Vice President, Operations

A&A; Merchandising Ltd.
Greater Toronto Area, Ontario | Full-Time | Senior Leadership
Salary: $100,000–$150,000 per year

A&A; Merchandising Ltd. is seeking an experienced and highly capable Vice President of Operations to join our senior leadership team in the Greater Toronto Area.

Founded in 1994, A&A; Merchandising is a Canadian-owned retail execution company providing national in-store services for leading brands and retailers across Canada. Our programs include merchandising, retail display installations and maintenance, audits, product launches, brand ambassador programs, demonstrations, Costco roadshows, logistics, warehousing and large-scale national retail rollouts.

As A&A; continues to grow, we are looking for a senior operational leader who can take ownership of the company's day-to-day operations, lead our Account Management team, strengthen client relationships and help build the operational structure required for our next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on executive position. The successful candidate will not manage A&A;'s operations exclusively from an office. They will be expected to understand the business at every level—from executive client meetings and operational strategy to warehouses, retail stores, installations and field execution.

The Role

The Vice President of Operations will oversee the successful delivery of A&A;'s client programs across Canada.

You will lead and manage our Account Managers, work closely with our Field Manager and national field organization, oversee major client relationships and ensure that projects move efficiently from client request through planning, logistics, field execution, reporting and completion.

You will also work directly with A&A;'s executive leadership on operations strategy, organizational structure, processes, resource planning and scalable growth.

A key part of this position is maintaining a firsthand understanding of A&A;'s field operations. The VP of Operations will regularly spend time in stores, at installations, in the warehouse and alongside field teams to understand how programs are actually being executed.

Key ResponsibilitiesOperations Leadership

- Take a leadership role in the day-to-day operations of A&A; Merchandising
- Develop and implement operational strategies, processes and standards
- Ensure client programs are properly planned, staffed, executed and reported
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement practical solutions
- Improve internal communication and accountability across departments
- Establish processes that allow A&A; to scale while maintaining execution quality
- Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and profitability
- Lead and participate in regular operational and senior management meetings
- Help establish company priorities and ensure teams remain aligned with them

Account Management Leadership

- Directly manage, mentor and hold accountable A&A;'s Account Management team
- Establish expectations and priorities for Account Managers
- Review account performance and project execution
- Assist Account Managers with complex client and operational issues
- Ensure Account Managers communicate effectively with the Field Manager and national field team
- Conduct regular internal account and operations meetings
- Help recruit, onboard and develop future Account Management talent




- Ensure client programs are properly transitioned from planning into field execution

Client Leadership

- Develop strong relationships with A&A;'s key clients
- Attend and lead in-person client meetings throughout Canada and, when required, internationally
- Participate in presentations, program reviews, planning meetings and strategic discussions
- Oversee client satisfaction and intervene when significant issues arise
- Provide senior-level support for major national programs
- Personally manage selected strategic accounts where appropriate
- Work with clients to understand upcoming programs, operational requirements and growth opportunities
- Support the transition of new business from Business Development into Operations

Hands-On Field Leadership

A&A; believes senior operational leadership must understand what happens in the field firsthand.

The VP of Operations will be expected to:

- Regularly visit retail locations to observe A&A; programs in execution
- Attend important installations, rollouts and product launches
- Work alongside the Field Manager and field representatives when appropriate
- Understand the realities faced by field representatives completing store visits
- Review display installations, merchandising standards and program execution firsthand
- Visit A&A;'s warehouse and understand receiving, inventory, staging, shipping and project preparation
- Participate in major project launches and troubleshoot operational issues on-site
- Travel into different Canadian markets periodically to understand regional field operations
- Use firsthand field experience to improve procedures, training, project planning and client strategy

This is not a desk-only management position. The successful candidate must be willing to get into stores and understand A&A;'s operations from the ground up.

Travel, Client Meetings & Trade Shows

Travel is an important component of this position.

The VP of Operations will represent A&A; at client meetings, project launches, industry events and trade shows throughout Canada and internationally.

Responsibilities include:

- Travelling to meet key clients in person
- Attending major client presentations and business reviews
- Attending national project launches and significant installations
- Representing A&A; at relevant industry trade shows and events
- Meeting existing and prospective partners at trade shows
- Supporting senior leadership at industry events
- Travelling throughout Canada to visit field markets and evaluate operations
- Occasional travel to the United States and other international markets when required

Candidates must be comfortable travelling regularly and have a valid passport.

Required Qualifications

- Significant professional experience in operations, account management, retail execution, field marketing, merchandising, experiential marketing or a related industry
- Previous experience managing professional employees and teams
- Demonstrated experience managing significant client relationships
- Strong understanding of project and operational management




- Excellent leadership and people-management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong financial and commercial understanding
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
- High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other business software
- Ability to manage multiple clients, programs and deadlines simultaneously
- Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership of outcomes
- Willingness to work hands-on in retail and field environments
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly for client meetings, field operations, trade shows and industry events
- Valid driver's licence and reliable transportation
- Valid passport and ability to travel within Canada and internationally
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant senior-level experience

Location Requirement

Candidates must reside in the Greater Toronto Area or be willing to relocate to the GTA.

This is not a fully remote executive position.

While A&A; operates with flexibility, the VP of Operations must be readily available for in-person leadership meetings, client meetings, warehouse operations, store visits, installations and other business activities throughout the GTA.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines executive-level thinking with a hands-on approach to leadership.

A&A; is a fast-moving company. Our clients rely on us to solve problems, adapt quickly and execute programs across Canada. The successful candidate cannot be someone who only manages through meetings, emails and reports.

You should be equally comfortable:

- Leading an executive client meeting
- Managing and developing Account Managers
- Reviewing the operational and financial performance of an account
- Resolving a difficult client issue
- Developing a national operations strategy
- Walking a retail store to inspect an installation
- Working with the Field Manager to solve an execution problem
- Visiting the warehouse to understand why a project is delayed
- Attending a major installation or launch
- Travelling to meet a client or field team
- Representing A&A; professionally at an international trade show

We want a leader who understands that strong operational decisions come from understanding how the business works at every level.

The successful candidate will help bring greater structure, accountability and operational discipline to A&A; while maintaining the flexibility, responsiveness and hands-on approach that have allowed us to successfully serve clients across Canada for more than 30 years.

Compensation

Salary: $100,000–$150,000 per year

Compensation within the range will be based on the successful candidate's experience, leadership background and demonstrated ability to manage complex national operations and client relationships.

Position: Vice President, Operations
Employment: Full-Time
Location: Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
Work Model: Hybrid / In-Person as operationally required
Travel: Regular Canadian and occasional international travel required

A&A; Merchandising Ltd.
Canadian-owned and operated since 1994.

Pay: $100,000.00-$150,000.00 per year

Advantages:

- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Work from home

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Language:

- Mandarin (preferred)
- French (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Etobicoke, ON

📌 Vice President, Operations (Etobicoke)
🏢 A & A Merchandising
📍 Etobicoke