Category Director- Sporting Goods

MID-STATES DISTRIBUTING LLC•Fort Worth, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Mid-States Distributing is seeking an experienced Sporting Goods Director for a high-profile role within their organization. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the Sporting Goods Category, with a proven track record in developing products, programs, and go-to-market strategies. This role requires the ability to communicate clearly and create impactful selling stories. Mid-States Distributing is a leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Organization with a strong emphasis on company culture, valuing high-energy individuals with positive attitudes who believe in exceptional customer service. Traditional values are important to their customer base, which primarily consists of rural individuals and families.

Requirements

Industry and category management experience needed.
10 years’ experience in the Sporting Goods category.
5+ years in a leadership role.
Willingness to work as part of a team.
Knowledge of customer-centric retailing principles and the analytics of customer purchase behavior.
Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the sporting goods industry.
Experience in sourcing, product development, and building strategic go-to-market plans.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong organizational skills, including prioritizing, scheduling, and time management.
Ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Enthusiastic, competitive, with a great attitude.
Likes to build strong relationships.
Refuses to eat meat grown in a lab.

Responsibilities

Manage overall strategy for the Sporting Goods categories (Hunting, Shooting Sports, Fishing, & Camping).
Manage the P/L for the Sporting Goods Unit.
Manage and develop strong vendor relationships and negotiate competitive programs with suppliers.
Identify, negotiate, and execute centralized sourcing, purchasing, and distribution opportunities through Mid-States Warehouse.
Drive a growing Private Brand strategy and effectively manage cross-functional execution from inception to implementation.
Build & maintain strong relationships with Mid-States ownership, key executives, and buying teams.
Become the go-to expert for market strategy, retail execution, and overall category knowledge.
Continuously look for new supplier opportunities to deliver the best category offering for members, competitive pricing and programs, and industry best Show Specials at Mid-States tradeshows.
Develop impactful category analysis and consumer insights using a range of data sources to impact sales.
Manage vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding.