and driving business success within a collaborative and fast-paced environment. You will work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners while influencing national outcomes and supporting our valued customers across Canada.

What you will accomplish with us:

Product & Vendor Management
• Serve as the primary liaison between Master and assigned vendors for all product-related matters
• Evaluate and manage vendor performance and category profitability
• Monitor competitive landscape and recommend product or pricing adjustments as needed
• Lead or contribute to vendor negotiations, agreements, and onboarding
• Identify and lead product rationalization initiatives to ensure optimal offering

Sales Enablement & Support
• Champion assigned categories by supporting the sales team with expert knowledge and insights
• Coordinate with Sales, Purchasing, Pricing, Ecom, Warranty, and other departments to ensure alignment and execution
• Develop and deploy sales tools, product comparisons, and selling strategies
• Support after-sales service in collaboration with technical teams and vendor support structures

Training & Education
• Lead and facilitate national and regional product and technical training sessions
• Coordinate the creation and distribution of training materials, installation guides, and troubleshooting aids
• Act as an internal knowledge resource for both product information and application best practices

Marketing & Go-To-Market Strategy
• Support product launches with sales tools, content creation, and internal communications
• Provide input into marketing plans and promotions for assigned categories
• Participate in tradeshows, industry events, and association meetings as a representative of Master
• Category Planning & Strategic Projects
• Monitor and manage inventory stocking levels in coordination with purchasing
• Analyze category performance and propose strategies to enhance growth and profitability
• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects relating to category development or operational improvement
• Track and assess market, regulatory, and industry trends to inform strategy

What You Bring to Our Team:

• Experience: 5+ years of relevant industry experience in HVACR, building materials, or a related field
• Education: Post-secondary education in business, engineering, or related field is preferred
• Technical Acumen: Strong technical knowledge of assigned products and understanding of competing solutions
• Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office; strong communication, presentation, and project management skills
• Languages: Bilingualism (French and English) spoken and written is required
• Attributes: Self-starter, collaborative, analytical, detail-oriented, and customer-focused

Compensation Information:
Base Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 annually
Supplemental Pay Types Include: annual bonus
The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s skills and experience, in compliance with applicable regulations.

Master is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Elevate your career with us! 🌟💼

Competitive Benefits: In addition to a rewarding career within our team, we offer

• Medical and dental coverage from day one, along with short and long-term disability protection
• Contribution to a collective registered retirement savings plan upon starting your role.
• Wellness spending account
• An employee assistance program including psychological, financial, and legal support.
• Access to telemedicine from the beginning of your employment.
• Reimbursement of professional association membership fees.
• Early vacation program.
• Flexible remote work policy

Master, for over 70 years
We've been the HVAC-R leader and one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2010. As the country's leading private HVAC-R distributor, we have over 1,400 active employees, operating in more than 55 branches and 3 distribution centers from British Columbia to the Atlantic provinces, as well as 30 branches in the United States.
It's good to work with us
At Master, we offer you a dynamic, stimulating and fun environment. With a firm belief in healthy, open communications, we take a hands-on approach with all our employees. Teamwork is an integral part of our values, and it's through teamwork that we achieve our greatest successes.