POSITION SUMMARY:
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is seeking an experienced and passionate individual for our Category Manager position. The Category Manager will assist the Merchandising department with a multitude of tasks. Responsibilities include playing a pivotal role in shaping the fanwear product assortment offering and optimizing inventory levels to meet demand. You will collaborate closely with marketing, operations, and finance teams and external vendors to develop compelling merchandise offerings, drive sales, and enhance brand loyalty among our fanbase across the US and Canada, both in venue and online. These responsibilities and tasks will be coordinated with and supervised by the League’s Vice President of Merchandising.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and execute category strategies and product assortments for fanwear, including apparel, accessories, and collectibles, to meet revenue and profitability goals in partnership with the Vice President of Merchandising.
- Conduct market research and analyze consumer trends to identify product opportunities and inform assortment decisions.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including marketing, merchandising, and operations teams, to align assortment strategies with overall business objectives.
- Manage vendor relationships, negotiate terms, and coordinate product development and sourcing activities to ensure timely delivery of high-quality merchandise.
- Develop and maintain inventory plans, including forecasting, replenishment, and allocation strategies, to optimize stock levels and minimize excess inventory.
- Monitor sales performance, inventory turnover, and sell-through rates, and make data-driven recommendations to drive continuous improvement.
- Work closely with the ecommerce team to optimize product listings, pricing strategies, and promotional initiatives to maximize online sales and conversion rates.
- Stay informed about industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage.
- Assists with general administrative tasks and ad hoc projects as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s in business, marketing, or related degree – Required.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in category management, merchandising, or inventory planning, preferably in the retail Industry.
- Experience in the sports and entertainment industry – Preferred.
- Strong understanding of demand planning.
- Must be proficient with computers and MS Office programs.
SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER ATTRIBUTES:
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, generate insights, and make strategic decisions.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills, able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in using inventory management systems, Excel, and other analytics tools.
- Highly motivated to continuously learn and improve department processes.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Possess a strong confidentiality ability skill set, with a demonstrated track record of handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Ability to work long, irregular hours and weekends as dictated by event schedules and project timetables.
- Passion for sports and/or women's empowerment is a plus.
EEOC: The Professional Women’s Hockey League is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
