Associate Category Manager

Ottawa, ON
On-site
Posted Oct 11, 2026
1 position

$60,000–$75,000 / year

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Entry, Junior · 0+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Associate Category Manager supports the end-to-end management of product sub-categories by sourcing new products and optimizing existing portfolios. They collaborate with internal teams and vendors to ensure category strategies align with financial goals and customer needs.

Job details

About Lee Valley: Since 1978, Lee Valley has recognized that for many, woodworking and gardening are more than just hobbies. Lee Valley Tools enjoys a proud history of providing high-quality woodworking, gardening, hobby, hardware, gift and seasonal merchandise to customers worldwide. We pride ourselves on providing quality products and renowned customer service. Lee Valley has been honored with many prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies by Deloitte. Additionally, we ranked #1 for In-Store Experience in Ontario by Leger Marketing Inc. A position at Lee Valley is more than just a job – we honor the time and dedication that our people give by providing sustained and meaningful employment while striving to provide an environment where learning and development are encouraged. OVERVIEW: The Associate Category Manager plays a vital role in delivering compelling and innovative products that resonate with our customers and drive business performance. This position supports the end-to-end management of assigned product sub-categories, with a dual focus on introducing new products to market and optimizing the performance of existing portfolios. By working collaboratively across internal teams and with external vendors, the Associate Category Manager helps ensure category strategies align with customer needs, financial goals, and the company’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The ideal candidate will be someone who can think critically about products and their value to customers, demonstrate curiosity and initiative in understanding how and why products succeed and to contribute thoughtfully to product selection, positioning and performance. If you love products especially woodworking, gardening tools, we want to hear from you! Key Responsibilities: Product Sourcing & Development * Support the development and execution of sourcing strategies by identifying and prioritizing new products and promotions that deliver value to customers * Evaluate products and recommend additions based on quality, function, and customer relevance * Develop business cases for new products, incorporating inputs such as competitive analysis, costing, sales data, and product testing Vendor & Product Management * Build and manage relationships with new and existing vendors, working collaboratively to improve cost, quality, reliability, and innovation * Participate in supplier discussions, including pricing, product specifications, and timelines * Oversee product setup, including SKU-level costing, quality control, and compliance during onboarding * Help discover and launch new products Category & Portfolio Management * Support the ongoing performance of assigned sub-categories, balancing new product introduction with optimization of existing assortments * Assist in assortment planning, product reviews, and line rationalization * Identify opportunities to improve product mix, performance, and customer value * Contribute to strategic planning for product lines and category growth Market & Customer Insight * Conduct market research and analyze trends, competitors, and customer needs * Liaise with internal teams to gather insights that inform product decisions and opportunities * Identify potential markets and opportunities for product expansion Planning, Financials & Reporting * Work with the Planning team to align product budgets and inventory forecasts * Monitor key product and category metrics (sales, margin, inventory) * Support reporting and analysis to track performance and inform decisions Knowledge and Skills: * Bachelor's degree in business or related discipline * A genuine interest in woodworking, tools, gardening, or related product categories. * Curiosity about how products are designed, used, and improved. * 0-2 years’ related experience in retail, product related roles, or relevant fields Or * Hands-on experience (personal or professional) with woodworking, tools, or making things with your hands. * Ability to make routine, low-impact financial decisions within clear parameters and limited budget. * Ability to evaluate a product and recommend an appropriate business case * Highly organized with the ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively * Self-driven and proactive * Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines * Negotiation skills * Teamwork and collaboration * Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite What we offer: * A competitive compensation program, including base salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits, and a matching group retirement savings plan. * Paid vacation and sick leave to support your well-being and work-life balance. * A generous Lee Valley employee discount. * A supportive, family-oriented environment that encourages learning, growth, and long-term development. Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 Diversity and Inclusion: At Lee Valley, we are proud to celebrate and foster a diverse team of professionals. We take pride in nurturing an inclusive culture that empowers our people to be their authentic selves, celebrate their differences and love where they work. Our diverse community combined with our inclusive culture, is what sets us apart in the industry. We encourage all candidates to apply for job opportunities with Lee Valley regardless of race, national origin, colour, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and family status, or disability. Our Approach to Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment We believe that hiring decisions should be grounded in human judgment, thoughtful evaluation, and meaningful dialogue. At Lee Valley, we do not use artificial intelligence tools to screen, rank, or make automated decisions about candidates. All applications are reviewed by members of our hiring team, and selection decisions are made through human assessment and professional judgment. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and equitable recruitment process where candidates are evaluated based on their experience, skills, and potential — not by automated systems. Accommodation Requests If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please do not hesitate to reach out. How to Apply: Please visit our careers page at https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/careers [https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/careers] Please include a cover letter to support your application. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field, along with 0-2 years of experience in retail or product-related roles. A genuine interest in woodworking, gardening, or tools is highly valued, as is the ability to manage multiple deadlines and work collaboratively.