Category Manager, Hi-Lo Food Stores

Category Manager, Hi-Lo Food Stores

Hi-Lo Food Stores is seeking a Category Manager

Purpose of Job:

The incumbent is required to assist in specific aspects of the business that fall in the area of responsibility of the Category Department, which include: Analytical Review of Categories; Cost & Price management; Price & GP Management of assigned categories; Strategic Purchasing/Procurement; Competitors Price Checks and the overall performance of the Categories managed.

General Responsibilities:

• Perform monthly analytical review of New Products performance and generate report, with the objective to identify issues or areas of concern and implement corrective action as necessary.
• Identify new products and suppliers to grow the assigned departments and ensure that stores test products.
• Review performance of new items 
• Negotiate best costs for products where possible.
• Monitor GP Margin and GM exception review on a weekly basis of the departments, ensuring that all products are realizing the minimum target margin.
• Track the performance of the top suppliers for each category of responsibility, and identify weaknesses or areas that require immediate attention and present solutions to the Chief Category Manager
• Increase and maintain the margins for assigned departments to achieve minimum budget level within the specified period.
• Conduct or commission monthly price checks; compile findings with recommendation(s) within 24 hours of the visits.
• Identify products for the monthly flyers and negotiate discounts with suppliers for the length of promotion.
• Maintain a “Gondola Calendar” for all stores to identify opportunities for new rental agreement with the approval of Category Manager
• Review the performance of Gondola Rental on a monthly basis and prepare report within three days of the new month.
• Approve promotions as per the stores’ needs.
• Analyse and prepare report for top fifteen (15) Suppliers on a monthly basis.
• Identify and recommend new opportunities for incremental increases in sales and margins.

 Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounts, Finance, Marketing or Management Studies
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in operations of a Retail food business is a definite asset
• Sound knowledge of the retail market and distribution of consumer goods
• Working knowledge of general accounting principles
• Experience in marketing would be an asset
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access