JOIN OUR TEAM!

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, our mission is simple: to make our customer’s lives a little easier everyday. You may have already stopped for coffee, refueling your car, or eating something on the go. Then, you know what Couche-Tard/Circle K is. We have grown into a successful global company with over 16,000 stores in 29 countries, serving almost 9 million customers every day. In total, more than 150,000 people work in our stores and offices. We make journeys easier by offering fast and friendly service. We care about our people and our communities, and we look for ways to uplift people first. Wherever your journey’s going, we can help you get there.   Are you ready to grow your career? Let's grow together!

THE ROLE

The Category Manager for Packed Beverages will lead the development and implementation of category strategies to maximize profitability and market share within the packed beverage segment. This role is responsible for local supplier selection, pricing optimization, product assortment, and planogram execution to enhance sales and customer satisfaction. Working closely with national and business area teams, the Category Manager ensures that category plans align with company objectives and supports operational efficiency in-store. Additionally, this position may provide direction to Junior Category Managers or other merchandising staff and collaborate cross-functionally on strategic initiatives.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Excited to embark on a journey with us? Here's a breakdown of the key responsibilities in this role:

• Develops and executes an annual business plan for packed beverages, establishing strategic roles and positioning for various beverage subcategories.

• Sets and monitors gross margins and projects annual sales volumes for existing and new beverage products, ensuring alignment with corporate and financial goals.

• Selects local vendors for packed beverages, negotiates pricing and terms, and maintains productive relationships to drive quality and cost efficiency.

• Conducts product evaluations, supporting trials of new beverage offerings; tracks performance and provides recommendations based on data insights.

• Determines local pricing strategies and competitive pricing for the assigned category, conducting regular price analysis and adjusting as needed.

• Collaborates with national and business area teams to develop promotional plans that optimize sales and highlight seasonal or special offerings within the beverage category.

• Manages the assortment for packed beverages, including product selection, placement, item deletions, and overall category layout to ensure a well-rounded, competitive, and customer-focused selection.

• Oversees the execution of planograms and resets for the beverage aisle, coordinating with third-party vendors and store teams for consistent implementation.

• Partners with store operations teams to support the successful execution of beverage programs, including in-store merchandising and promotional setups.

• Coordinates with the training department to ensure that all packed beverage products meet company standards for quality, freshness, and food safety compliance.

• Analyzes sales performance, market trends, and consumer preferences within the packed beverage category, using insights to make data-driven adjustments to assortment, pricing, and marketing efforts.

• Prepares monthly category reports that detail sales performance, out-of-stock trends, zero sales, and other key metrics for actionable insights.

• Maintains strong partnerships with local and national beverage vendors, providing guidance and resolving concerns to ensure mutually beneficial relationships.

• Secures and administers vendor rebates and allowances, reconciling quarterly to ensure financial accountability and accurate reporting.

• Participates in national pilot projects and testing initiatives related to packed beverages, providing feedback and results to influence broader rollout decisions.

• Engages with business area and national teams to support special category initiatives and contributes to company-wide goals by meeting key financial and operational targets.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

We want you to join our team! Here's what we're looking for:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, economics, or a related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, or retail marketing with a focus on beverage or FMCG categories; previous experience managing vendor relationships is preferred.

Knowledge and skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite; experience with category management tools and analytics software (e.g., Power BI) preferred.

• Strong analytical skills, financial acumen, and knowledge of market trends within the beverage industry; demonstrated negotiation skills and ability to build vendor relationships.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.

• Willingness to travel up to 30-40% to store locations for implementation support; valid driver’s license required.

• Engagement in industry trends by attending relevant workshops, reading professional publications, and networking to maintain and enhance knowledge of the beverage market and emerging category practices.

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK HERE:

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, we believe that our team members are the heart and soul of our business. When you join us, you're not just getting a job – you're becoming part of a vibrant community where your talents are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your contributions make a real difference. Here's why you'll love working with us:

Benefits Package:

• Group Insurance Program: Stay healthy and happy! Our plan provides you with the flexibility to choose coverage that best meets your needs and add optional insurance (health and dental care, long-term disability, life insurance, health spending account)

• Pension Plan: Plan for your future and retire with peace of mind with our pension plan, helping you build a secure financial future.

• Share Purchase Plan: Invest in your future and share in our success with our employee stock purchase plan, allowing you to become a shareholder of Couche-Tard/Circle K.

• Paid Time Off: Recharge and rejuvenate with paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, and personal days to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Additional Perks:

• Employee Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on our products and services, making it even easier to fuel up and stock up on your favorite goodies.

• Training and Development: Grow your skills and advance your career with access to ongoing training and development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and online courses.

• Recognition and Rewards: We celebrate our team's achievements and milestones with a range of recognition programs, rewards, and incentives to show our appreciation for your hard work and dedication.

• Mentorship Program: Take your career to new heights with our mentorship program, where seasoned professionals provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help you reach your full potential.

• Scholarship Program: Invest in your education and future success with our scholarship program, available not only to our employees but also to their children. We're committed to supporting your lifelong learning journey and empowering you to achieve your academic and career goals.

INTERESTED? You are only a few clicks away from joining an exceptional company! Visit our careers page at https://workwithus.circlek.com/ca/en to submit your application. We can't wait to hear from you!

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position. Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted for further steps in the hiring process.

Couche-Tard/Circle K values diversity and inclusion and aims to create a safe, accessible and rewarding workplace that showcases the unique contribution of our employees to the success of our business. As an employer, we are committed to employment equity, we encourage a wide variety of applications to ensure that we have a diverse workforce that is representative of the customers and the communities we serve. Accommodations are available upon request for applicants who participate in all aspects of the selection process.