Category Director- Sporting Goods

Mid-States Distributing, LLC; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid-States Distributing, LLC is seeking an experienced Sporting Goods Director for a key role within its organization. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in the Sporting Goods category and a background in leadership. You will be responsible for managing the overall strategy for various Sporting Goods categories, developing vendor relationships, and executing private brand strategies.

If you're motivated and thrive in a dynamic culture, this is your opportunity to join a leading retail organization with extensive market presence.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in the Sporting Goods category, 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Knowledge of current trends in the sporting goods industry.

Responsibilities

• Manage overall strategy for the Sporting Goods categories.
• Develop strong vendor relationships and negotiate competitive programs.
• Drive a growing private brand strategy and manage execution.

Skills

Industry and category management experience

10 years of experience in the Sporting Goods category

5+ years in a leadership role

Ability to work as part of a team

Knowledge of customer-centric retailing principles

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong organizational skills

Job description

Mid‑States Distributing is the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Organization with 700 stores across the US and combined annual sales exceeding 7.5 billion dollars. We retail a wide range of agricultural and home products and are in search of motivated, high‑energy individuals who thrive in a dynamic, positive culture.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Sporting Goods Director for a high‑profile role within our organization. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the Sporting Goods category and in developing products, programs, and go‑to‑market strategies. Must be able to communicate clearly and create impactful selling stories.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage overall strategy for the Sporting Goods categories (Hunting, Shooting Sports, Fishing, & Camping).
• Manage the P/L for the Sporting Goods Unit.
• Develop strong vendor relationships and negotiate competitive programs with suppliers.
• Identify, negotiate, and execute centralized sourcing, purchasing, and distribution opportunities through Mid‑States Warehouse.
• Drive a growing private brand strategy and manage cross‑functional execution from inception to implementation.
• Maintain strong relationships with Mid‑States ownership, key executives, and buying teams.
• Become the go‑to expert for market strategy, retail execution, and overall category knowledge.
• Continuously seek new supplier opportunities to deliver the best category offering for our members, competitive pricing and programs, and industry‑best show specials at our Mid‑States tradeshows.
• Develop impactful category analysis and consumer insights using a range of data sources to influence sales.
• Manage vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding.

Minimum Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Industry and category management experience.
• 10 years of experience in the Sporting Goods category and 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge of customer‑centric retailing principles and analytics of customer purchase behavior.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the sporting goods industry.
• Experience in sourcing, product development, and building strategic go‑to‑market plans.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including prioritizing, scheduling, and time management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Travel

Some travel involved.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.