FT Director, Liquor & Cannabis Market Support Centre

All Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries employees may apply. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Employment equity will be considered therefore applicants who identify as women, Indigenous people, members of racialized groups, and persons with a disability are encouraged to apply.

If you require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know how we can meet your needs.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Liquor and Cannabis Operations, the Director, Liquor & Cannabis Market Support Centre is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and development of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries’ (MBLL) commercial liquor & cannabis partners support function. In this role, the Director leads a team that is focused on providing B2B related customer service and operational support to rural Liquor Vendors, Hotel Beer Vendors, liquor licensee accounts, Duty Free Stores, Specialty Wine Stores, as well MBLL’s business partners in the Manitoba cannabis industry. This position will provide operational support to business partners, focus on troubleshooting issues related to the delivery, payment, and quality of products ordered, as well as ensuring that governing documents such as Operating Agreements, Guidelines, Bulletins, and MBLL Partners site clearly contain the information needed to run their business.

In addition, this position will collaborate closely with the Director, Strategy, Implementation & Analysis to develop longer-term initiatives capable of growing revenue from the private retail channel and implementing tactics to help these business partners succeed.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee MBLL’s liquor and cannabis customer contact centers and retail support teams, ensuring they have the resources, tools and expertise necessary to deliver quality customer service and operational support to Manitoba’s commercial business partners.
• Develop and maintain a liquor & cannabis retail site visit and support plan. Ensure the plan results in staff visiting, or connecting with, urban, rural, and remote business partners. Track adherence to this plan by staff and ensure an optimal number of site visits can be achieved during the year.
• Collaborate with Finance, Supply Chain and other departments to resolve business partner issues involving product deliveries, payments, credits, discrepancies, quality control and recalls, while identifying and mitigating potential financial exposure to MBLL.
• Monitor the ordering behaviors of liquor and cannabis retailers; use this information to identify possible pending issues or concerns worth addressing.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain and suppliers to develop programs, product education and initiatives that strengthen retailer knowledge, encourage best practices and support sales growth across private liquor and cannabis channels.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Implementation & Analysis to support data-informed business decisions, sales and revenue budgeting, variance analysis and financial performance reporting to senior management.
• Actively monitor the purchasing habits of cannabis and liquor private retailers. Identify opportunities to grow and expand the volume and value of inventory being purchased by these business partners.
• Oversee the analysis and performance of the cannabis product catalogue, including SKU movement, supplier performance, and relevant supply chain metrics, to maintain a competitive, efficient, and commercially effective product offering.
• Oversee the development of performance indicators for all cannabis and liquor commercial partners and monitor performance based on those indicators.
• Champion modernization and continuous improvement of business partner services, including digital tools, retailer onboarding processes, access to business information, and opportunities to simplify and improve the overall partner experience.
• Proactively notify senior-level management of issues which may impact the organization’s achievement of strategic goals.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and management of cannabis suppliers, ensuring appropriate supplier performance, compliance with Health Canada licensing requirements and adherence to MBLL’s established terms and conditions.
• Coordinate with Cannabis suppliers in instances of supplier led recalls, Health Canada recalls, or other product quality issues.
• Oversee MBLL’s cannabis distribution partners, including partner capacity, delivery performance, contractual compliance, and recommendations to optimize the provincial distribution network.
• Collaborate with MBLL in-house legal counsel to maintain and develop the operating agreements, operating guidelines, terms and conditions, and directives documents that govern MBLL’s relationship with cannabis retailers, suppliers, and distribution partners, as well as with applicable private commercial liquor retailers, and liquor manufacturers. Ensure these governing documents are updated annually and accurately reflect the expectations that MBLL holds for our business partners.
• Oversee the cannabis retailer application process on behalf of the province of Manitoba. Ensure support is in place to guide retail applicants through the application process including formal onboarding programs once fully licensed.
• Oversee the rural Liquor Vendor application process. Ensure a robust onboarding process is in place to help new rural Liquor Vendors fully understand how to successfully operate.
• Review and ensure cannabis & liquor retailers operate within prescribed agreements, including documenting and maintaining a non-compliance, or breach of agreement process and corrective actions plan to resolve the issue.
• Work with MBLL’s government relations team, industry associations, First Nations, and municipalities to support the development and implementation of new liquor and cannabis business partners.

• In addition, the Director is accountable for strengthening commercial partnerships, improving private-channel business performance and identifying opportunities for sustainable revenue growth. Working closely with the Director, Strategy, Implementation & Analysis, the Director develops and implements initiatives that help business partners succeed while contributing to MBLL’s broader commercial objectives.

