Category Manager - Sports

Role Summary

The role holder is responsible for leading end-to-end category management for the assigned Sports categories, driving sales growth, profitability, and market share while optimizing inventory and assortment. The position develops and executes category strategies, ensuring that product ranges, pricing, and promotions align with customer demand, brand positioning, and overall business objectives. The Category Manager leads and coaches the Buying and Merchandising teams, partnering with key internal and external stakeholders to maintain and strengthen the company’s leadership position in sports retail.

Role Responsibilities

• Own the category strategy for assigned Sports categories, defining vision, positioning, and commercial priorities in line with overall business goals.

• Lead assortment planning and execution, including product selection, pricing, life-cycle management, and inventory optimization for all relevant channels and store clusters.

• Conduct in-depth market and customer analysis, including trends, competitor activity, and consumer insights, to shape short- and long-term category plans.

• Develop and oversee promotional and campaign plans to maximize category sales, margin, and stock health, aligned with seasonal and brand opportunities.

• Lead and guide Buying and Merchandising teams to ensure assortments meet customer expectations and reflect the desired brand and category positioning.

• Monitor supplier performance, negotiate commercial terms and contracts, and secure competitive pricing, trading conditions, and service levels.

• Use tools such as SAP, Power BI, and category management systems to track performance, identify improvement areas, and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels by balancing product availability, stock productivity, and working capital targets across the category.

• Partner with Logistics and Supply Chain to ensure smooth product flow, managing risks around lead times, availability, and supply chain disruptions.

• Prepare and present comprehensive category performance reviews and business cases to senior leadership, providing clear insights and recommendations.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Retail Operations, Finance, and other functions to align on pricing, promotions, space, and investment decisions.

• Drive continuous improvement in category processes and ways of working, leveraging data and team input to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Set clear objectives, KPIs, and development plans for direct reports, ensuring alignment with category and organizational targets.

• Provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance reviews to build team capabilities in buying, merchandising, and analysis.

• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture, encouraging innovation, accountability, and cross-functional teamwork.

• Identify and develop talent pipelines and succession plans within the category team.

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Expert in category management, assortment planning, and retail pricing strategies

• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analytics tools, including SAP, Power BI, and Excel.

• Advanced capability in inventory optimization, demand analysis, and range productivity management.

• Exceptional negotiation and strategic planning skills, with strong commercial acumen.

• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, managing multiple categories, seasons, and projects

Experience / Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business. Degree in Supply Chain Management. Certification in SAP and Power BI. Proficiency in category management tools. Postgraduate degree is advantageous.

• 7 years in category management. 5 years in sports retail.

• Proficiency in SAP ERP tools.

• Experience in supplier negotiations.

• Proven track record in leading categories with significant sales and margin contribution.

• Demonstrated experience in supplier management, negotiations, and contract management.

• Advanced experience with inventory optimization and retail performance metrics.