Contract: Retail Category Manager - Large Oil and Gas Company / Canada

Our client, a large oil and gas company, is currently seeking a Retail Category Manager for a 1 year contract in Calgary, AB.

 

REASON FOR OPENING/PROJECT:

To backfill for a role that recently became vacant

 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage product categories to ensure proper product selection, including the identification and introduction of new products; efficient distribution; proper shelving space allocations; competitive costing, fair retail pricing and effective promotional strategies.
• Forecast, track and analyze category and product volumes and evaluate industry wide trends and the competitive landscape to develop a sales growth strategy for specific products or groups of products.
• Manage vendor relationships including selecting and negotiating with vendors to provide products and services sought by customers, optimizing volume rebates and promotional funding support, and resolving site-level vendor issues.
• Conduct business analysis, make recommendations on marketing plans and sales fundamentals, and implement specific business plan strategies and initiatives such as preparation of quarterly/annual category business reviews.
• Communicate and support Retail Operations team members and retailers, including but not limited to: program/key product lists, category-specific merchandising, pricing and inventory management training store layouts, audits, articles and merchandising
• Develop and implement selling concepts and tools to support category projects and provide post launch support and recommendations to sales and customers through performance tracking and analysis.

 

MUST HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree
• Business degree with a specialization in Marketing and MBA (asset)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience with a vendor or retailer in operations, marketing, purchasing or selling in a multi-unit retail environment
• Category Management or consumer/ product analytical experience in a retail environment
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to draw insights from internal and external data sources
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with superior attention to detail
• Creative approach to negotiating and problem-solving
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office (word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams with a demonstrated ability to maintain strong internal and external relationships
• Passion to see projects through from inception to completion and the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Strong planning skills
• Previous experience in managing the tobacco category