Category Management Development Manager

Carlo Noce

Vaughan, Ontario

C: 647-***-**** **********@*****.***

CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Sales Management Business Analytics People Engagement and Vendor Relationships

Grocery Industry Professional with extensive success in Category Management, Procurement, Sales & Budget Management, Retail Audit Management, Inventory Forecasting, Marketing & Advertising, Vendor Relations, and New Store launches.

Sales Management

Vendor Negotiations

Continuous Improvement

Retail Sales Leadership

Store Relationships

Cross-Functional Communication

Account and Contract Management

Business Analytics

Relationship Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PUSATERI’S FINE FOODS 2022 – Present

Category Manager - Grocery, Dairy, frozen, general Merchandise Toronto, Ontario (2022 – Present)

Complete category management of all locations within the company while managing and maintaining strategic development and execution within each department. Direct responsibility for achieving budgeted sales targets and working with stores to help with their specific needs.

Create and implement pricing, promotion, assortment, and shelf schematics for each category, based on detailed analysis of past performance, results, and industry best practices, while staying on top of consumer trends.

Manage the overall margin mix within each department to meet overall margin goals by using a mix of volume-driving pricing and higher price points on non-price sensitive products to create a well-rounded price strategy in line with the overall merchandising strategy.

Devise long-term development strategies for the category and assume responsibility for budget development and revenue for the category. Established course correction strategies on underperforming categories as well as growth opportunities on categories that were showing growth.

Build and maintain effective vendor relationships; negotiate and collaborate with vendors to maximize discounts, rebates, and volume purchases. On-going communication with vendors throughout the year to ensure plans are working and adjust as necessary when needed.

Manage listings, de-listings, and exit strategies by store as needed. Work with Supply Chain to forecast and order initial volumes – both every day as well as seasonal items.

Work with Marketing to help promote key categories and drive new product launches through the various platforms the business has such as social media and e-commerce.

UNITED DAIRY AND GROCERS IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTORS 2019 – 2022

Buyer Category Manager, Brampton, Ontario (2019 – 2022)

Manage and maintain product assortment, vendor negotiations, as well as inventory levels. Provided sales analytics and product information to sales representatives for presenting to customers. Work with vendors to ensure any new product launches are executed through inventory management, promotional support, and store-level merchandising.

LONGO’S 1982 – 2018

Category Manager, Vaughan, Ontario (2004 – 2018)

Complete category management of 6 regions within the company. Managed and maintained category strategic development and execution, as well as product selection, vendor negotiations, and pricing strategies. Direct responsibility for achieving budgeted sales targets, maintaining market share and dollar volume growth, as well as regional P&L. Longo’s is Ontario’s 4th largest grocery retailer with 34 locations and flagship stores at Maple Leaf Square and Leaside. One of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies.

Developed key tactical plans with the collaboration of market data, consumer buying patterns, vendor insights, and internal loyalty programs to maximize assortment, sales, and profits within each category.

Delivered +18% growth in Water and increased sales penetration to 3X the market average by implementing the reduction in Carbonated Beverages while increasing Water sections in all locations. This restructuring of layouts was done to better align with customer and market dynamics and strategic growth objectives.

Created regional sales strategies to align with overall organizational strategies, ensuring market share growth and internal margin expectations year over year were met or exceeded. One of the main regional focus was Italian markets – worked closely with the store management team and key vendors within this market to drive sales, increase margin dollars, and provide assortment critical to the consumer base through merchandising displays, marketing, ad features, and opportunity buys. With team support, was able to drive 7 – 12% YOY growth during specific periods.

Managed implementation of SAP-based system for buying, forecasting, inventory management, replenishment, sales promotion, and vendor portal in Category Management - Hard Goods area.

Provided key stakeholders with direct reports to show how key categories performed. Established course correction strategies on underperforming categories as well as growth opportunities on categories that were showing growth.

Liaised with Corporate Marketing to drive product launches at store levels as well as through e-commerce platforms.

Dairy and Frozen Specialist (1999 – 2004)

Developed, communicated, and implemented merchandising plans and promotions with retail locations and all 34-leadership teams. Provided assistance and direction to Store and Department Managers to ensure that sales and margins were maintained.

Ensured store compliance with departmental goals. Provided insights and suggestions for the implementation of detailed category plans for all of Longo’s locations.

Grew market share of Specialty Eggs to 3X the market share and increased dollar volume by 12% while in the role.

Specialty Milk penetration of category sales grew double digits YOY during this period. This was done by focusing on Premium Milk in all segments across all stores through advertising, planogram rollouts, and product assortment,

Provided ongoing leadership to Dairy Managers to help achieve store budgets by acting as a trusted advisor to apply analytical information to meet targets.

Planogram Implementation Specialist (1996 – 1999)

Promoted from store level to lead the launch of a new Planogram software called INGEN that generated category layouts for all Grocery, Dairy, and Frozen sections. Delivered pre- and post-analysis of each layout to ensure its effectiveness was achieved and that category expectations were met.

Worked with Category Managers to develop layouts based on the necessary required elements for each category. Such metrics as Net Sales Growth, Contribution Margins, Net Profitability, market data, consumer decision tree, as well as customers’ buying patterns and habits were all leveraged.

Led planning and execution activities for multiple category launches through meetings as well as conference calls designed to inform department and territory managers to ensure execution at the store level.

Maintenance of planograms to ensure that computer-assisted orders were functioning correctly to maintain a strong in-stock position at the store level.

Achieved net sales volume growth of 5% - 11% in key priority categories based on post-analysis 6 months after execution of layouts at store level.

ADDITIONAL ROLES AT LONGO’S

Grocery Manager – Glen Erin ( 1994-1996 )

Grocery Manager – Bayview ( 1991-1994 )

Grocery Manager – Oakville ( 1989-1991 )

Dairy and Grocery Manager – Malton ( 1985-1989 )

Grocery Clerk, Part-Time ( 1982-1985 )

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Humber College - Longo’s Sponsored Training including Customer Retention, Vendor Relations, Buying Techniques, Managing Sales, Trade Show Participation ( CFIA, Coffee and Tea Conferences, Tutto Foods Show Italy, Olive Oil Show Chile, Natural Food Shows Anaheim and Fancy Food Show San Francisco )

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite, GOLD Software System, Warehouse Replenishment System, Dayforce, Flyer Planner, Management and maintenance of Vendor Corporate Portals.

Reference Available Upon Request

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