at Great Wolf Lodge in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Job Description
Job Summary:
The Category Manager is responsible for driving sales and profitability within assigned product categories, ensuring strategic and results-driven category management. The focus includes Toys, Souvenirs, Consumables, Experiential Retail, and Apparel, particularly in the resort industry. This role requires collaboration with planning, visual merchandising, procurement, and operations teams to exceed financial targets. The individual in this role will report to the Director of Merchandise on the Corporate Retail team.
Responsibilities:
Strategy Development and Execution
Develop and implement scalable strategies to drive sales and improve margins.
Ensure product placement aligns with company financial objectives.
Performance Monitoring and Analysis
Analyze sales data, inventory levels, and customer feedback.
Identify opportunities for improvement and optimize category performance.
Inventory Management
Forecast sales and demand, develop inventory plans, and manage replenishment.
Ensure optimal stock levels and minimize excess inventory.
Financial Goal Achievement
Analyze performance and develop initiatives to meet and exceed financial goals (Sales, margin, inventory turn, EBITDAM targets).
Market Research and Analysis
Conduct market research to identify trends, consumer preferences, and the competitive landscape.
Develop and implement promotional plans, product launches, and marketing campaigns.
Vendor Relationship Management
In close collaboration with Procurement, support negotiations and management of vendor relationships, including product selection, pricing, terms, and promotions.
Optimize profitability and ensure a competitive assortment.
Innovation and Trend Monitoring
Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies.
Identify new product opportunities and innovative merchandising strategies.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, operations, planning, and supply chain teams.
Align category strategies with overall business objectives.
Project Management
Initiate, structure, and negotiate partnerships with merchants.
Create and execute business and project plans for new opportunities and long-term operations.
Competitive Analysis
Conduct store visits and competitor analysis.
Evaluate merchandising effectiveness and assess competitive pricing.
Training and Mentorship
Train and mentor junior team members on category management best practices.
Foster a culture of continuous learning and development on The Retail Replenishment Model across the organization
Customer Focus
Dive into details, solve new problems, and handle ambiguity.
Maintain a customer-obsessed approach in all initiatives.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
5+ years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, or related roles, with a proven track record of success in driving sales and profitability.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret sales data, market trends, and financial metrics to inform decision-making.
Experience with business analysis and P&L management.
Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and partners.
Business partnership skills, able to collaborate, influence and work as part of a matrix organization.
Strategic thinking and vision.
Strong analytical skills and ability to analyze data from different sources, turning complex data into simple stories.
Preferred Characteristics:
Strategic mindset, with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive category plans aligned with business objectives.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other analytical tools.
Knowledge of retail industry trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Flexibility to travel as needed to visit stores, attend trade shows, and meet with vendors
