Team Sports Category Manager — Venum
Location: New York, New York | In-Office
Type: Full-Time
Reports to: North America General Manager (GM) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
WHO WE ARE
Venum is the #1 combat sports brand in the world, trusted by elite athletes and worn across the UFC, gyms, and training communities worldwide. We design performance apparel and equipment that represent power, precision, and identity.
2026 marks a major expansion phase for Venum USA. While maintaining our global leadership in combat sports, we are accelerating growth into Team Sports, building a dedicated U.S. organization to serve schools, clubs, leagues, and fan communities nationwide.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are hiring a Team Sports Category Manager to lead the strategic development, product roadmap, and go-to-market execution for Venum’s U.S. Team Sports business.
This role is for a builder — someone who understands school and club ecosystems, performance apparel, and team buying behavior. You are equal parts strategist and operator, capable of shaping product assortments while executing at the ground level with sales, marketing, and operations.
You will own the Team Sports category end-to-end and play a critical role in establishing Venum as a credible and competitive brand in Football, Flag Football, 7v7, and Wrestling.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
Category Ownership & Strategy
- Own the Team Sports category strategy for the U.S. market.
- Define multi-year and seasonal roadmaps aligned with revenue, margin, and brand goals.
- Build a clear market positioning for Venum in Team Sports while maintaining combat-sport DNA.
Product Roadmap & Assortment Development
- Lead product assortment planning across:
- Football (tackle, flag, 7v7)
- Wrestling
- Team fan gear and spirit wear
- Define product specs, pricing, margin targets, and lifecycle plans.
- Partner with Product Design and Global Product teams to ensure U.S. -specific fit, design, and performance standards.
- Ensure assortments are relevant to U.S. schools, clubs, and leagues — not adapted European collections.
Customization & Team Program Development
- Lead the development of customizable team uniforms and apparel.
- Define standards for colorways, logos, player names and numbers, and bulk ordering workflows.
- Partner with E-commerce and Operations to ensure customization programs are scalable and operationally sound.
Go-To-Market & Commercial Execution
- Partner with Sales, E-commerce, and Marketing to bring Team Sports products to market through:
- Direct-to-school and club programs
- Regional agents and in-house reps
- Venum.com team customization platforms
- Select retail and pro shop partners
- Support sell-in, sell-through, and seasonal planning.
Commercial Ownership & Revenue Accountability
- Own and be accountable for the commercial performance and revenue growth of the Team Sports category in the U.S.
- Support and drive commercial execution in partnership with sales teams, agents, and key accounts.
- Engage directly with schools, clubs, leagues, and strategic partners to support category adoption and growth.
- Ensure category strategies translate into measurable revenue results.
This role carries direct responsibility for achieving aggressive commercial objectives. Performance will be evaluated based on the ability to deliver sustained revenue growth and market penetration.
School, Club & League Ecosystem Expertise
- Build deep understanding of U.S. team sports ecosystems, including high school athletic departments, clubs, and leagues.
- Identify key buying cycles, decision-makers, and budget timelines.
- Ensure Venum programs meet the practical needs of coaches, athletes, and administrators.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
- North America GM and COO for strategic direction and performance targets
- Marketing Director to establish Team Sports brand credibility
- E-commerce Director to scale team customization platforms
- Product Design and Global Product teams
- Logistics and Operations teams
- Sales reps, agents, and external partners across the U.S.
WHAT YOU BRING
- 7–12+ years of experience in Team Sports, performance apparel, or sporting goods
- Direct experience working with schools, clubs, or leagues
- Strong understanding of team uniform programs and customization workflows
- Proven ability to build and scale a category in a competitive market
- Strong cross-functional leadership and project management skills
- Commercially minded, execution-focused, and results-driven
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Venum establishes credibility and momentum in U.S. Team Sports
- Strong adoption of team uniform and fan gear programs
- Scalable customization and fulfillment workflows
- Sustainable revenue growth and healthy margins
- Strong alignment across product, marketing, sales, and operations
- Team Sports becomes a meaningful growth pillar for Venum USA
WHY VENUM
- Build a new category for the #1 combat sports brand in the world
- Shape the future of Venum’s Team Sports business in the U.S.
- Work in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment
- Direct influence on product, brand, and commercial strategy
- Be part of Venum’s most ambitious expansion phase yet
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This role will be compensated with a good-faith pay range of $120,000 – $145,000. This range represents the minimum and maximum base pay the company reasonably expects to offer for this role at the time of posting. Final base pay will depend on several factors, including the applicant’s qualifications, relevant experience, education, certifications or professional licenses, and overall performance throughout the interview process.
This role may offer the following benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and a 401(k) matching program. This role may also be eligible for an annual performance-based bonus award. This role includes paid personal time off and 14 paid company holidays. Venum offers paid sick time in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.
The Company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, genetic information, arrest or conviction record (consistent with the New York City Fair Chance Act and applicable law), domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The Company prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind and is committed to maintaining a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
A job description for this position is available and has been provided as part of the job posting. The duties and responsibilities described in the job description are intended to outline the general nature and level of work expected for this role and may be modified by the Company as needed based on business requirements. The job description does not limit the Company’s ability to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities, or reporting relationships, and may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in the role or the needs of the business.
