Category Manager, Sundries

Role Summary

The Category Manager, Sundries will own the sundries business for Canada end to end: assortment strategy, vendor relationships and negotiation, pricing and promotional strategy, and stocking model efficiency. This role provides full category leadership for sundries, working closely with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Marketing to build a disciplined, well-negotiated, and well-merchandised category that supports the broader paint business.

In this role, you will

Assortment & Vendor Management

· Conduct a full assortment deep-dive: product line review (PLR), identification of RFQ opportunities, assortment gaps, and rationalization of underperforming SKUs and categories.

· Own direct vendor negotiation for Canadian and shared North American vendors, sourcing competitive bids and holding vendors accountable to clear category, format, and customer-need parameters

· Review and optimize the stocking model (DC vs. direct-to-store, inventory levels by category) to improve GMROI and operational efficiency.

· Coordinate on national-brand vendor negotiations where shared North American buying power is relevant, while retaining full decision authority over Canadian assortment and go-to-market strategy.

Pricing & Promotional Strategy

· Direct promotional strategy for sundries, including competitive shop analysis, and determine where the business should run EDLP pricing versus deeper promotional mechanics, by store format and customer segment (DIY walk-in, residential repaint, Pro).

· Collaborate with the paint marketing team to align sundries promotional content with broader marketing and promotional efforts, including flyers, POP, and in-store communication.

· Monitor price realization and margin capture by pricing mechanism and recommend adjustments to protect margin as vendor costs change.

Reporting & Performance

· Establish and maintain category-level reporting on assortment performance, vendor scorecards, margin, and promotional effectiveness.

· Track and report on planogram currency across sundries categories, prioritizing categories with outdated assortments.

· Provide regular updates to the Director, Product Management, and collaborate with Sales leadership on category performance and field execution.

What we are looking for:

· 5+ years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising, ideally in a retail, building materials, or specialty hardgoods environment.

· Demonstrated experience negotiating directly with vendors on cost, terms, and promotional funding.

· Strong analytical skills; comfortable working with assortment, margin, and inventory data to make and defend recommendations.

· Experience with planogram development and in-store merchandising standards is an asset.

· Ability to work cross-functionally and build alignment across Sales, Operations, Finance, and Marketing, without needing a large team to do so.

· Comfortable operating with significant ownership; this is an individual-contributor role with broad category authority rather than a large direct-report structure.

· Bilingual (English/French) an asset given the Canadian market.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive health and dental benefits available from your first day
• $550 annual Health Spending Account for eligible health and dental expenses
• 24/7 telemedicine services for employees and eligible dependents
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) providing confidential, 24/7 support for employees and their families
• Paid vacation, and wellness days for eligible employees
• Paid statutory holidays days
• Flexible Hybrid model
• Growth path-learning budget

Compensation

Compensation for this role is determined based on factors such as location, market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate's experience and qualifications. In addition to salary, full-time permanent employees are eligible for our broader total rewards package, which includes comprehensive benefits, including paid vacation and wellness days, as well as other incentives for eligible employees.

The estimated salary for this role will be within the following range: $85000– $100000 CAD annually.

Candidates whose compensation expectations fall outside of the posted range are still encouraged to apply. We recognize that each candidate brings unique skills and experience, and compensation will be discussed throughout the recruitment process.

About Us

For over a century, Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) has been a trusted leader in paints and coatings, serving homeowners and professionals across Canada. With local manufacturing in Ontario, offices in Vaughan and Boucherville, and a coast-to-coast distribution network, CIL combines national scale with strong local expertise. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Dulux®, SICO®, Glidden®, Olympic®, and Mulco®, trusted across both retail and professional channels. As we accelerate our next phase of growth and transformation, this is a unique opportunity to join a proudly Canadian company and help shape the future of Canada’s Paint Company.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

At Canadian Industries Limited (CIL), we are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities free from discrimination.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know. Accommodation requests will be handled confidentially and respectfully. We look forward to reviewing your application!