Category Manager, Merchandising

We are seeking a results-driven and strategic Category Manager, Merchandising to develop, manage and optimize specific product categories within our retail operations. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the retail landscape and consumer behavior, retail buying experience, specifically in housewares, and a proven track record of driving sales growth and improving profitability. You will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, managing vendor relationships, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize product mix and deliver results for the business.

In this role you will:

• Develop and execute multiyear category portfolio strategies that align with enterprise objectives, customer insights, and financial targets, with clear accountability for sales, gross margin, contribution margin, inventory productivity, and overall category profitability and P&L outcomes. 


• Own the financial management of assigned categories, including annual budget development, sales forecasting, margin planning, open-to-buy inputs, KPI tracking, and in-year course correction to deliver the approved financial plan.


• Manage assortment architecture and product lifecycle planning, including new item selection, SKU productivity, rationalization, discontinuations, and mix optimization to maximize return on inventory investment.


• Lead regular assortment and financial performance reviews to evaluate sales trends, margin performance, inventory turns, sell-through, markdown exposure, and profitability opportunities across the category portfolio.


• Evaluate new products, vendors, sourcing opportunities, market trends, trade show insights, and competitive activity through a commercial and financial lens, ensuring all recommendations support category growth, margin expansion, and portfolio health.


• Source, negotiate, and manage vendor relationships to secure favorable pricing, terms, rebates, allowances, cooperative marketing funds, service levels, and quality standards that strengthen category economics and improve total value.


• Research the competitive landscape and benchmark pricing, assortment, merchandising, promotional activity, and category performance to identify risks, growth opportunities, and profitability levers.


• Lead pricing strategy development and execution, using competitive analysis, elasticity, margin targets, and market positioning to optimize revenue, profitability, and customer value.


• Develop planograms and in-store and online merchandising strategies that support category financial goals, inventory productivity, and customer conversion in collaboration with Visual Merchandising.


• Build promotional plans that drive traffic, product velocity, margin performance, and profitable category growth across channels in partnership with Marketing.


• Monitor inventory levels, replenishment, sell-through, stockouts, overstocks, and markdown risk, recommending actions that protect sales and improve inventory efficiency working closely with Planning and Supply Chain. 


• Provide regular reporting to senior management on category portfolio performance, including sales, margin, inventory, forecast accuracy, promotional effectiveness, vendor performance, and strategic recommendations.

The Qualifications and Experience we like to see:

• University or College degree in Business-related discipline.


• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or buying, within the retail industry (in kitchen and dining categories or Home Goods). 


• Expertise in pricing strategy and assortment planning.


• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.


• Experience with direct sourcing and product development.


• Prior involvement in marketing campaigns and in-store visual presentations is an asset.


• Strong financial acumen, with a track record for developing and executing business plans that achieve financial performance and operational targets.  


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable strategies.


• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a fast-pace work environment.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Advanced MS Office Suite expertise, including advanced Excel skills and the ability to create and deliver engaging PowerPoint presentations. 


• Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence and collaborate with diverse teams.


• Able to travel for trade shows, vendor meetings, store openings, etc...

Additional information

This is a current open position. The salary range for this position is $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 annually. Actual salary for the role may vary depending on work location of the successful candidate and other factors including but not limited to, skills, education, experience, working conditions and the local labour market. 

Our recruitment process incorporates various screening technologies, which may include AI, to screen for employability or suitability. Human recruiters review all applications.