Associate Category Manager - 14 Months - Jobs in Toronto, Ontario

Job Description

Job DescriptionThe Associate Category Manager is accountable for creating and implementing the vision, strategy and direction for the specific category within the total category portfolio as well as supporting and executing the overall portfolio product and category strategy.KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

• Sales, Profit and Inventory Targets
• Effective management of Open to Buy and Forecasting
• Effective management of Merchandising Calendar and Inventory Position
• Positive Consumer response and brand-appropriate product selection
• Store Support ticket resolution

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIESFunctional

• Develop and execute category strategies to meet and exceed sales, margin and inventory goals.
• Build a compelling assortment of private-brand and national brand products for Indigo and Indigo.ca.
• Effectively manage the Open to Buy budget and item-level demand forecasting
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to successfully launch and execute category strategic goals.
• Manage diverse vendor network, building strong relationships and favourable terms, requiring strong negotiation skills.

• Seek out and identify new opportunities to grow and expand the category by benchmarking the competition and finding new categories, products and best practices.
• Ensure the completion of team deliverables and set/adhere to team budgets, as applicable
• Act as an advocate for the customer by placing them at the forefront of all design and decision-making processes.
• Attend trade shows to identify new products, research product development and/or design of products as required.
• Proactively identify and anticipate customer expectations and needs
• Challenge the status quo and consistently identify areas for improvement, diagnose issues and work to resolve them

People

• Bring out the best in others, empower and constructively stretch talent
• Give authentic feedback on performance and potential
• Collaborate with others to drive flexible and iterative solutions, quickly and easily
• Share technical knowledge with others and actively seek to learn from those more knowledgeable than yourself
• Help others see the impacts of their efforts and proactively engage other functions to get input
• Encourage others to freely share their point of view and be open to feedback

Cultural

• Act as an advocate for the customer by placing them at the forefront of all design and decision-making processes
• Challenge the status quo and consistently identify areas for improvement, diagnose issues and working to resolve them
• Model Indigo’s beliefs and convey a positive image in everything you do
• Celebrate diversity of thought and have an open mindset
• Take an active role in fostering a culture of continual learning, taking risks without the fear of making mistakes
• Embrace, champion and influence change through your team and/or the organization

SCOPEReports to: Category Manager or Category Director.Manager once Removed (MOR): Category Director or Category VPKEY RELATIONSHIPSInternal:

• Planning Managers and Assistant Planning Managers
• Stores and Retail Operations
• Creative Studio
• Product Development and Design
• Visual Merchandising and Store Design
• Supply Chain, Logistics, and Distribution Centre
• Marketingamp; Online

External:

• Vendors