Product Manager - Our Brands

Location: Markham, Ontario

Job Description:

Position: Product Manager – Our Brands

Type: Full-Time | Hybrid

Location: Markham, ON

Reports to: Director, Private Brands- Consumables

About Us

Pet Valu is Canada’s leading pet specialty retailer, dedicated to strengthening the bond between dedicated pet lovers and their pets. With 50 years of animal care expertise, we operate over 800 stores across Canada under several banners, including Pet Valu, Bosley’s, Total Pet, Paulmac's Pet, Tisol & Chico. Guided by our mission to deliver products, care, expertise, and memorable moments, Pet Valu is a place where people build meaningful careers while making a positive impact on pets and communities.

What will you do?

The Product Manager, Our Brands will own end-to-end product launch from ideation through commercialization, bringing to market new proprietary brand products. This customer (DPL) and product obsessed role will understand market trends and utilize wide range of data to identify new product development opportunities to improve sales, penetration, and profitability.

Responsibilities

Insight

• Intimate understanding of categories in which brands are being managed including interactions with infinity categories at retail, and in the eyes of the consumer.
• Continuously monitors customer, competitive intelligence, and aids in the development of business opportunities.
• Acquire knowledge and insights of corporate strategy, consumer insights and economic outlook to develop the Proprietary Brand strategy for new and existing products.

Strategy

• Develop strategy for existing product categories including recommended merchandising, pricing, promotions, and marketing to ensure continued growth and maximize sales potential.
• Develop strategies for existing products including reformulations and redesigns.

Product

• Identify & developing new Proprietary Brand opportunities & line extensions.
• Deliver product to market in a timely and efficient manner.
• Manage, maintain product adherence to brand positioning, brand guardrails, and customer value proposition to drive brand loyalty and equity.
• Responsible for end-to-end product development and related project management.
• Develop rationale and business cases for new product development including financial feasibility, supplier selection, product and packaging features, sales projections, pricing recommendations, marketing, merchandising and promotions.

Vendor Management

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with manufacturers to ensure proper execution of product launches and optimum service levels are being met.

Collaboration

• Build relationships and initiate processes with internal and external partners that facilitate cross-functional synergy and collaboration.
• Work in collaboration with Category Managers to understand category strategy and set appropriate product strategies and roadmaps to maximize Proprietary Brand penetration, market share, sales volume & profitability of assigned product categories.

• Participate in department meetings to develop strategies, troubleshoot, and actively pursue innovative items, ingredients, and packaging ideas.
• Lead bi-weekly meeting with Merchandising about product and performance.
• Partner with internal teams to develop enabling tools and process improvements the improve time-to-market.
• Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the supply chain to ensure effective collaboration and execution of Proprietary Brand strategies and plans.

Results

• Help manage product development cost.
• Shared responsibility with Merchandising for brand sales, margin performance and achievement of product launch targets.
• Utilize available financial & management information systems to monitor sales results, profitability and recommend actions to improve in market product performance.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of Packaged Goods, Brand Marketing/Product Development/Merchandising or related field.
• Proprietary Brands experience with a retailer is a plus.
• Experience in consumable pet products a plus.
• Adept at working cross-functionally and collaboratively.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and get things done.
• Identify opportunities and solve problems.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Adept in storytelling, presenting and influencing.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to resolve situations with colleagues where there may be some level of conflict, stress, or uncertainty.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with a high sense of urgency.
• Possess the ability to connect with the merchandising organization and be able to convert opportunities into practical business strategies.
• A proven leader with self-confidence, and a solid track record of accomplishments in challenging environments.
• Proactive thinker and doer – anticipate issues before they arise, has a strong pride of ownership to see projects through end to end.
• Strong project management skills.
• Good listening skills and ability to be effective in working with all levels of the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Compensation:

The targeted salary range for this position is $95,000.00 - $107,000.00 annually. The final offer will be based on factors such as market location, relevant skills, experience and internal equity.

Ready to join the team?

We’re looking for passionate people who bring strong skills and live our core values of safety, compassion, expertise, and efficiency every day. If you’re energized by doing meaningful work, taking pride in what you deliver, and making a real impact for pets, people, and communities, you’ll feel right at home here. Join us and build a career where purpose, care, and excellence come together - because love lives here™.

Why work for us?

 At Pet Valu, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re passionate about creating an environment where you feel supported, included, and empowered to grow - both personally and professionally. Some of the perks of working with us include:

• Hybrid, Flexible Work Options
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employee Share Purchase Plan with company matching
• Learning and Development support tailored to you
• An inclusive, collaborative culture where your voice matters
• Fun company events that keep us connected
• Preferred rates for car rentals, hotels, phone plans and gym discounts
• Generous employee discounts on our products

Pet Valu is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and accessibility. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

At Pet Valu, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring practices. This posting is for an existing vacancy. Pet Valu may use AI enabled technology to assist in the recruitment process for positions. The use of AI helps us ensure we are providing an equitable and streamlined recruitment experience for all applicants. While AI tools support our recruitment process, all decisions throughout the process are made exclusively by Pet Valu’s hiring team. At no stage does AI determine recruitment outcomes.