Category Manager- Apparel

Pure Hockey is a privately-owned specialty sporting goods company with 80 hockey retail stores and 2 e-commerce businesses. Positioned as the number one hockey retail company in the country, the company offers qualified candidates the opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-growing business.

The Apparel Category Manager is responsible for managing the procurement and sale of apparel for Pure Hockey. This position also develops and maintains a high level of industry, customer, and product knowledge. The Apparel Buyer is responsible for developing and executing merchandise strategy, assortment plans, vendor strategy, ordering, and inventory management. This position is responsible for delivering sales, margin, and inventory turn to plan.

Responsibilities

• Manage vendor relationships including negotiating pricing and terms, determining product assortments and resolving conflicts.
• Oversee life cycle of product assortments from item set up to liquidation.
• Work with Inventory Planners on pre-season analysis and building/updating forecasting tool assumptions and trends.
• Analyze inventory and forecasts to determine additional product needs, return or liquidate slow selling goods and cancellations with vendors.
• Supports the development and execution of merchandising strategies and business objectives for assigned category that meet or exceed financial goals
• Analyze and create recommendations regarding item trends, seasonal updates, and product supply issue
• In store presence to work with visual merchandising, gain insights into business by location, and motivate selling teams

• At least 3 years’ experience in apparel merchandising, category management or supply chain management.
• Strong understanding of retail math including analyzing margins, mark-ups, turn and profit/item.
• Proficient in MS Excel, including knowledge of pivot tables, vlookups and advanced data analysis.
• Hockey knowledge/experience preferred
• Ability to manage an Open-To-Buy (OTB).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively, a self-motivator
• Ability to handle multiple projects at once without sacrificing attention to detail

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision & Disability Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Plan
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Employee Discount

PM20