Category Director (Merchandise) - WSS

Foot Locker•Los Angeles, CA

9d•$170,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Director for WSS leads the end-to-end strategy, performance, and growth of assigned merchandise categories across retail stores. The role builds consumer-driven assortments, optimizes financial performance, and drives category innovation in support of broader merchandising and retail strategies. Working closely with the Sr. Director of Buying, the Category Director aligns category plans with company goals, marketplace trends, and customer expectations. This is a hybrid position based at the WSS office, with an in-office schedule of three days per week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The role leads and develops Buyers and Assistant Buyers, manages category P&L performance across B&M and ECOM channels, and collaborates with internal teams and external vendors to execute category strategies.

Responsibilities

Develop and own long-term category strategy, including assortment architecture, pricing, promotional planning, and vendor partnerships.
Analyze market trends, competitive conditions, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and category risks.
Translate strategic direction from the Sr. Director of Buying into actionable category plans and initiatives.
Build and manage a consumer-centric assortment balancing innovation, productivity, and profitability.
Oversee SKU productivity, product lifecycle management, and seasonal transitions to support optimal inventory flow.
Partner with Planning and Allocation to ensure inventory levels support sales, margin, and turn goals.
Lead vendor negotiations, manage terms and joint business planning, and pursue margin, exclusivity, and differentiation opportunities.
Build relationships with key brand partners to secure priority products, marketing support, and collaborative growth opportunities.
Evaluate new vendors and product opportunities for alignment with category strategy.
Own category P&L performance, including sales, margin, turn, and inventory productivity across B&M and ECOM channels.
Develop and manage annual financial plans, in-season forecasts, and performance recaps.
Improve profitability through pricing, promotions, and assortment optimization.
Partner with Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Store Operations, and eCommerce to ensure cohesive execution across channels.
Collaborate with Planning, Allocation, and Supply Chain on efficient product flow and timely delivery.
Work with the Sr. Director of Buying to align category direction with the overall merchandising vision.
Coordinate with Marketing, Store Operations, and Visual Merchandising to communicate category vision and assortment plans to customers and support financial plans.
Maintain positive internal and external relationships, including with vendors, warehouse, Planning & Allocation, Store Operations, Finance, and Marketing.
Communicate professionally and respond with timely, accurate information.
Lead, mentor, and develop Buyers and Assistant Buyers, fostering accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
Set clear goals, coach team members, and support career development within the merchandising organization.