Senior Manager, Product Development at Central Alberta Co-op Ltd.

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is hiring a Senior Manager, Product Development on a permanent basis on our Shared Services team. 

This position is a hybrid opportunity and can be based out of any of our region offices in Western Canada. Preference will be given to candidates who live in Saskatoon, SK. Candidates who are not located in Saskatoon must have experience leading teams in a remote environment and must be willing to travel to Saskatoon a few times per quarter. 

Are you a strategic leader with a talent for cross-functional collaboration and a sharp eye for vendor and cost management? Do you bring a forward-thinking approach to product development and thrive in dynamic environments? If so, this could be the ideal opportunity for you!

We’re seeking a strategic leader who can guide the Store Brands Product Development team through its next phase of growth. This role requires more than product development expertise – it demands someone who can build and lead team structures, develop scalable processes, and create the systems and tools that enable high-performing execution across categories.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and mentor a team of Product Development Specialists, setting performance goals and aligning efforts with business objectives.
• Build and optimize processes that support innovation, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration across the Consumer Products business unit.
• Oversee vendor relationships, negotiate costs, manage production standards, and implement cost-saving strategies to maintain profitability.
• Direct the development and design of store brand products, ensuring quality, brand alignment, and customer satisfaction.
• Act as a strategic partner to Category Management, managing stakeholder expectations and promoting best practices in vendor and product execution.
• Analyze market trends and performance metrics to guide strategic planning, improve operations, and identify growth opportunities.
• Shape the systems and structure needed to support long-term growth and operational excellence across the Store Brands portfolio.

Who you’ll work with:
The Team: You will lead a team of Senior Product Development Specialists and will report into the Director, Consumer Shared Services. This team strives to cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, and strategy. 

The Collaborators: You will work closely with other functions in our Consumer Products business unit including the category management team, replenishment team, and packaging design team.

The Customers: You will demonstrate customer focus while supporting our local Co-ops. 

Why it matters:
We help local Co-ops serve their communities by providing support and leadership to food, pharmacy, liquor and convenience stores, and by delivering quality products and exemplary customer service.

Who you are:
You are looking for a career in Product Development & Store Brands and:

• 8+ years of management experience with relevant experience in private label and/or product development and sourcing.
• A Bachelor of Commerce with a preference for marketing (a combination of relevant education and experience may be considered).
• Proven experience in leading teams and building operational frameworks.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into scalable systems.
• Strong understanding of private label product development, ideally within food or CPG.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, vendor management, and cost optimization.
• Ability to identify gaps, design solutions, and empower teams to deliver results.

What we offer:

• Competitive salaries, short-term incentives, a comprehensive benefits package, and an employer-contributed pension plan.
• Encouragement to take advantage of learning opportunities to grow and develop as a Team Member. 
• As a co-operative, we do business differently. We believe in working together to serve Western Canadians, delivering profits back to our communities and investing in sustainable growth. To learn more about who we are and what we offer, visit www.fcl.crs.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process to ensure an enjoyable candidate experience. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, we invite you to submit your requests to us via [email protected]. All information received will be kept confidential.

If this opportunity speaks to you, we invite you to apply by October 21, 2025.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however only those selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted.  FCLHP

As this position is considered a position of trust, you may be required to complete criminal record check in accordance with FCL policies. 

FCL embraces diversity and inclusion. We’re working to create a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve and an environment where every team member brings their whole self to work. We believe all candidates should feel at home with us and be given the opportunity to fully participate during the recruitment process.

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