Senior Director, Merchandising and Marketing

Senior Director, Merchandising and Marketing

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Neighbourly Pharmacy is looking for a Senior Director, Merchandising & Marketing to join our expanding Merchandising and Marketing team, to support the continued growth and further enhance our strategic front store initiatives and category management to better support the performance of our 300+ pharmacies across Canada! Our Support Office is located in Etobicoke, ON, however this role has the ability to work remotely within the GTA.

About Us:

Neighbourly Pharmacy is Canada's largest and fastest-growing network of community pharmacies. With over 300 locations, our team of experienced industry leaders are passionate about providing exceptional patient care to our communities. We have been recently recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. We know that our people are our most valuable asset, and we take pride in helping our employees realize their career goals.

Location: This role is remote, and may require travel into the office for meetings as required by department leaders.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Director, Merchandising and Marketing involves collaborating with key industry partners (e.g., McKesson, Pharmasave, PharmaChoice) to drive performance through store layout optimization, category management, private label growth, loyalty programs, and overall marketing strategy. This role leads a team focused on front store activation and works closely with Operations, Regional Directors, and District Directors to ensure consistent execution at store level.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the marketing and merchandising team, providing mentorship while collaborating with other departments to execute strategies.
• Mentor team members to foster accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Collaborate with Operations, Regional Directors, and District Directors to ensure the successful execution of merchandising and marketing strategies.

Store Layout & Optimization:

• Oversee planning and execution of store layouts to improve product visibility and sales.
• Oversee store layout and category management to ensure product assortment meets customer demand and maximizes profitability.

Category Management:

• Manage product assortment to maximize profitability, identify opportunities for rationalization, and track category expansion performance.
• Develop and expand Neighbourly Pharmacy's private label offerings to enhance brand strength.
• Manage private label expansion and vendor relationships to improve product offerings and reduce costs.
• Optimize inventory levels, pricing strategies, and margins through data analytics and market trends.
• Drive operational efficiencies and pricing strategies to boost margins and optimize inventory management.
• Strengthen and collaborate with key banners and vendors, develop relationships, optimize costs and negotiate favorable terms.

Marketing & Promotions:

• Oversee marketing campaigns.
• Identify targeted campaigns that reflect customer needs.

Loyalty Program Management:

• Enhance customer loyalty through targeted programs and data-driven insights.
• Oversee loyalty programs, utilizing customer behavior analysis to enhance retention and cross-selling opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to grow in rural markets and improve customer satisfaction by aligning store offerings with customer needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Post Secondary Education, bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field of study.
• 10+ years’ experience in Merchandising and Marketing with a focus on retail operations.
• Deep understanding of store layout, space optimization, and category management principles.
• Expertise in pricing strategy, inventory management, and private label expansion.
• Financial acumen to manage cost of goods (COGs) and optimize inventory turns.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute long-term initiatives that align with company goals.
• Experience in customer loyalty program development and marketing strategy.
• Proficiency in analytics and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with remote teams.
• Experience with Smartsheet an asset.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and driving results in a retail setting.

Neighbourly Pharmacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to deliver accessibility and equality to all job applicants, staff, and our customers. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired.