This position will provide support all brand program development activities including product development, sourcing, negotiating and marketing of our Private & Exclusive brands. You will be responsible to grow brand share to increase customer loyalty and Private Brand financial performance. As an internal brand leader, you will provide guidance to teams and champion our Private Brands, aligning with our company culture and goals.
Responsibilities
- Develop & manage a strategic portfolio of new products/programs and supplier partners. This includes all food, wine spirits beer, community naturals and any future business exclusive opportunities.
- Build strategic relationships with supplier partners, wholesalers and creative design agencies ensuring necessary qualifications are met including legal, government and regulatory.
- Develop and source new products/programs to align with our brand strategies, negotiate all costs, terms, ultimately owning all financials. Includes domestic and global sourcing.
- Create economic business cases for new products/programs. Align with internal teams and execute with excellence.
- Lead the direction on package art design process.
- Manage supplier strategic relationships and tactics re: brand strategy, consumer trends, formulations, cost of goods, exit and transition plans. Seek out contingency suppliers.
- Collaborate with internal teams on planning, executing and growing our Private Brand and exclusive programs share, performance and loyalty.
- Drive the overall strategy short and long term to align with corporate goals.
- Ensure legal compliance, document governance and contracts are finalized.
- Drive the annual development plan addressing trends in innovation, seasonality, sustainability, assortment gaps, competition, unique points of difference and financial results.
- Set growth targets and plans to achieve targets.
2. Collaborate to ensure all new products and costs are accurately reflected in the internal systems and channeled through the merchandising group to execute upon.
- Critical Path project oversite and on time launch tracking.
- Project management end-to-end.
- Governance documentation for all activities.
- New supplier and product/program onboarding as per internal processes.
3. Lead collaboration with merchandising and marketing to support the promotion and building of new product/program Private Brand sales, share, profit and customer loyalty.
4. Lead the development and creation of brand marketing campaigns with marketing team.
5. Provide leadership and direction while upholding confidentiality in all lines of business including the administration of the policies and procedures for the company.
6. Participate in the development and action of yearly competency performance work plan(s) and development action plan(s).
7. Provide leadership in the areas of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), including participate in HSE activities, ensuring employees are knowledgeable about and comply with HSE policies, procedures and legislation, assist in identifying unhealthy, unsafe situations and ensure corrective action is taken.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Post Secondary – General studies.
- 2 years managing Private Brand programs-ideally in Food Beverage within Grocery, Mass or Drug channels.
- 2 years managing category development, supplier management with strong financial acumen.
- Previous experience developing new products/programs and creative designs.
- Project management experience.
- Strong communicator with team leadership & coaching skills.
- Highly organized; able to thrive in a fast paced and innovative environment.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Post Secondary - Business Management or Food Science related.
- 3 – 5 years in Private Brand, Category, or Business management retail.
- Strong financial acumen to develop and gain alignment on business plans.
- Negotiating and strategic partner building.
- Global sourcing experience.
- Project lead excellence.
- Creativity in design and innovation.
- People leadership experience.
Calgary Co-op has excellent opportunities for increasing levels of responsibility, personal growth and challenge. We offer competitive wages, paid vacation, employee discounts, a recognition program, social committee events, employee and family assistance plan, as well numerous training and development programs.
About Calgary Co-op
Calgary Co-op has been proudly serving the community since 1956, when it opened its first store with local farmers and ranchers to provide fresh, farm-to-table foods. Headquartered in Calgary and owned by over 456,000 members, it’s one of North America’s largest retail co-operatives, with 3,530 employees, $757 million in assets, and $1.3 billion in annual sales. We operate food centres, pharmacies, gas stations, car washes, home health care centres, wine, spirits and beer stores, and cannabis stores across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore. We also own Community Natural Foods, Willow Park Wines & Spirits and Beacon Pharmacy. Committed to sourcing locally whenever possible, from Calgary, Alberta, and Western Canada, the organization helps connect consumers with the producers behind their food. Calgary Co-op continues to expand its local offerings while focusing on quality and community support, earning recognition by the Canadian Grocer’s 2024 Impact Awards for our commitment to sustainability & supporting employees.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those applicants considered for an interview will be contacted.
