Evan Fougere
Halifax,Canada
Summary
Dynamic Associate Category Manager at Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation with expertise in data analytics and strategic execution. Proven track record in enhancing category health through collaborative promotional planning and supplier relationship management. Passionate about delivering retail excellence and leveraging insights to drive impactful retail strategies.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Category Manager
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Halifax, Canada
06.2023 - Current
- Optimizing and executing merchandising strategies/tactics and programs to ensure our category health objectives are achieved.
- Leveraging a data driven and insights-led approach to make decisions on category management fundamentals like merchandising, assortment, pricing and shelving.
- Working collaboratively within the business to ensure the proper execution of our annual promotional plan, listing of articles, and supply chain load-in and replenishment.
- Working with our store teammates, key business units and our suppliers to identify, monitor, and resolve issues.
- Developing and maintaining relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure that the organization maximizes all business opportunities available.
- Participating in the annual planning process (Joint Business Plans) with supplier partners to assist in building a comprehensive category plan that will achieve overall category health objectives.
- Provide expertise to the business on category behaviours and trends through ongoing category analytics and insights from both NSLC and supplier partners data packs.
- Participating in all aspects of our category and pricing reviews.
Beer Educator
Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers
Halifax, Canada
12.2017 - Current
- Created a 16-hour course covering beer history, ingredients, brewing process, beer service, sensory evaluation, and beer styles of the four prominent brewing regions.
- Facilitated course for sommelier students, hobbyists, brewery, and hospitality staff.
Education Specialist
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Halifax, Canada
02.2021 - 06.2023
- Worked collaboratively within the business to meet learning and development needs for operations through including foundational and supplemental product knowledge strategies and a brand-new orientation program for our Retail Product Specialists.
- Provided timely educational solutions for various issues arising in retail under strict deadlines, such as product quality issues, the removal of Russian-produced products, and the product shortages of the 2021 holiday season.
- Lead ongoing employee development strategy as a subject matter expert for a retail network of 110 stores based on category goals and gaps found in our retail shopper insights.
- Collaborated with cross-functional, category teams, and suppliers on educational initiatives in support of category strategies such as Meet the Brewers, Tidal Bay Roundtables, Harvest Helpers, and more.
- Worked collaboratively with category teams to develop physical job aids that combine product knowledge and service standards to serve our retail team members.
- Facilitated product knowledge education sessions & events for retail team members.
Beverage Alcohol Education Coordinator
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Halifax, Canada
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Worked collaboratively within the business to meet learning and development needs for operations through unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and leveraged supplier partners relationships to deliver category product knowledge virtually.
- Identified learning objectives through assessment and proposed and developed appropriate solutions that best addressed needs.
- Built interactive and engaging online learning using e-learning authoring tools, including our revamped foundational Product Knowledge training for all new retail team members.
- Functioned as an NSLC administrator for the Learning Management System (LMS) and the Learning inbox.
Retail Product Specialist
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Dartmouth, Canada
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Engaged customers to highlight product/food pairing suggestions; product promotions; new listings; and alternate or complementary product choices.
- Acting Manager duties including opening, closing, and store ordering.
- Supported co-workers by coaching and educating them on effective selling skills and product knowledge.
- Ensured store displays, signage and merchandising reflect current promotional themes and meet operating standards.
- Organized team and customer product tastings.
Retail Store Clerk
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
Halifax, Canada
05.2012 - 08.2018
- Met customer needs through delivering exceptional customer service.
- Acting Manager duties including opening, closing, and store ordering.
- Stocked, rotated, and maintained inventory levels.
- Trained in handling transactions through a POS cash system.
- Operated a forklift safely and responsibly.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Law in Society & Psychology
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, NB05.2015
WSET Level 2 Wines -
Independent Wine Education Guild
Toronto, ON11.2022
David Sobey Centre Category Management Program -
Sobey School of Business
Halifax, NS01.2022
Certified Cider Professional -
American Cider Association
Portland, OR08.2020
Certified Cicerone -
Cicerone Certification Program
Chicago, IL05.2018
Skills
- Data analytics and insights
- Strategic development and execution
- Collaboration skills
- Planning and organization
- Problem solving
- Verbal and written communication
- Retail excellence
- Attention to detail
- Beverage alcohol knowledge
- Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency
- Supplier relationship management
- Promotional planning
- Pricing strategy
Pronouns
He/Him
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Category Manager
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
06.2023 - Current
Education Specialist
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
02.2021 - 06.2023
Beverage Alcohol Education Coordinator
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
08.2020 - 02.2021
Retail Product Specialist
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
08.2018 - 08.2020
Beer Educator
Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers
12.2017 - Current
Retail Store Clerk
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation
05.2012 - 08.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Law in Society & Psychology
University of New Brunswick
WSET Level 2 Wines -
Independent Wine Education Guild
David Sobey Centre Category Management Program -
Sobey School of Business
Certified Cider Professional -
American Cider Association
Certified Cicerone -
Cicerone Certification Program
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