Summerhill Market is a boutique grocery store chain in Toronto that specializes in scratch-made prepared foods and on-trend ingredients. Our stores go above and beyond a typical grocery store by offering an extensive rotating selection of ready to eat gourmet meals, freshly baked goodies, and curated hard to find groceries.
We are searching for a Category Manager & Buyer to join our team to oversee our Grocery category!
In this role, you will be responsible for researching industry trends, conducting market analysis, and reviewing past sales trends to determine the viability of current and new grocery products that are sold at our grocery store locations. The ideal candidate will be an expert at building strong relationships with Store Management, Marketing and vendors and will become an expert at gauging the customer and consumer demand.
This role will report to the Director of Operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Research and analyze data and market insights to source grocery items that align to Summerhill brand
- Analyze past sales and trends, leveraging this data to determine customer demand and purchasing decisions
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with our vendors that are located locally, and throughout North America
- Initiate, negotiate and manage vendor agreements, costs, vendor allowances/terms, quality, and delivery terms to drive supplier performance
- Plan and implement long-term development strategies for product categories
- Oversee new item and promotional forecasts: identifying item de-lists, managing and communicating markdowns/markups/price adjustments
- Develop exit strategies to ensure adjustments can and will be made as necessary for unsuccessful products
- Shop our competition to identify product assortment and price comparisons to ensure we remain competitive in the market and industry
- Place appropriate orders and provide updates accordingly when product is not available or out of stock
- Strategize, in collaboration with Operations, Store Management and Marketing, on the planning, positioning and execution of a new items to maximize its visibility and success
- Attend trade shows and buying trips to identify new vendors, enhance innovation and product categories that will influence item assortment, new item creation, pricing, and align to our vision
- Forecast demand trends for multiple stores while managing and tracking budgets
- Manage importers license ensuring that all regulations and food safety requirements are being met on a continuous basis
- Develop technical documentation to improve and expand the importer program at Summerhill Market
Skillset requirements:
- 5+ years’ experience as a Category Manager, in grocery or retail is preferred
- Post-secondary education in business administration, marketing, or similar relevant field
- In-depth knowledge of marketing and sales operations and processes
- Hands on experience with analyzing large data sets and preparing forecasts
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to understand and develop technical documents related to food and safety regulations
- Knowledge of the ECRS platform or similar POS (Point of Sale) System, an asset
Perks:
If this sounds like the role for you, we offer some pretty cool perks!
- Awesome discount on everything we sell!
- Easily accessible locations
- Company-paid benefits after completion of probationary period
Equity Statement:
At Summerhill Market, we are an equal opportunity employer that values and encourages diversity in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and Employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, disability or any other characteristic protected by local law. Should you require an accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Store discount
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
