Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.ca/job/2fsryc

A purpose-driven, multi-location organic retailer in Alberta is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Category Manager – Grocery to lead the performance, profitability, and product integrity of its grocery and produce categories across all stores. This is a high-impact leadership role with oversight of the Grocery Buyer. The successful candidate will combine strong financial acumen with deep retail grocery experience — bringing discipline to margin management, clarity to product mix decisions, and energy to vendor and in-store partnerships. This opportunity is ideal for a grocery merchant who understands natural and organic retail, values ethical sourcing, and thrives in a dynamic, community-focused environment. You will be responsible for end-to-end category performance across multiple locations. This includes gross margin optimization, inventory turnover, product mix strategy, vendor negotiations, promotional planning, and in-store merchandising alignment. The role requires a balance of analytical rigor, field engagement, and leadership capability — ensuring that every product decision supports financial targets while aligning with the organization’s values and customer expectations.

Description

Leadership & Oversight

- Lead, manage, and hold accountable the Grocery Buyer and support in-store grocery managers.
- Provide coaching and direction to ensure strong on-hand inventory management and disciplined purchasing practices.

Category Performance & Margin Management

- Set and execute pricing strategies to optimize gross margin while maintaining customer loyalty.
- Analyze reports and market trends to continuously refine pricing and assortment strategy.
- Improve inventory turnover and reduce waste through disciplined purchasing and product flow management.

Product Mix & Merchandising

- Optimize category assortment based on store demographics, sales trends, and industry insights.
- Ensure all products align with organizational ethical and quality standards.




- Partner with store leadership to maintain logical, compelling merchandising and category placement.
- Conduct regular store walk-throughs to ensure execution standards are upheld.

Promotions & Marketing Collaboration

- Coordinate monthly flyers and tiered promotions.
- Partner with Marketing on promotional planning, end caps, signage, and trade advertising (print and digital).
- Track flyer sales, promotional lift, and new product performance.

Vendor Relations & Purchasing Advantage

- Build and maintain robust vendor relationships.
- Negotiate favorable pricing and discount structures.
- Attend trade shows and industry networking events to identify new products and secure advantageous terms.
- Review vendor applications and assess customer product requests.

Operational & Tactical Execution

- Monitor out-of-stock levels and implement corrective strategies.
- Provide in-store support during promotional events and activations.
- Manage demo schedules and customer engagement initiatives.
- Support seasonal and monthly purchasing programs.

Requirements

- Direct retail grocery experience is required.
- Having natural and organic foods industry experience is preferred.
- Previous purchasing and people management experience.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills with demonstrated business acumen.
- Experience working with inventory systems and database-driven reporting tools.
- High level of organization and attention to detail.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic, evolving retail environment.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across stores, vendors, and marketing teams

Corporate Culture

- Full-time salaried position (40 hours per week on average).
- Some travel within Calgary and occasional travel across Alberta/Canada required.

This is an opportunity for a retail grocery merchant to elevate category performance while protecting the integrity of a natural and organic assortment — driving both financial results and meaningful community impact.

Contact Pamela x1 or submit your resume in confidence below.

Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.ca/job/2fsryc

📌 Senior Category Manager (Calgary)
🏢 Appcast
📍 Calgary