Status: Regular Full-Time

In your role as Category Manager at The North West Company (TNWC), you will be accountable to define category strategy and own the results, make sourcing and assortment decisions and drive category sales and profit growth through data driven decision-making and innovation.

The Category Manager at The North West Company (TNWC) uses financial data, customer research, market data, and industry information to better meet the needs of our unique consumer and to optimize financial performance through regular monitoring and innovation. As Category Manager you will develop, formulate, and execute tactics within the overall category strategy, including assortment planning, procurement, merchandising, retail pricing, advertising, promotion, and managing vendor relationships and supply agreements. As a leader, you will manage and develop the Category Team to achieve Category Performance.

Joining TNWC gives you the opportunity to develop in the Merchandising Department and throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

TNWC is a leading retailer serving under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value proposition is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs.

Your Role:

As the Category Manager you are the subject matter expert for your Category and build plans around category product, promotion, and placement to drive financial performance.

Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to secure the most favorable terms, costs, product, and quality of goods for TNWC and our customers.





Develop a connection with the remote communities served through in-community work experience to create customer-centered business plans.

Develop market data and consumer behavior reports to find innovative ways to drive performance in your category.

Develop plans with measurable objectives that include advertising, in-store specials, and special buys.

Set the initial sales, gross profit, and inventory forecasts used in the final operating budget and develop plans to achieve annual budgets.

Work with Merchandising Services to monitor and recommend pricing and stock levels that deliver on category performance.Provide advice to Operations on Category opportunities.

Provide leadership and management of initiatives to the department’s Category Assistant.

Desired Skills & Experience:

Minimum 5 years’ experience in category management or a related field; a post‑secondary education (Bachelor’s or Master’s in Commerce, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management) is required. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of education.

Experience leading and managing a small team.

Solid experience with MS Office Suite and above‑average knowledge of Excel.

Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong analytical and financial analysis capabilities.

Ability to set priorities and manage team priorities.

Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to teach and monitor performance.

Excellent interpersonal and management skills, with strong attention to detail.

Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.

Location:
Gibraltar House – 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports to:
Senior Category Manager, Category Management

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates, including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A market-competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization.

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📌 Category Manager - Food Winnipeg, MB Full-Time Employment 6/12/2026 (Manitoba)
🏢 The North West
📍 Manitoba