About Us
Founded in 1916, Kohl & Frisch Limited has a solid reputation in the healthcare industry that distinguishes it as the only national, Canadian-owned and operated wholesale distributor. A family-owned company, it is one of Canada’s leading national distributors and is the essential link between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers. Kohl & Frisch is fully equipped to service large chain retailers, independent pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals for all their Rx, OTC, home healthcare, and front shop needs.

About the Role
The Category Specialist works with the Category Manager to support, develop, and maintain quality manufacturer relationships and seamless daily operations within the team. In addition, the Category Specialist is responsible for maintaining business relationships with vendors in the pharmaceutical retail marketplace. The Category Specialist will have a thorough understanding and extensive knowledge of their assigned vendors and Kohl & Frisch’s (K&F;’s) partnership details.

What will you do?

Working extensively with multiple departments, the Category Specialist takes ownership of day-to-day processes, such as, but not limited to: new vendor negotiation and setup, customer inquiries, return policy review and follow-up

Acts as the first point of contact for K&F;’s vendor partners

Contributes to development of a strategy for the category with a goal to maximize revenue, efficiency, and profitability for assigned vendors. Identifies areas of opportunity and develops action plans to capitalize on those opportunities and generate additional revenue for the company.

Promotes use of K&F;’s distribution network and services to all vendors, as assigned

Promotes and supports K&F;’s service programs to drive revenues, build partnerships, and create efficiencies

In consultation with the Category Manager, coordinates resolution to various problems and issues that may arise with assigned vendors and internal departments within K&F;, ensuring root cause analysis is performed and corrective actions are in place to resolve the issues permanently; this includes collaborating with the involved internal departments and external organizations, and challenging existing assumptions

Leads the execution of established programs and initiatives

Ensures that management is kept informed, making certain that issues outside of scope are escalated in a timely manner

Participates in regular and detailed business reviews with all assigned vendors to identify areas for improved service, efficiency, profitability, and growth. Coordinates the meeting schedules, prepares analysis of key performance metrics, and ensures follow-up with summary of meeting minutes.

Collaborates with Category Manager to keep current and provide regular updates on industry activity

Reviews all new product submissions to determine their viability for listing at K&F; for assigned vendors

Working with Inventory Management, collaborates closely with vendor to forecast initial purchase quantities and provide direction to the Inventory Management group for the ongoing management of the purchasing process

Negotiates terms and conditions of the business relationship between K&F; and its vendors, as assigned

Be the subject matter expert for the assigned categories with respect to market intelligence, product knowledge, and inventory control





What you bring

University degree, preferably in business an asset

3+ years of experience in a fast-paced and/or progressive role in vendor relations

A solid understanding of the pharmaceutical and OTC market is an asset

Good negotiating, problem-solving and analytical skills

The ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, results-orientated environment

Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with vendors

Excellent time-management skills; the ability to manage multiple priorities under limited supervision

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics considered an asset

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Detail oriented with strong organizational skills

About Us
Founded in 1916, Kohl & Frisch Limited has a solid reputation in the healthcare industry that distinguishes it as the only national, Canadian-owned and operated wholesale distributor. A family-owned company, it is one of Canada’s leading national distributors and is the essential link between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers. Kohl & Frisch is fully equipped to service large chain retailers, independent pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals for all their Rx, OTC, home healthcare, and front shop needs.

About the Role
The Category Specialist works with the Category Manager to support, develop, and maintain quality manufacturer relationships and seamless daily operations within the team. In addition, the Category Specialist is responsible for maintaining business relationships with vendors in the pharmaceutical retail marketplace. The Category Specialist will have a thorough understanding and extensive knowledge of their assigned vendors and Kohl & Frisch’s (K&F;’s) partnership details.

What will you do?

Working extensively with multiple departments, the Category Specialist takes ownership of day-to-day processes, such as, but not limited to: recent vendor negotiation and setup, customer inquiries, return policy review and follow-up

Acts as the first point of contact for K&F;’s vendor partners

Contributes to development of a strategy for the category with a goal to maximize revenue, efficiency, and profitability for assigned vendors. Identifies areas of opportunity and develops action plans to capitalize on those opportunities and generate additional revenue for the company.

Promotes use of K&F;’s distribution network and services to all vendors, as assigned

Promotes and supports K&F;’s service programs to drive revenues, build partnerships, and create efficiencies

In consultation with the Category Manager, coordinates resolution to various problems and issues that may arise with assigned vendors and internal departments within K&F;,



ensuring root cause analysis is performed and corrective actions are in place to resolve the issues permanently; this includes collaborating with the involved internal departments and external organizations, and challenging existing assumptions

Leads the execution of established programs and initiatives

Ensures that management is kept informed, making certain that issues outside of scope are escalated in a timely manner

Participates in regular and detailed business reviews with all assigned vendors to identify areas for improved service, efficiency, profitability, and growth. Coordinates the meeting schedules, prepares analysis of key performance metrics, and ensures follow-up with summary of meeting minutes.

Collaborates with Category Manager to keep current and provide regular updates on industry activity

Reviews all new product submissions to determine their viability for listing at K&F; for assigned vendors

Working with Inventory Management, collaborates closely with vendor to forecast initial purchase quantities and provide direction to the Inventory Management group for the ongoing management of the purchasing process

Negotiates terms and conditions of the business relationship between K&F; and its vendors, as assigned

Be the subject matter expert for the assigned categories with respect to market intelligence, product knowledge, and inventory control

What you bring

University degree, preferably in business an asset

3+ years of experience in a quick-paced and/or progressive role in vendor relations

A solid understanding of the pharmaceutical and OTC market is an asset

Valuable negotiating, problem-solving and analytical skills

The ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, results-orientated environment

Excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with vendors

Excellent time-management skills; the ability to manage multiple priorities under limited supervision

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics considered an asset

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Detail oriented with strong organizational skills

What’s in it for you?
This position offers a salary range of $58,000 – $67,500, exclusive of discretionary bonus eligibility and our full benefits package. The final salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined by factors including location, relevant experience, skill level and education.

Additional Compensation (if applicable)

Bonus or commission structure

Pension Plan (eligibility after 18 months service)

Benefits

Health, dental, vision after 3 months

Personal Days

Employee Assistance Program

Chance for Professional Development

Wellness programs

Vacation Pay

Exclusive memberships and discounts

As part of our recruitment process, we may use AI for initial screening and assisting in evaluating candidate qualifications. All final hiring decisions will be made by our recruitment team.

Kohl & Frisch would like to thank all applicants for their interest. All applicants who received interviews will receive an update on their application status within 45 days of applying. We value your interest in joining our team and strive to provide a timely, transparent hiring experience.

Kohl & Frisch Limited welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and provides accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

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📌 Category Specialist (Ontario)
🏢 Kohl & Frisch
📍 Ontario