Category Manager - Apparel

Fleet Farm Careers•Appleton, WI

About The Position

Fleet Farm is seeking an experienced Apparel Category Manager to lead its clothing and accessories categories. This role involves shaping strategy, product assortment, and customer experience across both stores and online platforms. The Category Manager will blend fashion insight with analytical rigor to build assortments that drive sales, maximize profitability, and strengthen the Fleet Farm brand. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact at an established and growing retailer known for quality, value, and community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, or related field (or equivalent experience).
3–5 years in apparel category management, buying, or merchandising, ideally within a multi-channel retail environment.
Strong understanding of apparel trends, product lifecycle management, size curves, and seasonal planning.
Proficient in sales analysis, P&L management, and retail performance metrics.
Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels of the organization.
A balance of fashion intuition and financial discipline — with the ability to turn data and trends into actionable merchandising decisions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with merchandising systems or ERP tools a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute category strategies for men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel that align with company goals, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive profitability.
Identify and source products that balance trend, quality, and value, ensuring the right mix of basics, lifestyle wear, and seasonal fashion.
Use data and market insights to evaluate category performance, pricing, and promotions, and continuously refine assortments and strategies to achieve growth and margin goals.
Build vendor partnerships, negotiate contracts, and secure competitive pricing to optimize product cost and profitability.
Collaborate with Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Inventory Management to ensure cohesive presentation, accurate forecasting, and timely replenishment.
Drive the development and performance of Fleet Farm’s private label apparel lines through assortment planning, pricing strategy, and promotional programs.
Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback to anticipate shifts in demand and shape future assortments.
Set and achieve sales, gross margin, and inventory targets while maintaining optimal merchandise turnover and stock levels.