Category Manager, Project Freedom

Job Description

The role of a

The role of a Category Manage
r is pivotal in steering the direction and success of consumer-centric product solutions. This position demands a blend of strategic foresight and hands‑on management through every phase of product development, from conceptualization to market launch. The core responsibility involves orchestrating annual line plans that are not only ambitious in terms of revenue, gross margin, and market share growth but also reflective of a deep understanding of market demands and consumer preferences.

This strategic assortment of superior products underpins the company's competitive edge and its ability to meet and exceed customer expectations.

At the heart of the Merchandising Manager's role is the development and articulation of a coherent vision and strategy for the product segments under their purview. This vision must be grounded in a robust analysis of market trends, consumer behaviors, and the competitive landscape. It requires a keen insight into the return on investment each product is expected to deliver, supported by concrete market data and a clear roadmap for development and launch.

The strategy must be comprehensive, covering all channels of distribution to ensure a cohesive and powerful market presence.

To bring this vision to life, the Merchandising Manager must possess an intimate understanding of the brand, the business landscape, and the unique selling points of the product portfolio. This role is not just about managing products but also about storytelling—conveying the value and uniqueness of the products in a way that resonates with the target audience. By leveraging internal product teams and resources, the manager is tasked with delivering innovative solutions that align with consumer needs and preferences.

Success in this role hinges on the ability to synthesize market insights, brand strengths, and creative product development to offer compelling products that captivate and satisfy the core consumer base.

This position reports to the General Manager, Project Freedsom and is based out of our Chesapeake office.

• Analyze target markets/segments and create a solid definition of the potential for new products. Position these new products in the marketplace, working closely with sales, marketing, and external experts to gain an in‑depth understanding of each market/segment and the competition
• Deliver clear communication and effective partnership to internal stakeholders, including design, development, marketing and sales team.
• Execute on the I2C pathway, preparing effectively for key waypoints, and delivering on follow up action items. In supporting the I2C pathway, participate in making it better.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to innovate. Innovation in this role is not limited to product creation; it encompasses the processes and tools we deploy in our daily work. Partner with internal teams to take innovative ideas from concept to implementation.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to align on deliver specific product development goals and timelines.
• Become a leading expert on Black hawks competition and the overall marketplace, integrating this insight to support forward‑looking decisions.
• Maintain all relevant line plans completely and accurately. Support the future implementation of new product line and product information management tools, including PLM and PIM.
• Drive towards seasonal and annual sales and margin objectives. Participate in the up front long range planning decisions, and deliver seasonal plans with a demonstrated path to achieving those goals. Monitor the actual progress towards those objectives, and participate in near‑term tactics and problem solving as necessary. This includes leadership on pricing and product margin management.
• Develop strong working relationship with colleagues across teams, enabling and empowering others.
• Facilitate presentations and discussions with consumers and retailers to gather insights that inform product and collection development.
• Deliver effective sell‑in presentations to individual customers and during larger…