Director of Product Management, Automotive

Job summary

The Director of Product Management will develop and execute the long-term strategic vision and category roadmap for the automotive portfolio. They will lead a high-performing team while managing vendor partnerships and driving financial performance across various sales channels.

Job details

We are looking for someone seeking exciting new opportunities as a Director of Product Management, Automotive for our thriving team. The successful person will be an energetic, customer focused, self-starter who has experience in the automotive aftermarket parts industry. What we can offer you: A competitive salary Comprehensive benefits and employee assistance program accessible. A generous employer contribution to the pension plan. Complete insurance coverage. Employee discounts on automotive products. Career development opportunities Work in a dynamic work environment you’ll be able to expand your skills. Your Daily Contribution & Impact: In this role, the individual will be responsible for supporting the evolving needs of professional repair shops, technicians, and automotive service providers across Canada. In an industry being transformed by vehicle technology, diagnostics, electrification, and increasingly complex repair environments, this leader will play a key role in shaping a competitive portfolio of automotive products offering that helps our customers operate efficiently, safely, and successfully every day. Category Strategy & Vision Develop and execute the long-term strategic vision and category roadmap for the Automotive portfolio, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives, customer requirements, evolving automotive technologies, and market trends. Identify opportunities to expand product assortment, strengthen category performance, and drive sustainable sales, profitability, and market share growth across retail, commercial, wholesale, and professional installer channels. Lead category innovation initiatives focused on emerging automotive technologies including electric vehicles (EV), hybrid systems, thermal management, engine efficiency, driveline systems, steering and suspension advancements, braking technologies, and connected vehicle systems to support future industry demands. Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Category Managers and category specialists. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking while supporting succession planning, employee development, and continuous improvement across the category management organization. Provide coaching and leadership that empowers teams to execute category strategies, vendor initiatives, pricing programs, and product launches effectively. Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as the strategic liaison between Category Management and key business functions including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Replenishment, Finance, IT, and Executive Leadership. Drive alignment on category strategies, pricing architecture, promotional planning, inventory optimization, product launches, customer initiatives, and operational execution. Partner closely with commercial sales teams and field operations to ensure category strategies support customer acquisition, retention, and installer productivity objectives. Automotive Category Expertise Lead the development, sourcing, and management of the Automotive portfolio supporting professional repair facilities, dealerships, fleet operators, and retail customers. Maintain strong expertise in automotive repair technologies, technician workflow requirements, OEM and aftermarket service standards, and emerging trends related to EV, hybrid, ADAS, and connected vehicle systems. Business Performance & Analytics Own the overall financial and operational performance of the Automotive portfolio. Leverage KPIs, market intelligence, competitive analysis, and business analytics tools to evaluate category performance, identify growth opportunities, and support data-driven strategic decisions. Vendor & Strategic Partnership Management Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with leading automotive aftermarket manufacturers and suppliers. Lead annual business planning, contract negotiations, rebate programs, product launches, training initiatives, and joint growth strategies to maximize profitability and strengthen competitive positioning. Collaborate with vendor partners to introduce innovative technologies and solutions that enhance technician efficiency, repair quality, and customer satisfaction. Product Lifecycle & Technical Support Oversee the full product lifecycle management process including category reviews, assortment planning, new product introductions, pricing strategy, product transitions, and end-of-life management. Partner with vendors, sales teams, operations, and technical support teams to ensure product accuracy, catalog data integrity, training readiness, technical documentation, and successful market adoption. Support development of training programs and technical resources for internal teams and customers. Industry & Technical Knowledge Maintain strong knowledge and understanding of: Automotive repair shop operations and workflow, OEM and aftermarket part applications, Inventory management and distribution best practices within the automotive aftermarket industry, Emerging automotive technologies and industry trends. Expertise & Essential Skills: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, Automotive Management, or related field. Minimum 5+ years of experience in Category Management, Product Management, Procurement, or Strategic Sourcing within the automotive aftermarket industry. Strong negotiation, vendor management, and strategic planning skills. Proven leadership experience managing high-performing teams. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint. Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience interpreting KPIs and market data. Proficient with ERP systems, category management tools, and emerging technologies. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills (French, English). Strong business acumen with an innovative and solution-oriented mindset. Highly organized, autonomous, and results-driven with strong prioritization skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment while managing multiple priorities simultaneously. Why Bumper to Bumper? Bumper to Bumper is more than just a network of auto parts stores and repair shops; it’s Uni-Select’s flagship brand, bringing together experts who share the same commitment to providing quality parts, tools, and services. With over 190 Bumper to Bumper stores and over 110 Bumper to Bumper Auto Service shops across Canada, we provide a turnkey trusted program, offering complete support, a strong brand image, and a dynamic go-to-market strategy. Our extensive inventory features over 500,000 products, sourced from 350+ suppliers, including top national brands and private-label products, covering most makes and models on the road today. As skilled professionals, we understand the importance of trust and reliability. That’s why we offer training on the latest technologies, including our EVE - Electric Vehicle Expert program, ensuring our partners stay at the forefront of the industry. At Bumper to Bumper, we stand for the right to repair and fight against obsolescence. We’re committed to keeping cars on the road longer, believing that if something can be repaired, it should be! Long live your car!

What you’ll do

The Director of Product Management will develop and execute the long-term strategic vision and category roadmap for the automotive portfolio. They will lead a high-performing team while managing vendor partnerships and driving financial performance across various sales channels.

Requirements

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience in category or product management within the automotive aftermarket industry. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems are essential.

Benefits

• Competitive salary • Comprehensive benefits • Employee assistance program • Pension plan • Insurance coverage • Employee discounts • Career development opportunities

Listed skills

• Product management · Preferred
• Supply Chain · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• Procurement · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Category management
• Product management
• Strategic planning
• Vendor management
• Negotiation
• Automotive aftermarket
• Leadership
• Financial acumen
• Data analysis
• Supply chain
• Procurement
• Market intelligence
• Product lifecycle management
• Communication
• Project management
• Technical knowledge

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Retail
• Logistics
• Manufacturing
• Sales