Introduction

Protein Category Manager

Amherst, Nova Scotia

What are you going to do 

Responsibilities

Communication & Relationship Management

  • Act as the main divisional liaison with category management, marketing, sales, and vendor partners.
  • Communicate division-specific KPIs, category performance insights, and market needs.
  • Build strong partnerships with sales and marketing through regular updates, ride-alongs, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Provide timely product and vendor communications including new items, discontinuations, supply issues, and pricing changes.

Sales & Marketing Support

  • Deliver actionable, relevant product insights to divisional sales and marketing teams.
  • Support execution of category initiatives, product life-cycle activities, and vendor strategies.
  • Provide analysis and resolution related to product inquiries or customer concerns.

Category Management

  • Execute North American category strategies within the division.
  • Implement go-to-market plans tailored to divisional needs.
  • Support slot management, product sourcing, and division-wide merchandising activities.
  • Provide division-specific analytics and recommendations aimed at achieving sales, margin, and brand objectives.

Vendor & Broker Management

  • Serve as the primary contact for regional supplier and broker partners.
  • Lead vendor/broker business reviews and align strategies to divisional goals.
  • Maintain vendor & broker activity in the CRM and monitor partnership performance.
  • Solicit internal feedback on broker engagement and ensure alignment across all stakeholders.

Cost, Pricing & Supply Chain Support

  • Provide divisional cost/price feedback to Category and Revenue Management.
  • Communicate supply chain disruptions and resolution plans to sales and marketing.
  • Support category teams in managing slot allocations and resolving aging inventory issues.

Continuous Learning & Market Expertise

  • Maintain strong knowledge of market trends, category developments, and product innovations.
  • Leverage internal data, external insights, and customer feedback to guide decision-making.
  • Attend trainings, supplier visits, conferences, and seminars to enhance product and industry knowledge.

Canada-Specific: Centre of Plate (Protein) Responsibilities

  • Execute protein sourcing plans to meet divisional sales, margin, and brand goals.
  • Maintain a competitive and relevant product portfolio using a mix of sourcing solutions (national partners, strategic alliances, specialty suppliers).
  • Manage high-risk inventory, large buys, and supplier negotiations in partnership with procurement and category management.
  • Lead full product life-cycle management for protein items, including sourcing, introductions, and discontinuations.

Essential skills and knowledge

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field required.
  • Bilingual English/French preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years of product/category knowledge, merchandising, or marketing experience.
  • Experience working with vendors, brokers, and cross-functional commercial teams.
  • Strong financial acumen (margin, pricing, freight) and analytical skills.
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and analytics tools (Excel, reporting platforms).
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creative problem-solver with strong critical-thinking skills.
  • High attention to detail with excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
  • Ability to influence others and collaborate across departments.
  • Comfortable working evenings/weekends as needed based on business demands.
  • Regular interaction with customers (15%) and suppliers/brokers (30%).
  • Role is primarily office-based with minimal physical demands.

What we offer 

What We Offer

Why apply through Brunel? Finding the next step in your career can be a fulltime job in itself. We manage the process for you: from submitting your resume to coordinating interviews to extending offers and assisting with on-boarding. We'll get you going while you get on with the job.

About Us

Brunel has a reputation for working with some of the best in the business. That's what we continually strive for. Over 45 years, we've created a global network of interesting clients and talented individuals working together through a vast array of services.

Closing: 28 December 2026

Apply Now

Are you the perfect match for this vacancy? Apply in 5 minutes and let's get in touch!

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Process of your application

Application process & contact

We will now begin examining your application: We will take a close look at your application documents and ask you for additional information if necessary. If your qualifications match our requirements, we will invite you to meet us for the first time.

Project discussion with our customer

If the introductory meeting goes well for you and us, we will arrange a meeting with the customer who has the perfect project for you. This gives you the opportunity to find out more about the customer and the project.

The decision

If you enjoyed the project discussion and the customer is also convinced of your expertise, we will ask you the final and decisive question: Do you want to get started at Brunel?

Introductory conversation with Brunel

In an introductory meeting, we would like to find out more about your interests, ambitions and professional developments. At the same time, we report on working at Brunel and provide information about all career opportunities and prospects.

Welcome to Brunel

Now great times are beginning! With Brunel you have countless opportunities to help shape technological progress. You decide how your career path goes. We support you in every phase of your career. You always have security behind you: Brunel!