Primary Qualifications

• A degree in Commerce, Business Administration or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• A minimum of ten (10) years progressively responsible business experience, including significant leadership and people management responsibilities for at least 5 of those years, preferably within retail, commercial operations, supply chain, or a related business environment.
• Must possess excellent communication, analytical, leadership, and strategic planning skills.

• Experience and proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).

• Must demonstrate strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, combined with demonstrated experience in maintaining positive working relationships with multi-level and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to handle conflict, stress, and crisis situations, respond to sensitive issues and resolve customer complaints.
• Demonstrated political acumen with sensitivity and understanding of the potential impact of public opinion within the public sector environment.
• Understands market dynamics in a highly regulated and legal landscape.
• Upgrading and professional development are required to stay current with changes in the profession.
• Broad knowledge of P&L, Balance Sheet, and ROI.
• The core competencies for this position include achieving quality results, adaptability/managing change, communication, customer service, decision making and problem solving, integrity and building trust, teamwork and cooperation and valuing diversity. These competencies are deemed important for the success of the position and organization.

Secondary Qualifications

• Experience in the cannabis industry and associated product knowledge is considered an asset.
• Experience in the liquor industry and associated product knowledge is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with Provincial and Federal Liquor and Cannabis Acts and Regulations is an asset.
• Have and maintain a valid Manitoba Class 5 Drivers license is considered an asset.
• Bilingual French/English language skills are an asset.

***Testing may form part of the screening/selection process. Employment Equity will be a factor in the recruitment process. Circumstances may arise where the bulletin may need to be withdrawn or the number of positions may need to be increased.

We thank all interested applicants, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Benefits

A Great Place to Work! Enjoy fantastic benefits with our Total Rewards package

Work/Life Balance and Wellness

• Discretionary Time: Up to 10 paid discretionary leave days per year, depending on bargaining unit. Employees can carry forward discretionary leave days each year for a total of up to 50 days.
• Hybrid Work Model for Eligible Positions: Remote work capability for eligible positions.
• Flex Time: Flexible shift scheduling and work hours for eligible positions.
• Maternity and Parental Leave: Top-up of E.I. maternity leave benefits to 93% of employee’s basic earnings for 17 weeks.
• Fitness Allowance Reimbursement, depending on bargaining unit: Up to $250 per year that can be used to cover gym memberships, fitness equipment, and more.
• Computer Purchase /Fitness Purchase Program: Interest free loans for employees purchasing computer equipment to increase computer literacy, learning, and professional growth, and/or to purchase fitness equipment.
• Diversity and Inclusion: MBLL promotes a culture of caring and respect through initiatives like our employee driven Joint Diversity Network.
• The Together Project: At Liquor & Lotteries, caring is part of our corporate culture - we care for each other, our partners, and our community The Together Project represents the charitable efforts of the corporation and its employees working together to enrich the lives of Manitobans. Employee charitable activities are eligible for reward benefits.

Vacation

• Accrue up to 10 paid vacation days per year during the first 2 years of employment.
• Accrue 15 paid vacation days per year after 3 years of employment.
• Accrue 20 paid vacation days per year after 5 years of employment.
• Accrue 25 paid vacation days per year after 9 years of employment.
• Accrue 30 paid vacation days per year after 19 years of employment.

Retirement Savings Plan

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Guaranteed lifelong monthly payment at retirement provides great security for employee’s long-term strategy.
• Voluntary Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan

Health Insurance and Benefits

• Customize your Plan: Employees choose from a variety of coverage options to best fit their needs, including coverage for prescription drugs, vision, dental, ambulance, extended health and more.
• Health Spending Account: Employees receive up to $1,850 towards eligible medical or dental expenses depending on options chosen.
• Flex Credit: Depending on the bargaining unit, employess may receive a Flex Credit to be used
  towards the purchase of insurance including Group Life, Dependent Life and Accidental Death and Disablement.

World-wide Travel Health Benefits

Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP): Free professional wellness support for employees and their immediate family member

Training and Development

• Educational Assistance: Tuition reimbursement for eligible employees.
• Training: Variety of courses and programs to support skill and professional development.
• Career progression: Internal job posting system that provides opportunities for a variety of career paths.
• Apprenticeship and skilled trade training: Programs offered in partnership with educational institutions such as RRC Polytech, the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba.

Discounts and Rewards

• Employee Rewards & Recognition Program: Points-based program recognizing employees for earned and nominated achievements such as long-service, going above and beyond and community volunteer work.
• Discounts: Employees receive exclusive discounts from a variety of retailers, entertainment venues and service providers.