In the role of Operations Specialist – Merchandising at The North West Company (TNWC), you are responsible for supporting store execution, inventory accuracy, replenishment integrity, and merchandising effectiveness across the division. Acting as a key liaison between Stores, Category Management, Replenishment, Logistics, and Store Operations, you ensure operational programs are executed accurately and efficiently. This role monitors compliance, analyzes operational performance, supports merchandising initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across inventory management, seasonal allocations, electronic receiving, promotional execution, and broader operational excellence initiatives.
Joining TNWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.
TNWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.
Roles:
- Drive compliance and performance of store receiving, inventory, and merchandising processes, including Electronic Receiving and execution of approved standards.
- Partner with stores and operational leaders to improve receiving accuracy, in-stock performance, replenishment effectiveness, and shrink control.
- Analyze sales, inventory, and allocation data to identify risks, trends, and opportunities, supporting data-driven decision-making.
- Maintain and leverage reporting tools and processes to support availability and performance of key items.
- Monitor SKU activity (additions, deletions, discontinued items) and analyze sales data to identify out-of-stock risks and missed sales opportunities.
- Support execution of seasonal, promotional, and special initiatives through allocation review, validation, and issue resolution.
- Collaborate with Category Management to improve item visibility, performance, and sell-through.
- Monitor inventory discrepancies and compliance issues, providing follow-up support and resolution.
- Support divisional operational priorities and special projects through cross‑functional coordination, analysis, and execution support.
- Provide timely communication and follow-up with stores and cross-functional partners while maintaining reporting accuracy and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
- Act as a key liaison across Store Operations, Category Management, Replenishment, Logistics, and Inventory teams to support execution, compliance, and inventory accuracy.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Experience working in northern communities or working with Indigenous groups or communities is required.
- Experience working with inventory management, replenishment, or merchandising systems.
- Five or more years managing retail stores, big box or multi-unit retail operations.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and operational reporting tools.
- Ability to analyze sales and inventory trends to support decision-making.
- Retail operations or merchandising experience preferred.
- Travel to northern Canada markets 120 to 150 days per year.
- Ability periodically to operate store truck, store warehouse equipment and grocery store equipment.
- Ability to regularly lift objects up to 50 lbs.
Location: Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB
Reports To: General Manager, Arctic Division
We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:
• Being Enterprising • Committing to our Customer • Working with Passion • Leading and Developing Others • Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity • Building Trust
The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.
A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.
This position adheres to the Corporate Application Process Guidelines.
