Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. Here's a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...
The Regional Merchandising Manager leads and brings to life go-to-market initiatives that power regional sales and marketing success. This role provides strategic merchandising direction across all product categories within the assigned region and partners closely with North American category teams, product support, marketing, sales, revenue management, and vendor partners to execute strategies that drive sales growth, margin expansion, and brand performance.
What We Offer:
The salary range for this position $117,000.00 - $135,000.00 and a potential 20% bonus
Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EFAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
FULL flex benefits program
Company matching RRSP
Family culture
Advancement opportunities
Profit Sharing
128 year, family owned and operated company history
Location
The successful candidate should be able to commute to the Milton or Ajax DC at least 4 days a week.
Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
Serve as the primary liaison between Regional VP, Division GMs, Sales Leadership, and vendor/broker partners
Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team (hiring, coaching, performance management)
Drive strong engagement between divisions and vendor partners
Strategy & Planning
Support development and execution of Annual Operating Plans to achieve sales, margin, market share, and brand growth targets
Align regional strategies with North American category, revenue management, marketing, and sales teams
Translate corporate strategies into actionable regional plans
Category Management
Execute category strategies at the regional/divisional level Overseeing product portfolio management to ensure alignment with local market needs and strategic objectives.
Manage regional product plans to achieve sales, margin, and brand penetration goals
Optimize product assortment, pricing, and lifecycle management (new items, transitions, discontinuations)
Lead vendor and product transitions across divisions
Ensure regional needs and “local” product opportunities are incorporated into category strategies
Vendor & Pricing Management
Manage performance of strategic vendors and broker partners
Identify and drive regional growth opportunities
Ensure competitive pricing while optimizing margins
Partner with revenue management and category teams to implement appropriate cost strategies
Sales & Operational Support
Provide timely, actionable communication on product updates, supply issues, and vendor insights
Support resolution of supply chain disruptions and inventory management initiatives
Conduct field engagement (ride-alongs) to strengthen alignment with sales and marketing teams
Industry Expertise & Continuous Improvement
Maintain deep category and industry knowledge
Leverage data and customer insights to inform decisions
Stay current on market trends and best practices
Qualifications & Skills
High School diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field preferred
5+ years of experience in category management, sales, or marketing (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Valid passport preferred for travel
Experience & Competencies
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret industry trends, pricing, margins, and customer data
Solid knowledge of category management, sourcing, pricing, and sales/marketing strategies
Proven leadership and influencing skills, including the ability to lead without direct authority
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities
Creative thinker with a problem-solving mindset and strong attention to detail
Ability to develop and execute strategic plans aligned with business objectives
Skilled at building relationships, networking, and collaborating across teams and vendors
Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed
Demonstrated ability to develop innovative solutions to complex business challenges
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We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for the next stage will be contacted. Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer who strives to provide an inclusive work environment that involves everyone and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to any enumerated or analogous grounds of discrimination, including race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, sexual orientation or status as a qualified individual with disability.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talentcanada@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.