Category Manager – Carquest Canada

Location: Bolton

Department: Product Management

Reports To: Senior Manager Category Management

About the Role

We are seeking a Category Manager to drive growth and execution across our retail merchandising product lines. This role is ideal for an experienced professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, understands the Automotive Aftermarket, and can manage everything from strategy development to day-to-day execution.

As a Category Manager, you will serve as the primary liaison between vendors, Carquest member companies and internal teams, ensuring that our products remain competitively positioned in the Canadian marketplace.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute strategic category management plans in alignment with company objectives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Inventory Planning, and Marketing.
• Manage product master database, DC stocking decisions, and field support.
• Analyze competitive intelligence and recommend strategies.
• Collaborate with Advance Auto Parts Category teams on product line reviews and forward planning.
• Maintain vendor relationships and oversee lifecycle management, seasonal demand, and assortment planning.
• Monitor pricing, gross profit, and inventory to maximize return on investment.
• Lead communications for product management activities, notices, and recalls.

What You Bring

• Strong knowledge of the Automotive Aftermarket and product channel.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate and adapt to market shifts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PPT and Word – with data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills; comfortable working cross-functionally.
• Problem-solver who can work independently while delivering high-quality results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, college diploma, or equivalent experience.
• 4–6 years of category management experience (automotive aftermarket experience strongly preferred).

Why Join Us?

At Carquest Canada, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to shape category strategy in a growing business and collaborate with industry-leading partners and cross-functional teams.

We offer the following benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Store discount
• Vision care

Apply Now – If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation Range: The range of expected compensation for this role is between 90,000.00 CAD and 112,500.00 CAD salary for a new team member. The rate offered to a successful candidate depends on multiple factors, including geographic location, experience in retail, automotive knowledge, education, leadership roles, and other skillsets ideal for this position and shift differential (if applicable).

Benefits: Carquest Canada offers a comprehensive health and wellness benefits program to improve the way of life for our Team Members and those who mean the most to them: their families. Please review some of our benefit highlights!

• Opportunity to work for one of the largest after-market auto parts provider in North America
• Visibility to career growth opportunities across the entire Advance Auto Parts organization
• Unlock earning potential with monthly or annual performance bonuses—eligibility varies by role.
• Access to a robust online training system for personal or leadership development
• A rewarding organizational culture through our team member recognition program
• Group health, dental, disability and life insurance coverage
• Employee discounts
• Financial benefits including group RRSP with employer contribution and discounted stock purchase plans for all permanent team members