About Us
JR Toy Company is one of Canada's most trusted retailers of educational, science, and learning toys, dedicated to inspiring curiosity and imagination through play. With our flagship store in Burlington, Ontario, and a growing eCommerce business, we offer a carefully curated selection of innovative, high-quality products while delivering exceptional customer experiences. Our collaborative team is passionate about bringing the best products to families and creating a workplace where employees can learn, grow, and make an impact.
About the Role
We are looking for an Assistant Category Manager to join our Merchandising team and support the day-to-day management of our product categories.
This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role that combines merchandising, product management, inventory coordination, vendor communication, reporting, and category support. You will work closely with the Senior Category Manager to ensure products are set up accurately, inventory is flowing effectively, vendors are supported, and our assortment continues to meet customer needs.
The role offers an excellent opportunity for someone early in their merchandising or retail career to develop broader category management skills and gradually take on increased responsibility for assortment planning, purchasing, forecasting, and category decision-making.
The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, curious about products and customers, and enjoys working across multiple areas of a growing retail business.
Key Responsibilities
Category & Merchandising Support
- Support the day-to-day management and execution of assigned product categories.
- Maintain product assortments and ensure product information is accurate and up to date.
- Review sales and product performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support seasonal product launches, promotions, and merchandising initiatives.
- Conduct competitive research and monitor product trends, pricing, and market activity.
- Assist with assortment reviews and recommendations based on sales performance, customer needs, and inventory levels.
- Support the Senior Category Manager with category planning, analysis, and special projects.
- Help ensure our stores and eCommerce channels have the right products available at the right time.
Product Administration & Merchandising Operations
- Create and maintain product listings and product information across internal systems and digital channels.
- Coordinate the setup of new SKUs and ensure product information is complete and accurate.
- Manage product updates, including descriptions, pricing, images, specifications, and other relevant information.
- Maintain category trackers, reports, and merchandising tools.
- Support the Microsoft Dynamics NAV import process for new products and product updates.
- Work closely with eCommerce and Marketing to ensure products are accurately represented online.
- Assist with seasonal product setup and promotional updates.
Inventory & Sales Support
- Monitor sales and inventory levels across assigned categories.
- Review in-season performance and identify potential out-of-stock, overstock, or slow-moving inventory.
- Prepare regular sales, inventory, and sell-through reports.
- Support replenishment recommendations and inventory planning.
- Assist with seasonal forecasting and post-season analysis.
- Use sales and inventory data to help identify opportunities to improve category performance and inventory productivity.
Vendor & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Develop positive working relationships with suppliers and act as a key point of contact for day-to-day communication.
- Communicate with vendors regarding product information, availability, pricing, shipments, product issues, and other requests.
- Follow up on outstanding vendor issues and ensure information is communicated internally.
- Coordinate with Warehouse and Operations regarding product availability and inbound shipments.
- Work closely with Finance, eCommerce, Marketing, Customer Service, and Operations to support category priorities.
- Assist with vendor reporting, promotional coordination, and seasonal initiatives.
Purchasing & Category Development
As you develop in the role, you will gradually take on greater responsibility for:
- Supporting purchasing and replenishment decisions.
- Preparing and managing purchase orders.
- Assisting with seasonal purchasing and forecasting.
- Evaluating product performance and making assortment recommendations.
- Supporting vendor negotiations and pricing discussions.
- Taking greater ownership of assigned product categories.
- Developing a deeper understanding of category profitability, inventory productivity, and sales performance.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone with 2–4 years of experience in retail merchandising, category support, buying support, purchasing, product management, inventory, or a related field.
You do not need to have been a Category Manager. We are looking for someone who understands retail and products, is comfortable working with data and vendors, and is ready to grow into greater category responsibility.
The successful candidate will bring:
- 2–4 years of relevant experience in retail, merchandising, category support, buying support, purchasing, or a related environment.
- Experience working with products, SKUs, inventory, vendors, or retail merchandising.
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to work comfortably with sales and inventory data.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience with an ERP or inventory management system; Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an asset.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
- A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of tasks from start to finish.
- Strong follow-up skills and the ability to work effectively with vendors and internal teams.
- An interest in retail, products, merchandising, and understanding customer needs.
- A desire to develop a career in category management and merchandising.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of approximately $70,000, based on experience and qualifications.
- A clear opportunity to develop toward broader category management and purchasing responsibility.
- Mentorship and hands-on development alongside an experienced Senior Category Manager.
- A collaborative, team-oriented environment where your work has a direct impact on the business.
- Comprehensive group benefits plan.
- Paid vacation and personal time off.
- Employee purchasing discounts.
- The opportunity to work with unique educational, science, learning, and seasonal product categories in a growing retail and eCommerce business.
Why Join JR Toy Company?
This is a new position and an opportunity to join a growing merchandising team at an exciting stage of the company's development.
You will gain exposure to the full category management cycle, including products, vendors, inventory, sales analysis, assortment planning, merchandising, and eventually purchasing and forecasting.
If you are someone who enjoys working with products, likes understanding what drives sales, is highly organized, and wants to build a career in merchandising and category management, this role provides an opportunity to grow your skills and responsibilities over time.
This role is a new vacancy.
JR Toy is committed to promoting accessible recruitment as outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. JR Toy will make every effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in an appropriate and effective manner throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Accommodation will be provided upon request.
Pay: From $70,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
