Why Join MECAt MEC, our purpose is to equip people for a lifetime of great outdoor experiences and adventure. Our home is on the trail—and everything we do is grounded in a deep belief in the power of the outdoors to build confidence, connection, and community.What sets MEC apart is our deep expertise, thoughtful product curation, and strong community connection, all focused on serving our members. Our teams bring lived outdoor experience and product knowledge to every interaction, helping members find the right gear and guidance for where they’re going next. We curate products with intention—prioritizing quality, performance, and sustainability—so members can trust what they buy and how it’s made. And we show up in our communities through local partnerships, events, and shared outdoor experiences that extend far beyond our store walls.We’re a people‑first organization, grounded in our values of respect, integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability. Our leaders play a hands‑on role in bringing these values and differentiators to life—building robust teams, leading with care and clarity, and ensuring every decision supports meaningful experiences for our members, our staff, and the places we love to explore.The OpportunityAs the Department Manager, Category, you are a key store leader accountable for driving strong business and member outcomes through effective product category leadership, operational execution, and people leadership.Reporting to the General Manager, you oversee assigned product categories and are responsible for store‑floor assortment, inventory flow, merchandising execution, pricing, and visual standards. You lead and develop teams, partner with the Senior Staff Team, and use business insights to improve sales performance, inventory productivity,



and in‑store execution.What You’ll Be Responsible ForCategory & Merchandising LeadershipLead assigned product categories to deliver a compelling, market‑relevant assortmentExecute merchandising strategies and floor plans in alignment with Support Office directionUse product and sales insights to address performance gaps and capitalize on selling opportunitiesEnsure accurate pricing, signage, and presentation standards to support ease of shopInventory & AvailabilityPartner with ARA teams to secure product based on sell‑through, inventory trends, and store needsDrive consistent replenishment and product availability across assigned categoriesIdentify risks, overstocks, gaps, and opportunities using inventory and sales reportingPeople Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop category teams through training, feedback, and regular check‑insIdentify skill gaps in product knowledge, merchandising, and inventory executionSupport recruitment, onboarding, and performance management in partnership with the General ManagerFoster an inclusive, respectful, and high‑engagement team environmentBusiness & Store OperationsAnalyze category and store performance metrics to drive sales, margin, and inventory productivityBuild business acumen within teams by connecting daily execution to store and category resultsExecute operational, visual merchandising, loss prevention,



and health & safety standardsComplete opening/closing duties and support daily store operations as requiredWhat You Bring1–3 years of leadership experience in a retail or service environment with accountability for category operations and people leadershipStrong operational and business acumen, with the ability to interpret KPIs and translate insights into actionExperience with inventory management, merchandising execution, and retail systems (e.G., OMS, Microsoft D365, ADP)Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams in fast‑paced, operationally complex environmentsStrong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner across store leadership teamsPassion for outdoor activities and the outdoor lifestyle, with the ability to translate that passion into credible product leadershipFlexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as requiredWork EnvironmentThis is an active, hands‑on leadership role requiring regular presence on the sales floor and in back‑of‑house areas. The role includes standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 lbs), and navigating varied store environments while supporting teams and daily operations.Our Commitment to InclusionMEC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive, respectful, and barrier‑free workplace. We value diversity and believe our teams are stronger when everyone feels safe, supported, and able to be themselves at work.SalaryThis posting is intended to backfill an existing role. The anticipated base salary range of this role is $48,100 to $60,200, the exact salary will be dependent on the successful candidate’s relevant skills, experience, qualifications, store location, and internal equity. This role is eligible for a variable annual incentive plan.#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Department Manager, Category - $48,100 - $60,200 A Year (Toronto)
🏢 MEC
📍 Toronto