Category Manager, Home Computers & Entertainment

London Drugs INTERNAL•Richmond, BC

40d

About The Position

Our Home Computers & Entertainment categories play a key role in shaping the customer experience across our retail network. As Category Manager, Home Computers & Entertainment, you will lead the strategic direction of the category, guide a team of Buyers, and drive financial performance through strong merchandising judgment, vendor partnerships, and data‑driven decision‑making. This role requires a leader who can set a clear category vision, anticipate market trends, and collaborate effectively across the business to deliver sales growth, margin improvement, and a differentiated customer experience.

Requirements

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long‑term category visions, anticipate market trends, and connect decisions to broader business objectives
Leadership: Experience building high‑performing teams through coaching, development, and clear direction
Merchandising Excellence: Strong product judgment and trend identification; ability to create assortments that resonate with customers
Financial Acumen: Ability to manage category P&L, make investment decisions, and translate financial analysis into action
Business Partnership: Strong collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners through data and clear communication
Results Orientation: Proven ability to drive improvements in sales, margin, and market share
Customer Focus: Deep understanding of customer needs and shopping behaviors; ability to evaluate decisions through the customer lens
Proven track record of category leadership with success driving sales growth and margin improvement
Deep category expertise with strong product knowledge and understanding of customer needs and market dynamics
Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, Open‑to‑Buy, and category financial performance
Proven negotiation skills and experience building strategic vendor partnerships
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including comfort presenting to senior leadership
Strategic thinking with ability to translate category vision into actionable plans

Nice To Haves

Experience with relevant Entertainment categories
Experience working with Planning, Pricing, and Space Planning teams
Familiarity with retail analytics and reporting tools
Experience managing categories in multi‑store retail environments
Background in both physical retail and e‑commerce

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of Buyers responsible for product selection, vendor management, and category performance
Set performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and conduct performance reviews
Build buying expertise through training, mentoring, and skill development
Foster a culture of customer focus, merchandising excellence, and financial discipline
Develop long‑range category strategies that drive sales, margin, and competitive differentiation
Define category vision including assortment architecture, pricing position, and promotional strategy
Analyze market trends, competitive activity, and customer insights to inform strategic direction
Partner with Merchandise Planning on financial plans, including sales, margin, and inventory targets
Lead seasonal planning and buying cycles to ensure timely execution
Evaluate new category opportunities and recommend expansion or rationalization
Own category P&L including sales, margin, inventory investment, and profitability
Manage Open‑to‑Buy budgets in partnership with Planning
Establish pricing strategies and margin targets that balance competitiveness and profitability
Monitor financial performance and take action to address shortfalls or capitalize on opportunities
Analyze sales trends, margin performance, and inventory productivity to identify improvements
Manage promotional budgets and assess ROI on promotional investments
Build strategic relationships with key vendors and brand partners
Negotiate agreements including cost structures, payment terms, and promotional funding
Evaluate vendor partnerships and make decisions on vendor additions, deletions, and resource allocation
Attend major trade shows and industry events to identify trends and discover new products
Stay current on industry developments, competitive activity, and emerging brands
Establish assortment principles including good‑better‑best frameworks, private label strategy, and brand mix
Review and approve assortment plans to ensure alignment with category strategy and financial goals
Partner with Space Planning on category space allocation, planogram standards, and merchandising principles
Drive merchandising excellence through clear visual standards and strong in‑store presentation
Evaluate assortment productivity and make decisions on item additions, deletions, and replacements
Partner with Planning on forecasting, inventory strategies, and allocation optimization
Collaborate with Pricing on competitive positioning, promotional strategy, and markdown management
Work with Marketing on promotional campaigns, circular planning, and customer communication
Coordinate with Supply Chain on vendor performance, logistics, and inventory flow
Engage with Store Operations on merchandising execution, product training, and field feedback