Overview:

As a Category Specialist – Cheese Operations, you are responsible for executing merchandising strategies, product assortment, pricing, promotions, and inventory management to maximize sales and profitability. This role ensures that the cheese category reflects customer demand, maintains strong supplier relationships, and delivers a high-quality shopping experience. Additionally, you will provide continuous support and assistance to the IGA and Fresh St.

Market

Cheese departments, focusing on standards, merchandising, and overall operational guidance to enhance efficiency, profitability, and the customer experience. You will be required to assist in the Deli or other Fresh departments, as directed.

Scope of Authority

As a Category Specialist – Cheese Operations, you report directly to the Category Manager, Deli Operations.

Key Responsibilities

- Curating Cheese Department selection by keeping abreast of industry trends, identifying new items, and understanding customer preferences.
- Development of product assortment strategy to drive revenue using sales trends, customer demographics and competitor knowledge.
- Coaching and supporting Cheese teams in IGA and Fresh St. Market in day-to-day operations, achieving targets, and fostering an environment of continuous improvement, knowledge, service excellence, and enthusiasm within the cheese department.
- Implementing new programs and supporting employees through learning curves
- Implementing merchandising, promotional assortment, and pricing strategies and supporting the Cheese teams in our banner stores with execution
- Providing workforce support to stores as required (Deli & Cheese).

Breadth of Responsibilities

Department Operations Support

- Complete a full walk-through of each store’s Cheese department periodically, including a review of product displays, temperature checks, due dates, shrink reports, pricing, adequate program implementation, the efficiency of operations and processes, adherence to health and safety policies, and overall department appearance.
- Verify pricing during promotions and post-promotions; communicate the need for correct signage if required.
- Implement and monitor program directives; advise Department Manager/Leader and Store Manager/Leader of any compliance issues.
- Provide operational information to assigned Department Managers/Leaders as requested (new price files, forms, price tags, etc.)
- Support the setup of new Cheese departments by creating a product assortment plan and schematic, ordering equipment/tools, and providing operational support.
- Maintain awareness of all local, provincial, and federal law provisions related to labelling and packaging requirements to ensure compliance.
- Conduct continuous research and learning about department policies, procedures, and products and utilize the information for training and staff development.
- Perform department management duties to cover key store absences, as required.
- Assist with customer service, including product inquiries,



pairing suggestions, and specialty orders.

Training and Mentorship

- At the conclusion of each store visit, discuss walk-through findings and recommendations with the Department and Store Manager/Leader to improve department operations.
- Identify knowledge and/or skill gaps with department staff and work with Store Leaders to establish training and development plans to address opportunities.
- Regularly review department financial fundamentals with Cheese Leaders and provide ongoing support with tracking gross profit, understanding budgets, building sales and how decisions can negatively or positively impact the department’s gross profit.
- Introduce inventory practices to department leadership and provide ongoing support as needed to build positive habits and reinforce learnings. Ensure training is provided in advance of inventory and continue to support the trainee until you are confident that they are executing procedures correctly. Conduct check-ins after each period end to ensure accurate counts and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Provide training for department clerks, Fromagers, and leaders on Cheese Department operations, including merchandising, cutting & wrapping, and proper handling and labelling procedures.
- Periodically conduct training and information sessions for stores to enhance their knowledge of products, including their origins, history, attributes, flavour profiles, and pairings.

Product Display and Purchasing Management · Ensure cheese varieties are cut to spec based on product type and are wrapped according to brand standards, label requirements, and pack sizes to facilitate sales.

· Partner with vendors and suppliers to secure product availability, negotiate deals, and coordinate promotions to ensure the Cheese departments in our banner stores are best in class.

· Processing, or assisting in the processing, of the annual CETA Cheese of All Types TRQ Allocation application.

· Monitor pre-booked and specialty product offerings to identify missed or short orders and ensure pricing is correct. Liaise with Store Leadership as necessary to provide direction and/or assist in investigating and resolving vendor-related shipment and billing errors. Monitor vendor credits to ensure the accuracy of record-keeping.

· Determine weekly and/or monthly features for the Cheese Department, considering seasonal preferences, sell-through rates, and display and storage availability. Establish sale prices based on gross profit targets.

· Review proof of weekly advertising for feature item accuracy; provide corrections as necessary.





· Strategically merchandise products (high impulse buys, product mix, seasonal items, etc.) and provide department Plan-O-grams to designated Department Manager/Leader, assist with implementation if needed

· Audit item movement reports, determining SKU rationalization strategies

· Audit the use of current order guides, including regular par updates.

Cost Strategy Management

- Monitor item movement utilizing Power BI to ensure par quantities are sufficient based on SKU sales and identify gaps or missed sales due to product shortages; offer recommendations to the Department and Store Manager/Leader to minimize shrink.
- Review department shortage reports, shrink sheets, and inventory results to control spoilage and ensure sampling follows department guidelines.

· Identify slow-moving or seasonal items and recommend markdowns or promotional strategies.
- Coach Department Leader/Manager on best practices for forecasting product demand as needed.
- Conduct quarterly competitor price checks and communicate information to the Category Manager and/or Director of Fresh Programs.
- Assist in data maintenance, as needed.

Qualifications: · Minimum 5 years’ retail grocery experience in management capacity and/or equal expertise in operational execution in a quality standards assurance environment.

· Strong understanding of category management principles, retail merchandising, and inventory control.

· Ability to analyze sales data, utilize critical thinking skills to solve problems, develop solutions and make strategic recommendations.

· Extensive knowledge of British Columbia food safety laws, requirements, and company practices, including cheese quotas.

· Subject matter expertise on a wide assortment of cheese products and accompaniments with a solid understanding of Cheese department operations, marketing, and sales principles.

· Excellent communication and organizational skills.

· Demonstrated leadership and time management skills.

· Ability to travel regularly to multiple stores, both local and out-of-town.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) and retail inventory systems.

· Physical requirements: ability to lift up to 40 lbs, stand for extended periods, bend, reach, and move product as required, and comfortable working in cold environments (ie: refrigerated cases).

We look forward to discussing the specific compensation details for this role with candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process.

#INDGM

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Perks

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:
- Burnaby, BC V5C 6G9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):
- Travel is required for this position, do you currently hold a valid driver's license?

Experience:
- Grocery Leadership: 5 years (required)

Willingness to travel:
- 50% (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Category Specialist - Cheese Operations (Burnaby)
🏢 Georgia Main Food Group
📍 Burnaby