Manager, Category (Fresh Seafood)

Centennial Food Solutions is a leading provider of customized quality center-of-the-plate products in Western Canada. Our goal is simple: to connect our communities through great food and exceptional service. Our reputation as a dependable and flexible partner is why discerning restaurants, retailers, foodservice, and trading companies choose us time and time again. With branches across Western Canada and a vast network of business brands, we are uniquely positioned to bring value to our partners at every turn.

Job Purpose

The Manager, Category (Fresh Seafood) is responsible for the strategic development, management, and profitability of the fresh seafood category across designated retail, foodservice, and wholesale accounts. This role develops category strategies, manages supplier relationships, drives sales growth, optimizes product assortment, analyzes market trends, and identifies opportunities to increase revenue and margin while meeting customer expectations and organizational objectives.

The Fresh Seafood Category Manager serves as a subject matter expert on seafood products, market conditions, pricing trends, procurement strategies, and consumer preferences. Working closely with Sales, Purchasing, Operations, Marketing, and supplier partners, this position ensures the category remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with business goals.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, and market share.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and category performance through data-driven analysis and market insights.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and agreements, and identify new sourcing opportunities.
• Monitor seafood market trends, costs, supply conditions, and competitive activity to support business decisions.
• Partner with Sales, Purchasing, and Operations to support customer growth, inventory optimization, and product availability.
• Support customer meetings, category reviews, promotional programs, and strategic business planning.
• Analyze sales, margin, inventory, and market data to identify risks, opportunities, and performance improvements.
• Develop reports, forecasts, and presentations to communicate category performance and recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, sustainability, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to resolve supply chain and product quality issues.
• Travel as required to supplier locations, industry events, customer meetings, and business units.
• Additional duties as required.

Qualifications (Education, Experience)

• A combination of education and industry experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in category management, seafood purchasing, sales, procurement, or product management.
• Experience within the seafood, food distribution, grocery retail, or foodservice industry preferred.
• Proven success managing supplier relationships and commercial negotiations.
• Experience analyzing market trends, financial performance, and category profitability.
• Strong understanding of fresh seafood products, sourcing practices, supply chains, and market dynamics.
• Advanced analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret sales, margin, and market data.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, ERP systems, and category management tools.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive results across multiple functions.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Strong business acumen and customer-focused mindset.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Category Management Expertise
• Business Acumen
• Negotiation & Influencing
• Data Analysis & Interpretation
• Customer Focus
• Relationship Building
• Financial Management
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Market Awareness
• Planning & Organization
• Change Agility

Benefits and Perks

• Comprehensive Health and Dental coverage for you and your family.
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan with company matching contributions.
• Subsidized Company Share Ownership plan.
• Employee Family Assistance Program (support for mental health, financial services, and legal needs).
• Employee pricing on thousands of high-quality foods.
• Career advancement opportunities and training across the company.
• Instant Pay: through pay streaming you can have instant access to earnings without having to wait for payday!
• Belonging to a team that is passionate about food and long-term success.

Please note:

• Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada at this time. Centennial Food Solutions regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas.
• Please note that final candidates for this position may be required to undergo a confidential pre-employment background check which may include but not be limited to criminal, and/or credit testing.