Category Advisor

Overview

At OSL Retail Services, we believe people are the heart of everything we do, and it is an exciting time to be part of something special! Our momentum is growing, and is fueled by innovation, collaboration, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit that drives real results. Founded in 2012 in Mississauga, Ontario, OSL delivers customized sales solutions in retail, direct sales, and customer acquisition, all built on a foundation of integrity, respect, and passion. Our culture thrives on connection, purpose, and growth. If you’re looking for a place where your talents are valued, your ideas matter, and your career can grow, we’d love to meet you.

The Opportunity:

The Category Advisor plays a critical role in ensuring inventory is optimized across one of our partner’s locations, effectively balancing product availability with budgetary objectives. We’re seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial thinker with standout analytical skills, critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail, and who can move fast with changing market conditions. This is a high-impact role with a strong analytical focus, designed to drive inventory accuracy, responsiveness, and business results in a dynamic retail environment.

What You’ll Do:

• Own weekly review and analysis of system-generated orders
• Collaborate with client’s replenishment team to adjust forecasts and orders based on store-level performance
• Incorporate carrier constraints and promotions (allocations, device shortages, rate plan changes, spiffs) into forecasting and replenishment decisions
• Evaluate carrier performance and store traits weekly to adjust safe stock settings
• Partner with carrier stakeholders to anticipate launches, promo spikes, and lifecycle risks that impact inventory flow
• Manage MTR (Minimum Target Replenishment) and EOL (End of Life) product transitions
• Manage NPI (New Product Introduction) ramps and exits, ensuring launch readiness, allocation accuracy, and post-launch inventory normalization
• Balance premium vs. entry-tier device mix by store to maximize activations, margin, and inventory productivity
• Identify and mitigate risk from slow-moving SKUs, aged inventory, and carrier‑specific obsolescence
• Perform annual MTR audits by store guiding the process from start to finish
• Monitor and maintain ideal safety stock and inventory turnover per store
• Classify stores (ABC analysis) and adjust replenishment accordingly – weekly
• Suggest and manage shipment frequency adjustments by store
• Lead bi-weekly performance meetings with OSL Senior Sales Leaders
• Resolve inventory escalations from field teams in a timely manner
• Report performance metrics and build custom replenishment strategies using data tools
• Uncover business insights and sales opportunities that will accelerate retail growth
• Complete post-mortem analysis and provide recommendations based on product launches or seasonal timeframes.
• Serve as category advisor to one of our clients by completing weekly reports, projects and ad-hoc requests as required by the client

Who You Are:

• A critical thinker with strong analytical, organizational, and forecasting skills
• Proactive, collaborative, and results-driven
• Detail-oriented and comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Experienced in retail inventory and forecasting analysis
• Excels at building and maintaining strong, multi-level relationships internally and externally based on mutual trust and integrity
• Demonstrate expertise in category management and efficient assortment decisions while influencing to help drive category growth

What you’ve done:

• 3+ years in inventory management and forecasting
• Wireless cell phone experience preferred
• Strong Excel and data visualization skills (., Power BI, Tableau, Domo)
• Experience with ERP, WMS or replenishment systems (experience with Walmart systems assets)
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Experience with ABC classification, MTR strategy, and inventory optimization preferred

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive base salary: $70K-$75K plus bonus
• Generous time off: Start with 3 weeks of vacation, plus extra flex days to recharge.
• Comprehensive benefits package: Includes medical, dental, vision, health spending account, and Teladoc virtual care.
• Retirement support: Company-sponsored savings plan to help build your financial future
• Career growth: Ongoing training, development, and programs to help you advance.
• Award-winning culture: Proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 8 years running - now a Platinum Club member.

The Interview Process:

• Stage 1: If your profile is a match, we will invite you for a first conversation with the recruiter.
• Stage 2: The next step is a virtual conversation with the hiring manager.
• Stage 3: The final step is an in-person interview with the hiring manager and extended team members.