We know what it means to put the customer first—our business is built upon a tradition of exceptional, individualized customer service. Our employees experience the excitement and satisfaction that comes from working for a successful, expanding company where every team member makes a difference and where initiative and hard work are valued and rewarded. We are confident that if you choose to work at ROBINSON, you will be taking your first steps towards a challenging, profitable, and satisfying career.
Reporting to the VP, Showroom Group, the Product Manager, Lighting is responsible for the end-to-end management of assigned lighting categories, including product selection, vendor relationships, sales strategy, assortment planning, product training and performance analysis. This role ensures that the lighting product assortment aligns with the company's strategic objectives, supports the competitive positioning of the showroom, and aligns with expectations of our designer and customer communities.
The Product Manager, Lighting works cross-functionally with internal teams and external vendors to curate and maintain a competitive and curated product assortment to drive an outstanding customer experience and market share growth.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Category Management:
Develop and execute lighting category strategies that support showroom sales, margin, and inventory targets.
Curate product assortments that align with customer preferences, brand positioning, and market trends.
Conduct ongoing market analysis to identify assortment gaps, emerging trends, and competitive opportunities.
Vendor Relationships:
Lead showroom lighting vendor selection and negotiation with key suppliers, manufacturers, and brand partners.
Work with Director of Procurement to negotiate cost, terms, and vendor agreements to optimize profitability.
Evaluate vendor performance on quality, delivery, service, and compliance.
Pricing & Promotion:
Review and recommend lighting pricing strategies that balance margin targets with market competitiveness and brand positioning.
Partner with marketing to develop seasonal and promotional strategies to drive lighting category performance.
Monitor market pricing, competitor activity, and customer response to help inform lighting pricing decisions.
Performance Analysis & Reporting:
Analyze sales, margin, and product SKU performance regularly to identify risks and opportunities.
Develop and share insights and recommendations on lighting category performance.
Adjust assortment, pricing, and promotions based on data-driven insights.
Training and Collaboration:
Work closely with internal teams such as Procurement, Purchasing, Marketing, Branch Managers, and E-Commerce to ensure product and category plans are executed effectively across all branches and channels.
Provide product knowledge and training to internal teams to support sales and customer experience.
WHAT YOU BRING:
Minimum 5 years of experience in product management, category management, and/or merchandising in lighting specialty retail.
Proven ability to identify, build, and sustain strong vendor relationships, including contract negotiation and performance management.
Experience developing and executing visual merchandising strategies across retail and e-commerce channels, with a strong understanding of current trends and best practices.
Strong data analysis skills; capable of identifying key performance indicators, interpreting sales and inventory data, and presenting actionable insights.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas, plans, and product strategies effectively to a variety of stakeholders including vendors, sales teams, and senior leadership.
Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and coordinate cross-functional initiatives.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with merchandising and ERP systems.
Family-owned ROBINSON is a leading Canadian distributor of plumbing, heating, electrical, and lighting products. Today, the company serves customers in the construction industry and retail home improvement markets through a network of 32 distribution warehouses and showrooms in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. ROBINSON’s reputation as a growing company with a customer-service oriented culture continues to attract and retain top quality people and has earned it Platinum status among Canada’s Best Managed Companies. ROBINSON is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We strive to foster an environment that values our differences and believe in giving back to the communities in which we live and work.
Visit our careers site to explore more opportunities with ROBINSON
ROBINSON will provide accommodation for candidates with disabilities throughout our interview and selection process.
Thank you to all interested candidates, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
