We are seeking an ambitious, results-driven Category Manager for Digital Imaging & Drones to own and elevate one of our most agile product lines. In this strategic corporate role, you will be the driving force behind our vendor relationships, product selection, pricing strategies, and omnichannel promotional campaigns for cameras, lenses, action cams, aerial drones, and content-creation gear.

Position

Digital Imaging & Drone Category Manager:

Digital Cameras • Lenses • Drones • Gimbals • Action Cameras • Creator Products & Accessories

Reports to: Purchasing Division Manager

Location: Calgary, AB

Department: Merchandising / Purchasing

Role Purpose The Digital Imaging & Drone Category Manager is responsible for the strategy, purchasing, profitability, inventory, vendor relationships and growth of the company's digital camera, drone and creator-product categories.

This person would essentially Manage the business for the category — deciding what products to carry, how much to buy, manage supplier weekly pricing, which vendors to partner with, and how to grow both sales and gross profit.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy

- Develop annual category sales and profit plans.
- Identify emerging products, technologies and consumer trends.
- Determine assortment by store, channel and customer segment.
- Build the right mix of entry-level, enthusiast and premium products.
- Identify opportunities to expand into accessories and higher-margin attachments.

Purchasing & Vendor Management

- Negotiate pricing, rebates, MDF, freight, terms and promotional support.
- Develop strategic relationships with manufacturers and distributors.
- Manage purchase orders, forecasts and product launches.




- Negotiate exclusives and special buys where possible.
- Monitor vendor performance and resolve supply issues.

Profitability

- Own category gross margin and inventory productivity.
- Analyze sales, margin dollars, sell-through and inventory turns.
- Identify aged/slow-moving inventory early.
- Develop clearance and liquidation strategies.
- Maximize vendor funding and promotional dollars.

Digital Cameras

- DSLR/mirrorless cameras
- Lenses
- Action cameras
- Point-and-shoot / compact cameras
- Memory cards
- Batteries and chargers
- Camera bags
- Tripods
- Lighting
- Microphones
- Creator/vlogging equipment

Drones

- Consumer drones
- Camera drones
- FPV
- Batteries and charging
- Propellers and replacement parts
- Cases and accessories
- Gimbals
- DJI and competing brands
- Emerging drone technology

Retail & E-Commerce

- Determine appropriate assortment by store.
- Work with e-commerce to optimize online assortment.
- Create promotional calendars around launches and key selling periods.
- Develop bundles to increase average transaction value.
- Work with marketing on flyers, digital campaigns and vendor-funded promotions.

Requirements

- Purchasing, merchandising and or category-management experience.
- Strong understanding of consumer electronics.
- Proven vendor negotiation experience.
- Strong Excel/data-analysis skills.
- Understanding of inventory turns, GMROI, gross margin and sell-through.
- Strong commercial instincts.

Highly Preferred

- Camera industry experience.
- Drone experience.
- Existing manufacturer/distributor relationships.
- Experience with DJI, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, GoPro, Insta360, etc.
- Experience buying both hardware and accessories.
- E-commerce merchandising experience.

📌 Digital Imaging & Drone Category Manager (Calgary)
🏢 Visions Electronics
📍 Calgary