Soft Goods Category Manager

Al’s Sporting Goods is seeking a Soft Goods Category Manager to take ownership of the financial, operational, and merchandising performance of the soft goods category across multiple retail locations and Als.com. This role will focus on building compelling assortments of apparel, accessories, and seasonal soft goods that resonate with our customers both in-store and online.

This is an on-site position based in our corporate office in Logan, UT.

This position offers full category ownership, including assortment strategy and planning, inventory management, vendor relationships, pricing, and overall financial performance. The ideal candidate combines strong merchandising instincts with operational discipline, using data-driven insights to deliver compelling assortments for our customers.

This is not a passive buying role. The Soft Goods Category Manager at Al’s is an accountable leader who runs the category like a business, making measurable impacts on results and the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Category & Inventory Management: Plan seasonal assortments, manage inventory depth and replenishment, monitor aged product, and execute exit strategies.
• Vendor & Brand Management: Lead vendor selection, negotiations, and performance. Collaborate on exclusives, promotions, and product lifecycle planning.
• Financial Results: Drive sales growth, margin, and inventory productivity.
• Implement pricing and promotions while protecting margin.
• Collaboration & Reporting: Partner with Marketing, eCommerce, and Merchandising to optimize assortment, content, and inventory. Use data to monitor category health and adjust plans proactively.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and accountable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and inventory/sales/reporting systems.
• Preferred: Buying or category management experience, footwear or apparel experience a plus, multi-store or omnichannel inventory management, and vendor negotiation experience.

Key Performance Indicators

• Maintain in-stock performance and target inventory turns.
• Improve sell-through and minimize markdowns.
• Align inventory with demand and reduce aged product.
• Deliver assortments that resonate with customers across all channels

Perks & Benefits

• Opportunity to own a major category and make a visible impact.
• Entrepreneurial environment with leadership support.
• Growing company with a commitment to operational excellence.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Work with a passionate team that values discipline, data, and customer focus.

On-Site

Full-Time or Part-Time