The Opportunity:

Our client is a BC-based operator of a growing chain of convenience stores and gas stations, serving communities across the province with a focus on accessibility, value, and customer experience. With a commitment to offering curated product selections tailored to regional needs, they are entering a critical phase of operational and merchandising optimization.

They are seeking a Manager of Merchandising to lead category strategy, buying, and inventory planning across multiple banners. This individual will play a key role in developing high-performing product assortments, optimizing pricing and promotions, and ensuring operational execution across locations. The ideal candidate brings experience in grocery, fresh, liquor, convenience, or impulse categories, and thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial retail environment.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead end-to-end category management including assortment strategy, vendor negotiations, promotional planning, and space optimization.
• Manage buying and procurement processes across multiple store formats and banners.
• Oversee inventory planning and replenishment strategies to drive sales and minimize shrink, waste, and stockouts.
• Collaborate with store operations and marketing to ensure in-store execution of merchandising plans.
• Analyze sales, margin, and performance data to inform purchasing and category decisions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and distributors, negotiating pricing, terms, and promotional support.
• Stay current on market trends and customer preferences, identifying opportunities to improve assortment and customer experience.
• Ensure regulatory compliance in the procurement and merchandising of liquor and fresh food categories.
• Contribute to margin improvement and gross profit growth through effective SKU rationalization and promotional planning.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, supply chain, and operations to support seasonal and regional planning cycles.

What You'll Need to Be Successful:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in retail merchandising, buying, or category management, ideally in convenience, grocery, liquor, or fuel retail.
• Proven track record managing product categories across multiple store locations and formats.
• Strong analytical and planning skills, with experience using retail data to drive decision-making.
• Experience working with vendors and negotiating pricing and promotions.
• Strong understanding of inventory planning and replenishment strategies, particularly in perishable or fast-moving categories.
• Comfortable in a hands-on, entrepreneurial retail environment with rapid decision-making cycles.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance related to food and liquor retail is an asset.
• Experience with merchandising software, retail systems, and reporting tools.