Category Manager

Job summary

The Category Manager is responsible for managing assigned product categories by balancing product availability, supplier performance, and cost to support business growth. They will analyze data to optimize inventory, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve category performance.

Job details

Join Swish as a Category Manager About Swish: Swish is a proudly Canadian, family-owned company that has been operating since 1956. From coast to coast, we help communities feel confident that the spaces where they work and live are clean, safe, and hygienic. We are Canada’s source for high-quality cleaning supplies and equipment, offering professional-grade, environmentally responsible solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. Our product and service categories include: Hand Hygiene, Surface Disinfecting, Kitchen, Laundry & Warewash, Floor Care & Matting, Cleaning Tools & Powered Equipment, Safety, PPE, and more. At Swish, our people are at the heart of everything we do. About the Role: The Category Manager is responsible for managing assigned product categories from both a purchasing and merchandising perspective. This role balances product availability, supplier performance, cost, margin, assortment, working capital constraints and customer needs while supporting Sales, Marketing, e-Commerce, Operations, and overall business growth. The Category Manager will use data, supplier relationships, and market knowledge to improve category performance, strengthen the product portfolio, and support profitable growth. Key Responsibilities: Develop and execute strategies for assigned product categories. Review product performance and make recommendations on SKU additions, rationalization, substitutions, and product alignment. Analyze sales, margin, inventory, supplier, and product data to identify growth and improvement opportunities. Manage purchasing activities to support product availability and inventory objectives. Build strong supplier relationships and negotiate competitive pricing, terms, rebates, and programs. Monitor supplier performance, lead times, backorders, pricing, and product availability. Identify alternative products and suppliers to improve competitiveness and reduce supply risk. Manage the RGA process with branches, Finance, and suppliers to ensure timely resolution of inventory returns, credits, and related supplier issues. Maintain accurate product, supplier, costing, and purchasing data within the ERP system. Support new product setup, SKU management, system coding, and PIM enrichment. Partner with Sales, Marketing, e-Commerce, Operations, Finance, and Branch teams on category initiatives. Develop and maintain category and purchasing metrics, reports, and KPIs. Identify opportunities to improve margin, inventory productivity, data quality, processes, and customer service. Maintain a strong understanding of assigned products, suppliers, customers, competitors, and market trends. Perform other duties and participate in departmental initiatives as assigned. What You Bring: Post-secondary education in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field preferred (equivalent work experience will be considered) 3–5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, merchandising, category management, or a related role. Demonstrated experience working with an ERP system; Epicor P21 experience is an asset. Strong analytical and commercial skills, with an understanding of costing, margin, inventory, and product performance. Strong Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets skills, including PivotTables and lookup functions. Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and supplier-management skills. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities. Customer-focused with strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills. Job Details & What We Offer A people-first company Membership in the Swish family — we treat our employees with integrity and have since 1956 The role Location: Peterborough, Ontario Salary Range: $60,000 to $85,000 (based on skills and experience) Variable compensation: Annual performance bonus eligibility Vacation: Starting at 3 weeks Benefits from Day 1 Company-paid Extended Health & Dental Care Company contributions to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Extras that matter Rewards & Recognition program that celebrates great work and meaningful contributions Access to hundreds of employee discounts across home, wellness, travel, fashion, and more Unlimited training and development with an industry-leading brand to help you grow your career Role Information: Newly created role that evolved from an existing vacancy Equal Opportunity Swish is an equal opportunity employer offering a competitive compensation and benefits package, along with excellent opportunities for professional development and advancement within a growing Canadian organization. Accessibility & Accommodation Swish is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment and workplace experience in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation across Canada. Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants requiring accommodation may contact Human Resources at any stage. Pre-Employment Screening Swish is committed to maintaining a safe and secure work environment. As a condition of employment, candidates will be required to complete background screening, including criminal record checks where permitted by law and where relevant to the position, or where required by client sites. For roles involving the operation of a company motor vehicle, a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driver’s abstract will also be required. AI Disclosure Swish uses artificial intelligence technology to assist in the initial screening and assessment of applications. AI is used only as a support tool; no hiring decisions are made solely by automated systems. All final hiring decisions are made by a human. We are committed to a hiring process that maintains the highest integrity and prioritizes a fair, positive experience for every candidate.

What you’ll do

The Category Manager is responsible for managing assigned product categories by balancing product availability, supplier performance, and cost to support business growth. They will analyze data to optimize inventory, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve category performance.

Requirements

Candidates should have 3–5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or category management, along with strong analytical and commercial skills. Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel is required, and a post-secondary education in a related field is preferred.

Benefits

• Extended Health Care • Dental Care • Registered Retirement Savings Plan • Employee & Family Assistance Program • Rewards & Recognition Program • Employee Discounts • Training and Development

Listed skills

• ERP systems · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Supply chain management · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred
• Microsoft Excel · Preferred
• Negotiation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred
• Procurement · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Purchasing
• Procurement
• Merchandising
• Category Management
• Data Analysis
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Negotiation
• ERP Systems
• Microsoft Excel
• Google Sheets
• KPI Tracking
• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Planning
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Sales Analysis
• Supplier Management
• Epicor Prophet 21 (Distribution Software)
• Disinfecting
• Supply Chain
• Dental Care
• Valid Driver's License
• Artificial Intelligence
• Customer Service
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Training And Development
• Data Quality
• Discounts And Allowances
• Finance
• Sales
• Marketing
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Market Trend
• New Product Development
• Working Capital
• Operations
• Project Portfolio Management
• Profitable Growth
• Protocol Independent Multicast
• Supplier Performance Management
• Return Goods Authorization Process
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Logistics
• Sales
• Retail
• Finance & Accounting
• Category Manager
• Procurement / Sourcing Manager
• Supply, Distribution and Related Managers
• Purchasing Managers