Category Director- Sporting Goods

Mid-States Distributing Company - Fort Worth, TX

Full-time - Senior

Fort Worth, TX

501-1,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Category Director for Sporting Goods at Mid-States Distributing is a senior-level role responsible for managing the overall strategy and profitability of the Sporting Goods categories. This position requires extensive experience in the sporting goods industry, with a focus on developing go-to-market strategies, managing vendor relationships, and driving private brand initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and a strategic thinker, capable of analyzing market trends and consumer insights to enhance sales and category performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage overall strategy for the Sporting Goods categories.
• 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 brand portfolio for our members, competitive pricing and programs, and industry best Show Specials at our 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.

Requirements

• 10 years experience in the Sporting Goods category.
• 5+ years working directly with the category director function.
• 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.