Are you a trend-savvy, data-driven retail merchant with a passion for apparel and an eye for what customers want next? Fleet Farm is looking for an experienced Apparel Category Manager to lead our clothing and accessories categories - shaping strategy, product assortment, and customer experience across stores and online.
This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact at an established yet growing retailer known for quality, value, and community. You'll blend fashion insight with analytical rigor to build assortments that drive sales, maximize profitability, and strengthen the Fleet Farm brand.
What You'll Do- Lead Apparel Strategy: Develop and execute category strategies for men's, women's, and kids' apparel that align with company goals, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive profitability.
- Curate Winning Assortments: Identify and source products that balance trend, quality, and value - ensuring Fleet Farm offers the right mix of basics, lifestyle wear, and seasonal fashion.
- Analyze and Optimize: Use data and market insights to evaluate category performance, pricing, and promotions. Continuously refine assortments and strategies to achieve growth and margin goals.
- Negotiate and Source: Build vendor partnerships, negotiate contracts, and secure competitive pricing to optimize product cost and profitability.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Inventory Management to ensure cohesive presentation, accurate forecasting, and timely replenishment.
- Champion Private Brands: Drive the development and performance of Fleet Farm's private label apparel lines through assortment planning, pricing strategy, and promotional programs.
- Stay Ahead of Trends: Monitor industry trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback to anticipate shifts in demand and shape future assortments.
- Deliver Results: Set and achieve sales, gross margin, and inventory targets while maintaining optimal merchandise turnover and stock levels.
What You Bring- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Fashion Merchandising, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Experience: 3-5 years in apparel category management, buying, or merchandising, ideally within a multi-channel retail environment.
- Apparel Expertise: Strong understanding of apparel trends, product lifecycle management, size curves, and seasonal planning.
- Analytical Skills: Proficient in sales analysis, P&L management, and retail performance metrics.
- Technical Skills: Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with merchandising systems or ERP tools a plus.
- Collaborative Mindset: Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels of the organization.
- Creative and Commercial Thinking: A balance of fashion intuition and financial discipline - with the ability to turn data and trends into actionable merchandising decisions.
