Position Description

Department: Sales & Marketing
Position: Category Manager
Reports to: Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Date: January 31, 2015

With 30 locations and a promise of personalized service, The Paint Shop is Atlantic Canada’s largest home decorating network. With our head office based in Newfoundland and Labrador, we are now the largest Benjamin Moore retailer in Canada, as well as the province’s leading Floors First partner, delivering value to our customers for over 40 years.

General Accountability
The Category Manager is accountable for achieving a required set of sales and profit objectives for a specific category of products.  This includes responsibility for the creation and execution of specific plans to accelerate sales growth as well as identification of opportunities to reduce the cost of conducting business.

Building and maintaining productive relationships with suppliers is an essential role of this position, as it translates into a broad range of necessary responsibilities.  Category Management decisions encompass effective product mixes, purchasing decisions, product shelf presentation and all aspects of product and brand promotions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Category Management (40%, frequency increases, often based on overlapping of all functions)
Analysis of category and industry trends leading to decisions on new product listings and promotions which help achieve budget goals and revenue maximization
Budget analysis on a period basis to identify any potential issues and opportunities within the categories
Establishes the product pricing and margins to ensure that category and industry benchmarks are achieved and product portfolios are balanced
Development of an annual Product Category Strategic Plan to include sales forecasts and revenue projections
Accountable for the creation and management of the Category Review Schedule, which includes listing and delisting decisions on specific categories while generating a well-balanced selection of products
Responsible for the generation and maintenance of core product lists for Paint Shop locations which includes a successful balance of product selection and revenue generation
Analysis of product mix to implement and facilitate shelf management for all applicable categories with an effort to maximize sales potential and leverage promotional opportunities across categories
Regularly delivers presentations to Store Operations and Marketing on all aspects related to category initiatives and strategic plans to ensure consistency across all channels and to meet or exceed sales budgets
Presents suppliers and agents with Paint Shop initiatives and promotional opportunities on a regular basis

Promotional Planning (25%, frequency increases often based on overlapping of all functions)
Design and development of promotional programs for the respective categories
Analysis and identification of key product opportunities and the development of marketing programs to avail of these opportunities.
Prepares an annual promotional schedule comprised of 12 promotional periods on a timely basis that involves extensive contact with the suppliers and their representatives.
Monitors product performance during and after the promotion and communicates results to suppliers and Paint Shop operators.
Coordinates products for advertising in Paint Shop media buys on a monthly basis
Approves all promotional material for the respective categories

Supplier Relations (20%, frequency increases often based on overlapping of all functions)
Maintenance of an effective working relationship with supplier representatives to develop comprehensive brand plans to achieve category objectives
Provides analysis on supplier/agent sales, profit, return on investment and listing performance including recommended action plan for exceptions
Conduct ongoing portfolio and business review with all suppliers/agents throughout the year

Purchasing (15%, frequency increases often based on overlapping of all functions)
Manages the purchasing of the products within the portfolio with goals to improve inventory turns while maintaining adequate inventory levels, maximize inventory investment, and identify cost-saving opportunities
Develops reports to identify slow moving inventory and works with Paint Shop Warehouse Manager to maintain targeted inventory turns.

Specific Accountabilities

Ensure the delivery of effective category management techniques, in order to maximize profits
Responsible for all aspects of the design and delivery of promotional activities in their functional area
Maintain a good working relationship with all suppliers
Provide product analysis and category direction for all Special Events related to the promotion and/or release of products

Key Abilities & Competencies Required

Strong decision making skills
Strong problem solving skills
Strong organizational skills
Exceptional analytical skills
Exceptional presentation skills
Excellent management skills
Excellent multi-tasking skills
Highly motivated
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to prioritize tasks
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Ability to work in a fast paced/changing environment

Special Skills, Knowledge, and Education Required

Undergraduate Degree, preferably in Commerce or Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing
Five years’ experience in the package goods industry and/or category management within a retail environment
Three years of progressively responsible experience in the design and implementation of promotional revenue programs
Working knowledge and experience with shelf management and analytical software
Thorough knowledge and experience in the analysis and management of promotional brand budgets through the use of analytical software
Extensive knowledge with MS Office Suite

Direct reports
Category Coordinator reports directly to the Category Manager.

Apply
Please apply, quoting # CM112515-CB to info@thepaintshop.ca