Merchandise Category Lead, Paints & Finishing, Shop & Trailer Equipment presso Summit Racing Equipment

SUMMARY

The Merchandise Category Lead is responsible for driving sales and profitability within an assigned product category by owning the product assortment strategy, optimizing brand programs and pricing, and supporting internal SKU rationalization standards. This role blends merchandising expertise with category specialization to guide brand performance and category growth. The Category Lead works closely with vendors to evaluate performance, recommend inventory strategies, and identify new brand opportunities that align with business goals. In partnership with cross-functional teams—including TDM and Marketing—the Category Lead ensures accurate, compelling product presentation across digital and print channels. Strong vendor relationships and data-driven decision making are key to delivering strategies that enhance the customer experience and elevate overall category performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (includes other duties as assigned):

• Responsible for managing the product assortment and SKU mix within assigned brands, with a focus on category performance, profitability, and customer experience. Maintains a strong awareness of product data on the part detail page—including attributes, digital assets, pricing position and other critical information—and communicates with internal teams and vendors to address any gaps or inaccuracies. Monitors key inputs such as sales trends, vendor feedback, return rates, product availability, and competitive activity to guide decisions around SKU rationalization and brand optimization, and to support strategic growth initiatives. Supports margin strategy by collaborating with Pricing and analyzing brand-level performance and competitor activity.
• Accountable for driving return on invested capital (ROIC) in their assigned category, including both financial and human capital. This includes evaluating the ROI of adding new SKUs, onboarding new vendors, and recommending stocking strategies. Category Leads are expected to consider the long-term profitability and resource efficiency of assortment decisions and vendor partnerships.
• Leads the evaluation of new brands based on industry trends, new manufacturers, employee suggestions, profitability goals, and category assortment fit. Communicates and collaborates with the Vendor Onboarding team to negotiate pricing and vendor programs.
• Determines initial stocking levels for new SKUs and brands, using trend analysis, vendor input, and category insights to ensure the right products are available for customers. Collaborates with vendors to review sales performance and identify opportunities for inventory expansion, while balancing strong in-stock availability with inventory efficiency. Recommends the most effective fulfillment method—stocking or drop ship—based on vendor capabilities and internal requirements.
• Prepares sales information for vendor meetings that lead to actionable plans for improving sales, service, and quality in support of category goals.
• Ensures the accuracy and completeness of product content presented to customers. Partners with the Tech Data Management (TDM) team to prioritize attributes, digital assets, and other data needs for website presentation. Participates in catalog and ADV processes by providing product picks for printed and digital marketing collateral.
• Supports special projects tied to category initiatives, such as vehicle builds or event-related needs.
• Utilizes and analyzes department category reports and regularly communicates to the supervisor and department manager on YOY category and line-level performance, progress on rationalization efforts, resolution of assigned JIRA tickets (from Pricing/Costing and other teams), and status updates from weekly audits (e.g., SKUs hidden from web). Provides updates on vendor-level service issues being worked. Manages internal workflows in JIRA across Merchandising and cross-departmental projects.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Uses tools such as Microstrategy, main business system, and vendor portals to evaluate sales trends, margin data and stock status across assigned brands.
• Regularly updates and audits product data using internal systems to identify and address missing or inaccurate product attributes, digital assets, or pricing issues. Works with a support team to onboard new SKUs.
• Reviews all new brand recommendations submitted through JIRA and initiates onboarding requests by launching JIRA tickets to the Vendor Onboarding team when pursuing a new brand.
• Drives SKU and brand-level rationalization decisions, minimizing redundancy and aligning the assortment with category profitability and customer value goals. Recommends the removal or deactivation of underperforming SKUs or brands as necessary.
• Engages in vendor meetings using prepared sales recaps and data-driven performance summaries to influence future product strategy and vendor support programs.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with Supply Chain and Inventory Planning to determine optimal stocking strategies and monitor inventory turns, overstock, and inventory feed compliance. Submits stocking requests via JIRA ticket using standardized template.
• Supports product content enhancements and web presentation initiatives by submitting TDM tickets and setting SKU priorities in Active Oscar, and reviews weekly reports to monitor completion.
• Collaborates with the pricing team to support competitive strategies that balance margin and growth. Actively monitors brand-level performance, spider data, margin trends, and competitor activity to identify pricing gaps or strategic opportunities. Manages JIRA tickets related to cost file analysis, reviewing potential new SKU submissions for fit and completeness.
• Participates in catalog and ADV processes by submitting product selections through structured and shared files, including print catalog updates, and product picks for advertisements.
• Supports special projects tied to category initiatives, including vehicle builds or event-related support, by coordinating product selection, content accuracy, and vendor participation. Attends tradeshows as needed.
• Attends recurring one-on-one and department meetings to report on category performance and address ongoing issues or initiatives.
• Demonstrates strong proficiency in internal merchandising platforms (e.g., Active Oscar, Product Management, JIRA), and mentors newer team members on standard workflows and best practices.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience in merchandising, or product management may be considered.

*This role requires in-office presence on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the option to work remotely the remaining three weekdays, subject to change based on business needs (see Remote Work policy). Occasional in-office attendance on other weekdays may be necessary to accommodate in-person vendor meetings based on vendor and representative availability.  Initial training for this position requires 100% onsite attendance for the first week.

The Team Member Experience:
We work together to take care of our customers, our communities, and each other. When you join the team, you’ll enjoy a positive, productive atmosphere where people truly believe in what they are doing. If you’re passionate about providing the best experience possible to our customers and to your fellow team members, you’re in the right place.

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance interacting with our career site, please contact us by calling (330) 630-5570 option 2 for Human Resources.

Summit Racing Equipment and its entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.