Category Manager

Role overview

The Category Manager is an important member of McCain’s North America Go-To-Market team and acts as a reliable category advisor for both internal stakeholders and external customers. The role combines strategic planning with strong execution, using data and market intelligence to turn category information into clear stories and practical business recommendations. It helps define channel and customer strategies that improve category results, deepen customer relationships, and support strong growth for McCain in the US market.

Key responsibilities

• Offer category leadership and insights that shape McCain’s annual operating plan, commercial direction, and channel plans across North America.
• Build and refine category reporting to uncover opportunities early, support quarterly business reviews, and guide portfolio, innovation, and gap analysis from a go-to-market perspective.
• Work closely with go-to-market channel leaders and customer-facing cross-functional teams to define the category elements of Joint Business Plans and Customer Growth Plans.
• Convert channel strategies into customer-specific action plans covering listings, distribution, assortment, pricing, promotions, space, and layout decisions.
• Lead the creation, rollout, and follow-up of category execution plans that improve customer engagement and support durable commercial growth.
• Partner with channel leads, culinary teams, and sales analytics groups to deliver tailored category solutions that help the business and the category grow.
• Track and assess sales execution performance at category, channel, and North America levels to guide target setting and planning.
• Provide practical commercial insights and analysis to help management make informed decisions and support execution in market.
• Maintain compliance with commercial controls, processes, and governance requirements to ensure sales execution remains consistent and coordinated.
• Present category results, insights, and action plans to channel managers, channel leaders, and sales partners.

Requirements

• A university degree is required.
• At least 5 years of progressive commercial experience in the US market.
• Background in a global organization is needed; experience in the food industry is strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial capability, including data analysis, planning, forecasting, and performance tracking.
• Ability to convert data and insights into clear, persuasive business recommendations.
• Proven influence skills across all levels of a matrixed organization.
• An entrepreneurial, hands-on, and practical problem-solving approach.
• Excellent storytelling, communication, and presentation abilities.
• Comfort with ambiguity, adaptability, and a resilient mindset.
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Alignment with McCain’s values, leadership principles, and culture of humility.

Team and work environment

This position is part of the North America Go-To-Market team and partners across Sales, Marketing, Culinary, Analytics, and Channel Leadership. It operates in a highly collaborative matrix environment and helps connect category strategy with customer execution across several channels.

Leadership principles

McCain’s leaders are expected to follow four core principles: understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to deliver results.

Work model

McCain values in-person collaboration while also offering flexibility. Most office-based roles use a hybrid model with the option to work remotely two days per week. Some exceptions may apply depending on role and location, and candidates should confirm details with a recruiter.

Compensation

The target pay range for this role is USD 81,600 to USD 108,900 per year, plus bonus eligibility. Final compensation will depend on experience, skills, education, training, and broader organizational needs.

Benefits

Employees may be eligible for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, retirement savings benefits, and leave support such as medical, family, and bereavement leave. Well-being offerings include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteer time, and mental health resources. Coverage depends on country, provincial, and state plans, as well as job level, location, and role type.

Additional information

This posting is for an existing vacancy. McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. The company is an accessible employer and will provide accommodation during the recruitment process if needed. Personal information submitted during hiring is handled in line with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy. McCain also uses AI in hiring, but final decisions are made by people.

About McCain

McCain is a family-owned global company that values authenticity, trust, inclusion, and teamwork. The organization emphasizes learning, growth, and strong relationships, and believes in building a workplace where people can thrive together.

Role details

Job family: Sales. Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.