Overview
Category Manager – Sporting Goods (Hybrid Role) Jobs in Burlington, Ontario at JRoss Retail Recruiters
Title: Category Manager – Sporting Goods (Hybrid Role)
Company: JRoss Retail Recruiters
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC) is a member-owned buying group representing over 200 retail locations across Canada and the U.S. The SDC head office is located in Burlington, Ontario, operating a general sporting goods division under the brand Source for Sports® and an outdoor division under the brand Source for Adventure®. They understand that sports mean everything to their patrons, and they are dedicated to offering the right equipment, advice, and expertise to help them excel. If you are passionate about sports and are ready to make an impact, we invite you to join our team as a Category Manager of Footwear & Sporting Goods. You will be responsible for managing the entire product lifecycle, from selection and procurement to pricing and promotions. We are looking for a candidate with a deep understanding of the sporting goods industry, a knack for trend analysis, and a proven track record in category management.
If you’re ready to bring your passion for sports and category management expertise to a dynamic team, apply now and be a part of our client’s mission to do everything they can to help find what fits the game of each and every customer that visits them. This is a hybrid role.
DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
Vendor Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for existing vendor partners within the assigned category.
Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee categories throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial “go-to-market” planning to end-of-lifecycle markdowns and delisting.
Assortment Optimization: Optimize product assortment for the assigned categories, with a focus on maximizing membership profitability.
Data Analysis: Analyze financial data to provide fact-based insights into trends, seasonality, promotions, challenges, and opportunities. Leverage data to develop stronger programs and source new category vendors in alignment with trends.
Vendor Negotiations: Negotiate policy agreements with vendor partners, including discounts, costing, payment and freight terms, volume rebates, brand development, and co-op advertising. Monitor and take appropriate action on vendor performance.
Collaboration: Collaborate independently and with store committees to develop product listings and go-to-market strategies.
Vendor Information Management: Maintain and communicate all vendor information, including product launches and calendars, while ensuring accurate processing of product data for assigned categories.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with key internal stakeholders (Marketing, IT, Buying, Accounting) to gather best practices, expertise, and experiences, ensuring the smooth implementation of buying strategies/initiatives for assigned categories.
Warehouse Programs: Develop and replenish warehouse programs for assigned categories to optimize cost of goods and service levels.
Exclusive Products: Create Source Exclusive products in select categories that align with strategic goals and differentiate the members’ offerings.
Marketing Coordination: Manage communication processes with Marketing and Website teams regarding planned promotions, product launches, markdowns, and product removal from the website.
Advertising Planning: Plan advertising initiatives in coordination with key stakeholders (Marketing, Committees) and communicate these plans to vendor partners.
Presentations: Deliver presentations to key stakeholders, including Members and Senior Management.
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