Category Manager - Sports
Role Overview
Lead end-to-end management of assigned Sports categories, driving sales growth, profitability, and market share while optimizing inventory and assortment.
Develop category strategies, product ranges, pricing, and promotions aligned with customer demand, brand positioning, and business objectives.
Lead and coach Buying and Merchandising teams and work with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Skills for This Role
Full Job Posting
Role summary
Lead end-to-end management of assigned Sports categories, driving sales growth, profitability, and market share while optimizing inventory and assortment.
Develop category strategies, product ranges, pricing, and promotions aligned with customer demand, brand positioning, and business objectives.
Lead and coach Buying and Merchandising teams and work with internal and external stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
- Own category strategy and commercial priorities; lead assortment planning, product selection, pricing, lifecycle management, and inventory optimization.
- Analyze market trends, competitors, and customer insights; plan and oversee promotions and campaigns to improve sales, margin, and stock health.
- Guide Buying and Merchandising teams and manage supplier performance, negotiations, commercial terms, contracts, and service levels.
- Use SAP, Power BI, and category systems to track performance and take corrective action; balance availability, stock productivity, and working capital.
- Partner with Logistics and Supply Chain on product flow and supply risks; present performance reviews and business cases to senior leaders.
- Coordinate cross-functionally on pricing, promotions, space, and investment decisions; improve category processes and ways of working.
- Set objectives, KPIs, and development plans for direct reports; coach teams, review performance, and develop talent and succession plans.
Functional competencies
- Expertise in category management, assortment planning, and retail pricing strategies.
- Strong analytics skills and proficiency with SAP, Power BI, and Excel.
- Advanced capability in inventory optimization, demand analysis, and range productivity.
- Strong negotiation, strategic planning, commercial acumen, organization, and multitasking skills.
Experience and qualifications
- 7 years in category management and 5 years in sports retail.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business or Supply Chain Management; postgraduate degree is advantageous.
- Proficiency in SAP ERP and category-management tools; SAP and Power BI certification is listed.
- Experience in supplier negotiations and supplier, contract, and inventory management.
- Proven category leadership with significant sales and margin contribution, and advanced retail performance-metrics experience.
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