Category Manager

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line, Zero Waste company, we are proudly manufacturing nutritious, 'better-for-you" snacks known as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We're on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you'll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain - and yes, it will get rough. But that's what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let's tackle the climb together. Join us as our Category Manager

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary:
We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager to join our growing team at Riverside Natural Foods. Reporting to the Director of Sales Strategy, this role will focus on enhancing Riverside's analytical capabilities, driving category performance, and making data-driven assortment recommendations that align with consumer trends and business objectives. The Category Manager will work closely with the US Sales Team and internal partners in innovation, marketing, and sales to deliver actionable insights and drive category growth.

This role will be customer-facing, providing key retailer partners with shopper, consumer, and syndicated insights to support long-term growth. The Category Manager will participate in strategic line reviews and customer meetings, leading U.S. retailer strategies by utilizing SPINS analysis, category management processes, planogram development for best-in-class shelving, and omnichannel digital insights to maximize shopper and category conversion.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Uphold Riverside's Values in all aspects of work.
• Lead the ongoing analysis of category trends and tactics, creating retailer-specific category overviews, reviews, sell decks, assortment analyses, and promotional evaluations.
• Collaborate with sales teams to develop tailored category plans that address customer needs and drive account-specific growth strategies.
• Utilize data analytics tools and POS data to track category and customer performance, analyze trends, and provide actionable insights for strategic planning.
• Conduct consumer research to understand shopping behaviors and preferences, leveraging these insights to optimize assortments and enhance the in-store and online shopping experience.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, including suppliers and retailers, to align and drive category initiatives. Provide input on SKU prioritization in collaboration with marketing.
• Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales growth and expand market share. Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and consumer insights to uncover growth opportunities.
• Oversee product life cycle management, including innovation, pricing, and promotional strategies. Ensure successful product launches through cross-functional collaboration and rigorous KPI setting.
• Leverage POS data to generate deeper insights on performance, such as source of volume, trial and repeat rates, and share-of-shelf.
• Create scorecarding and dashboarding to drive more data integration across the organization.
• Handle ad hoc analysis requests as needed.

Reporting Relationship:
The Category Manager reports to the Director of Sales Planning and Strategy.

Education & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 5-8 years of experience in category management or a related role within the CPG industry.
• Planogramming experience is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, Excel, Power BI/Tableau, JDA Prospace).
• Experience with pricing, promotion, and product assortment strategies.

Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Strong category management expertise with a proven track record of developing and executing strategic plans that drive growth.
• Advanced data analytics skills with the ability to interpret complex data and extract actionable insights.
• Proficiency in omnichannel retail strategies, including physical and digital shelf optimization.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork abilities, with a focus on achieving common goals.
• Effective communicator with strong presentation skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-starter with a results-driven mindset, high initiative, flexibility, and tenacity.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You'll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life's too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don't enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We're still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we'll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process - fast! - while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we're okay with that, as long as we're staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We're a flat organization with few silos which means you'll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don't be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn't - like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We'll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can't always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we're all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don't cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren't obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We're a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don't brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn't one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There's more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the subject line Category Manager or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.