Longo's Careers

Description

We are looking for a Category Administrator - GDF who thrives in a fast‑paced, detail‑driven, and collaborative environment.

Do you enjoy working with data, supporting category strategy, and partnering with cross‑functional teams to ensure accurate, timely execution? If you’re passionate about organization, analysis, and helping drive merchandising success, join us!

Position:             Category Administrator - GDF (6 Month Contract)

Job Overview:

Reporting to the Senior Director - GDF Merchandising, this position is responsible for supporting the Merchandising group in activities related to the implementation and successful execution of category plans. It acts as a liaison between store Department Managers, Category Managers and Suppliers for assigned categories. This position also provides administrative duties, including reporting and trending, assisting in presentation preparation, and responding to internal and external stakeholders in a timely and effective manner 

Accountabilities:

Special Department Projects:

• Supports cross-functional merchandising initiatives, seasonal programs, department transformation projects, and strategic business priorities.
• Coordinates project timelines, meeting materials, status updates, and communication with internal stakeholders and vendor partners.
• Tracks project milestones, action items, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.
• Assists in testing, implementation, and post-launch reviews of new processes, systems, assortments, and merchandising initiatives.
• Consolidates insights, results, and recommendations for leadership presentations and project recap meetings.

Category Management Support:

• Provides Category Managers support throughout decision-making processes, including product and category analysis, assisting in seasonal plans, and preparing financials for category reviews.
• Supports category management group through effective management of communication on MyLongos message boards, social media, product requests, orders and replenishments (if applicable), and call-ins.
• Participates in promotional planning by connecting with vendors regarding feature activity, ad/demo items, and other cost-effective deals, based on historic trends. Update systems, including Dents and Vendor Portal.
• In support of Category Managers and Specialists, co-ordinates and prepares Department Planning meeting materials and presentations (Show and Sell), Department training materials.
• Communicates with stores, suppliers, and any additional relevant parties to ensure that all category-related materials and information (i.e. retails, costs, promotional and product information, etc.) are absolutely accurate.

Internal Partnerships:

• Under direction of Category Managers, relays product information, events, and changes to stores.
• Responds to product queries from store Department Management and Team Members, escalates if required.
• If applicable, partners with inventory management department to ensure optimal execution of purchasing plans.
• Works with distribution centre and vendors, or inventory management team, to resolve issues related to delivery, short shipments, billing, re-order, etc., on behalf of stores.
• Liaises with marketing department with regards to ad changes, including securing inventory, flagging market changes, and involvement in ad proofing.
• Acts in partnership with merchandising group to ensure upmost accuracy of execution of planograms and MEAL plans  

Vendor Management:

• Reviews, analyzes, and monitors vendor and contract performance. 
• Assists in follow-up with vendors on key initiatives to ensure that vendors are following Longo’s policies.
• Runs reports to aid Category Managers in making effective decisions in an efficient manner, including weekly department reports, Nielsen reporting, Microstrategy reporting, SKU/category reporting.
• Provides reporting and trending related to replenishments, inventory, distributions, prebooks, etc. for category management team.
• Ensures accuracy of reports and other documentation, product distribution, and charges. Flags any issues or discrepancies to Category Managers.
• May be involved in conducting in market research, such as retail checks. 

Health and Safety:

• Promotes and endorses safety vision “Safety is our way of life”.
• Observes and supports Longo’s safe work guidelines and other safe work practices.
• Role models the importance of health and safety by always working safely and calling out and addressing safety issues.
• Recognizes risks which may pose a danger to Team Members and Guests and resolves such issues (where possible) or modifies work, mitigating the risk to Team Member/Guests until resolution can be sourced and implemented.

Key area of responsibility:

• Supports day-to-day activities related to Longo’s category management.
• Acts as a key liaison with marketing, merchandising, inventory management, distribution centre teams, along with store operations (specifically Department Management) and external vendors/suppliers with regards to Merchandising.
• Communicates and works to resolve system issues with IT department.
• Performs additional tasks that are specific to assigned category (and not detailed in this profile) as determined by immediate manager.
• Undertakes special tasks and duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Credentials:

• Post-Secondary Diploma or equivalent, preferably in a business-oriented field of study.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in retail merchandising.
• Strong ability to coordinate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills required, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Familiarity with procurement software preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Results-oriented self-starter with an ability to collaborate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong time management and organization skills
• Proficient in written and oral communication
• Detail oriented and business-savvy
• Enthusiasm and willingness to continuously learn and develop knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment with participation in meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities with regular deadlines.
• Occasional travel to stores may be required.
• Occasional travel outside of Canada may be required for trade shows and supplier partner initiatives.

Longo’s is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and, upon request, will work with qualified job applicants to provide suitable accommodation in a manner that takes into account the applicant’s accessibility needs due to disability.

Note: A qualified job applicant with a disability is one who possesses the required skills, education, experience and training and who can, with reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the position applied for.

If you require accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Coordinator at:

Telephone: 905-264-4100

Email: [email protected]

Mail: 8800 Huntington Road, Vaughan, ON, L4H 3M6