Bauer: Associate Category Manager, Skates

Associate Category Manager, Skates

Working at Bauer is like playing on a hockey team. We empower each other to be our best. Everyone on the team has an important role to play. You might be leading others or collaborating with teammates on a big project. Whatever your title, you are part of something bigger than yourself.

Founded in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate. Since then, our passion for the game, drive for innovation, and commitment to the hockey community have made us the most trusted brand in hockey.

Our purpose at Bauer is to enrich life experiences through sports. We have the responsibility to cultivate the future of our brands. We are always "we" and never "I". We love what we do. We believe anything is possible and work to be our best. We strive to always redefine the standard of excellence in all that we do.

Want to join our team as an Associate Category Manager, Skates?

The Associate Category Manager role is responsible for assisting with execution, commercialization, and ongoing support of the Bauer Skates product lines. Reporting to the Category Director, Skates, the Associate Category Manager will assist with driving the product lifecycle, collaborate with cross-functional teams to align and execute the seasonal category plans and drive category go-to-market strategy and planning for both new and existing products. The successful candidate will analyze consumer research and insights, brand tracking data, sales information, and projections to develop and execute marketing plans.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

• Assist with managing the entire product lifecycle, including attaining volume, profit, margin dollars, market share and ensuring execution is in line with strategic plan.
• Assist the Category Director, Skates in creating 4-year category strategy and seasonal objectives.
• Be the consumer insights and competitive market industry specialist to drive product line strategy and brand growth.
• Validate selling stories, features, benefits and final product direction through consumer insight collection.
• Develop a deep understanding of business dynamics, retailer trends & challenges, to identify growth opportunities.
• Partner with cross functional teams to execute the seasonal product plans for the skate category, including sales, marketing, product development, logistics & supply and demand planning.
• Assist with the creation of product briefs outlining product performance requirements, target costs, wholesale and retail pricing, and unit forecasts.
• Lead and participate in category launch team meetings.
• Attend and participate in bi-annual sales meetings and partner summits.

Qualifications:

• BS or BA in Marketing, Business or related field- or equivalent years of relevant and related experience.
• Minimum 2-3 years of category management experience, leading product assortments and execution.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presenting to Leadership and cross-functional partners, formally and informally.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with the proven ability to translate insights into actionable plans.
• A catalyst who moves ideas forward and excels at influencing and communicating across a large organization.
• Strong information seeking skills and detail oriented with ability to seek creative viable solutions to any situation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• General understanding of other business applications (SAP).
• Knowledge of AI and capabilities of AI.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a diverse group.
• Knowledge of the hockey industry and a core understanding of the consumer preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, with expected travel of up to 25%.

We are committed to employing a diverse workforce and are an equal opportunity employer.