Retail Product Manager - Sporting Goods

Job Title:

Retail Products Manager – Sporting Goods

Reports To:

Retail Merchandising Manager

Department:

Retail Division

Date:

May 21, 2025

Position Objective:

The Retail Products Manager (RPM) is the category leader for their assigned family of business as it relates to product assortment, pricing, and stock levels. The RPM balances meeting the needs of our stores and customers while achieving financial results that further the success of Rocky Mountain Supply. The RPM position operates with considerable independence and judgment when completing projects and procurements.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The 4Ps of this position are Products, Purchasing, Pricing, & Promotion

1.     Specific Job Duties:

a.     Drive sales growth through listening to our stores, industry peers, and other sources to meet customer demand.

b.     Maintain high in-stock rates, healthy turn, and strong margins within their family of business.

c.     Maintain a high level of product knowledge within the assigned category.

d.     Structure & maintain product data in a way that supports a solid understanding of what is happening to key metrics within the business.

e.     Build strong product assortments with suppliers, negotiating improved programs related to all aspects of our vendor partnerships.

f.      Attend trade shows and networks with industry peers to keep ahead of market trends.

g.     Partner with Marketing to create effective promotions that drive sales.

h.     Partner with Store Managers to gather feedback and take proper action.

i.       Utilize both writing and verbal skills to communicate issues to all levels clearly.

j.       Develop and deploy an effective inventory management plan for their family of business.

k.     Provide consistent item selection amongst all retail locations while keeping uniqueness as needs dictate at individual store locations.

l.       Ensure we take advantage of all special offers and distribute amongst all locations.

m.    Utilize store transfer process to keep inventory appropriately distributed to each location based on sales trends.

n.     Effectively manage micro-seasons and inventory to meet demand and reach sales potential.

o.     Monitor store inventory to ensure on-hand quantities meet sales demand while still effectively controlling overstock and maximizing turns.

p.     Use the Epicor system to create POs for prompt receiving.

q.     Establish pricing to maximize store gross margins.

2.     Skills Necessary for Job Performance:

a.     A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field, or equivalent experience, is preferred, though not mandatory.

b.     5+ years of previous related experience and/or training.

c.     A strong understanding of Sales, Margin, Gross Margin, Return on Inventory, Sell Thru Percents, Weeks of Supply, Turn, Comp Store Analysis, Defective Rates, Fill Rates, Terms, Dating, etc.

d.     A strong competency in Microsoft Office products, especially Excel Pivot Tables.

e.     A strong competency in understanding and articulating the financial performance of the assigned category.

f.      A good understanding of our products and a willingness to learn new items.

g.     Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

h.     Ability to prioritize and work with competing demands.

i.       Travel to other locations is required. Overnight stays may be required throughout the year for training, buying shows, etc.

3.     Personal Attributes Desired:

a.     Honest, hardworking, and dependable.

b.     Friendly with a good attitude.

c.     Be service-oriented and able to work with a variety of clientele.

d.     Able to have a good relationship with employees throughout the company.

e.     Be company-oriented and willing to go the extra mile for the whole company and its patrons.

f.      Use common courtesy when dealing with customers or with company personnel.

4.     Licensing Requirements:

a.     Have a clean and insurable driving record: No serious offenses within the past 3 years.