Overview In this category-focused role at Academy Sports + Outdoors, you drive sales, inventory, and category performance to support business goals. You'll lead category management processes, analyze data, and align decisions with financial targets, shaping strategies that impact customer experience and outcomes. You collaborate with merchandising, eCommerce, and sourcing to ensure aligned assortments and promotions. This is a hands-on, cross-functional position with a strong emphasis on vendor relationships and market awareness.
Responsibilities- Drive sales, inventory, and category performance
- Lead category management processes and data-driven decision making
- Estimate and align strategies with financial goals
- Guide product lifecycles and negotiate vendor terms
- Stay connected to market dynamics and cross-functional collaboration
- Collaborate with merchandising, eCommerce, and sourcing to align assortment and promotions
- Balance strategy with hands-on execution and problem solving
Key requirements- 5+ years of retail or customer service experience
- Bachelor or equivalent experience
- Strong communication and problem solving
- Ability to analyze and interpret complex data
- Experience managing multiple categories in a fast-paced environment
- Mentoring or coaching experience
- Ability to develop strong vendor relationships
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Team-first attitude and flexibility to support where needed
- Up to 15% travel; flexible hours; regular in-office attendance; ability to meet policy and professional standards
- Strong communication
- Problem solving
- Mentoring or coaching
- Team collaboration
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Data analysis
