Associate Category Manager

TEAMMATES WANTED

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.

Purpose & Core Values:   

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, Sticks?

The Associate Category Manager, Sticks role is responsible for assisting with execution, commercialization, and ongoing support of the Bauer product lines. Reporting to the Category Director, Sticks, the Associate Category Manager will assist with the product lifecycle for the stick category. You will 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:

• Consumer insights and competitive market industry specialist to drive product line strategy and brand growth.
• Validate selling stories, features and benefits and final product direction through consumer insight collection.
• Assist with managing the entire product lifecycle, including attaining volume, profit, margin dollars, and share.
• Develop a deep understanding of business dynamics, retailer trends & challenges, to identify growth opportunities
• Works with cross functional teams to execute the seasonal product plans for certain functions within the stick category, including sales, marketing, product development, Logistics & Supply and Demand.
• Collaborate with the creation of product briefs outlining product performance requirements, target costs, wholesale and retail pricing, and unit forecasts.
• Manages product through entire process ensuring strategy in line with strategic plan.
• Assists Category Director in creating 4-year category strategy and seasonal objectives.
• Leads and participates in category launch team meetings.
• Attends and participates in bi-annual sales meetings and partner summits.
• Performs various other duties and responsibilities, as needed.

Qualifications:

• BS or BA in Marketing, Business or related field- or equivalent years of relevant and related experience.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a business setting.
• Strong communication skills (written/verbal/presentation).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• General understanding of other business applications (SAP).
• Knowledge of AI and capabilities of AI.
• Ability to travel internationally, with expected travel of up to 25%.
• Must have excellent information seeking skills.
• Detail-orientated, with ability to seek creative viable solutions to any given situation.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a diverse group.
• Familiarity with the sport of hockey.

Interested yet? Good. We are, too. We're pretty sure you’ll want to know this position is eligible to participate in the Company’s incentive plan. We also offer one of the most generous benefits packages around including a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid parental leave, an employee discount program on apparel and gear, casual & hybrid work environment and a host of other perks we don't have room to mention here.

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

We use AI-assisted tools during parts of our recruitment process to help ensure fairness and efficiency. All final hiring decisions are made by our human hiring team.