Longo's Careers

Description

We are looking for a Category Manager, Third Party Partnerships who is passionate about building strong brand collaborations and driving category growth through strategic planning and execution. You thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven, and highly collaborative environment, and enjoy balancing big-picture strategy with hands-on execution.

Do you have experience managing vendor partnerships, developing category strategies, and bringing merchandising programs to life—from concept through in-store and digital execution? If you love turning insights into action and delivering results that elevate the guest experience, this role is for you.

Why not join us?

Position: Category Manager, Third Party Partnerships

Job Overview:

Reporting to Vice President, Merchandising, this position is responsible for activities related to the implementation and successful execution of third-party partnerships including but not exclusive to, gift cards, gift baskets, other corporate gifting merchandise, Kitchen Hub partner management as well as Starbucks/Coffee Category Management and P&L ownership.

The incumbent is responsible for direct in store sales and gifting to guests, the implementation and successful execution of the gift cards and baskets categories. The incumbent will assist in building Private Brand programs and help to create and build an online, direct mail, in store gift giving opportunities.

This role is required to work collaboratively with Category, Operations to forecast and execute all categories plans. It is responsible to identify and build enhanced programs while reviewing current performance and making decisions to ensure results exceed targeted objectives. 

This role will be required to complete market research and identify category trends along with ensuring established goals, objectives and policies and guidelines are successful. Day-to-day buying activities are performed independently however forecasting for advertised product needs and collaboration with key business partners. 

For Starbucks operations, there will be a requirement to be in the field supporting stores around operational excellence (standards, training & execution) minimally 2 times per month.  Also included will be planning support for Starbucks new store builds/renovations.  In periods of high demand, store visits will become more frequent to support business as required.

Accountabilities:

Reporting and Administration:

• Runs reports that support making effective decisions in an efficient manner, including weekly department reports, Nielsen Microstrategy reporting, SKU/category reporting.
• Review reporting and trending related to replenishments, inventory, distributions, prebooks, etc. and complete forecasting with Category Management and Operations.
• Ensures accuracy of reports and other documentation, including invoices, product distribution, and charges.
• Complete market research, such as retail checks.
• Manage P&L/CTO

Starbucks Specific support:

• Support execution planning and share best practices on specific merchandising initiatives/standards.
• Support required training via communication and direction
• Support planning for new store/renovations/upgrade plans to ensure flawless transition.
• Manage pricing, promotions & assortment.

Category Management & Product Ordering:

• Develop tactical plans for the category, including category positioning, mix and pricing.
• Collaborate with business partners for advertising and in-store promotions, space management, pricing strategy, service and inventory levels.
• Receives, processes, and completes delivery of gift card and basket sale orders.
• Fulfill store orders of retail gift cards and supplies.
• Maintains data base of Private Brand vendor contracts and supporting documentation.
• Effective management of communication on MyLongos message boards, social media, product requests, orders, and replenishments.
• Communicates with stores, suppliers, and any additional relevant parties to ensure that all category-related materials and information (i.e. retails, labels, costs, promotional and product information, etc.) are accurate.

Internal Partnerships:

• Collaborate with Category Managers, relays product information, events, and changes to stores.
• Key support 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.
• Collaborates, share information and business intelligence with digital, B2B and online fulfillment teams to build category sales
• Coordinates new gift card inventory system load with IT department
• Acts as an approver for CRM gift card transactions
• Works with distribution centre and vendors, or inventory management team, to resolve issues related to delivery, short shipments, billing, re-order
• Liaises with marketing department and category teams on the annual design of gift cards and basket content
• Work with a cross functional team of internal stakeholders and external agency partners to develop and deliver products for the Longo’s brand.

External Vendor Relationships:

• Negotiation with vendors.
• Reviews, analyzes, and monitors vendor performance.
• Attends regular vendor business meetings; review pas vendor performance and identifies new sales opportunities.
• Assists in follow-up with vendors on key initiatives to ensure that vendors are in compliance with Longo’s policies and processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve matters with vendors regarding return of products, over-shipments, changes, etc.

Health and Safety:

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

Cross Functional Accountabilities:

• Supports day-to-day activities related to Longo’s & Starbucks 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 Fresh/Grocery 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 by department VP, Director

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:

• Post-Secondary (University degree) or equivalent in a business-oriented field of study preferred
• Minimum 5 years purchasing and inventory management experience
• Experience in a retail environment is an asset
• Strong computer skills required, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite of products
• Familiarity with procurement software preferred
• Proficient in Longo’s ERP system, Longo’s sales reporting system

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.
• Ability to develop and implement tactical plans
• Excellent financial skills 

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office environment with participation in meetings
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities with regular deadlines
• Travel to stores will be required

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:

Email: [email protected]