Protein Category Manager
Canada, Nova Scotia, Amherst
Experience: 4-6 Years
Food Production
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.
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Application process
First Contact
We carefully review your application and in the coming weeks, you will be notified for an interview session if you are selected. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 7 days.
Scheduling an Interview
After being shortlisted, you will be contacted via email or telephone to arrange for a date on your availability for the qualification interview.
Phone/ Qualification Interview
During the interview, you will be assessed on your level of experience and skills, work history, availability, and the qualifications the company is seeking for the position.
Meeting in Real Life
After successfully making through the phone interview, a face to face interview will be scheduled between the candidate and recruiter. This session can be a more in-depth interview to review your communication and interpersonal skills.
Application for the Position
Submission of candidates resume for client’s approval and screening.
Are you the perfect match for this vacancy? Apply in 1 minute and let's get in touch!
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