Bakery Category Coordinator

Supporting the planning, execution, and oversight of marketing, merchandising, and operational strategies. Ensuring alignment with approved budgets, programs, policies, and procedures. Contributes by assisting in driving sales growth, operational excellence, and brand consistency, while positioning the Bakery division as a market leader in the Calgary marketplace.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Support the achievement of budgeted targets for sales, margin, expenses, profit, market share, and price perception.
• Maintain confidential pricing and costing files within systems ensuring accuracy and integrity of data.
• Deliver clear and consistent communications to stores outlining advertising plans, merchandising expectations, promotional pricing, general information, and in-store feature programs.
• Coordinate and maintain pricing structures and order guides to ensure accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Monitor and analyze weekly shrink reports, identifying trends and recommending corrective actions to improve profitability.
• Partner with Bakery Managers to secure product commitments for opportunity buys and promotional programs.
• Provide input into product assortment planning, SKU rationalization, and department planograms to optimize sales and space productivity.
• Build strong working relationships with retail bakery teams to enhance product quality, service levels, execution standards, and communication flow.
• Support the implementation of innovative in-store marketing and merchandising initiatives to drive customer engagement and sales growth.
• Assist in developing and establishing bakery department policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Evaluate industry trends and competitive activity to identify growth opportunities across product categories and family groups.
• Provide recommendations regarding budget guidelines, department layouts, and new or existing bakery designs to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and financial performance.
• Support Retail Operations teams with program execution, key item lists, merchandising standards, pricing strategies, inventory management, store layouts, and audit processes.
• Ensure compliance with association policies, food safety regulations, sanitation standards, product labelling requirements, maintenance protocols, and asset protection guidelines. 
• Participate in the development and action of yearly competency performance work plan(s) and development action plan(s). 
• Assists in ensuring the workplace is safe in the areas of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Food Safety procedures, legislation and policies including participate in HSE activities, assist in identifying unhealthy, unsafe situations and corrective action is taken. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Includes Education):              

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience including category management experience. 
• Minimum three (3) years of retail bakery management or supervisor experience, including people leadership and budget accountability. 
• Demonstrated project management experience with the ability to lead initiatives from concept through execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel (qualifying exam required), Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret internal and external data and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Strong commercial / business skills with the ability to interpret pricing strategy, promotional planning, assortment management, supplier relations, and budget management. 
• Possessions of having experience in strategic thinking and good interpersonal skills. 

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in Business or a related field 
• Baker or Pastry Chef certification
• Category Management Certificate 
• Category management experience 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High level of attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams while maintaining strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

 

Benefits & Perks:

Calgary Co-op has excellent opportunities for increasing levels of responsibility, personal growth, and challenge. We offer competitive wages, extended health benefits, paid vacations, 5% employee discount (cashback) on all purchases, a recognition program, social committee events and employee & family assistance plan. As well as numerous training and development programs. 

 

About Calgary Co-op

Calgary Co-op has been proudly serving the community since 1956, when it opened its first store with local farmers and ranchers to provide fresh, farm-to-table foods. Headquartered in Calgary and owned by over 456,000 members, it’s one of North America’s largest retail co-operatives, with 3,530 employees, $757 million in assets, and $1.3 billion in annual sales. We operate food centres, pharmacies, gas stations, car washes, home health care centres, wine, spirits and beer stores, and cannabis stores across Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore. We also own Community Natural Foods, Willow Park Wines & Spirits and Beacon Pharmacy. Committed to sourcing locally whenever possible, from Calgary, Alberta, and Western Canada, the organization helps connect consumers with the producers behind their food. Calgary Co-op continues to expand its local offerings while focusing on quality and community support, earning recognition by the Canadian Grocer’s 2024 Impact Awards for our commitment to sustainability & supporting employees.

 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those applicants considered for an interview will be contacted.