At AMain Hobbies, we believe hobbies make life better — whether it’s RC racing, puzzles, model building, or the latest collectible craze. We’re looking for a Toys & Hobbies Category Manager who can turn trends into must-have assortments, and keep our customers coming back for more.
Position Summary
The Toys & Hobbies Category Manager will own the strategy, performance, and growth of AMain’s toys and hobbies assortment. This role combines analytical insight, vendor negotiation, and customer-centric merchandising to ensure our category meets sales, margin, and inventory objectives. The ideal candidate will be passionate about toys and hobbies, have strong business acumen, and thrive in a fast-paced eCommerce and retail environment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Category Strategy & Planning
- Develop and execute category strategies that align with company goals for sales growth, margin, and customer experience.
- Identify assortment gaps, emerging trends, and customer needs within the toys and hobbies market.
- Create seasonal and annual category plans, including pricing, promotions, and product lifecycle management.
Merchandising & Assortment Management
- Source, select, and manage products that resonate with AMain’s customer base.
- Partner with vendors and distributors to secure competitive pricing, terms, and exclusive offerings.
- Ensure product content, descriptions, and merchandising online/instore are accurate, engaging, and optimized for conversion.
Business & Financial Management
- Analyze sales, margin, and inventory performance to inform decision-making.
- Develop forecasts and manage open-to-buy budgets to balance demand and supply.
- Monitor category KPIs (sell-through, inventory turns, GMROI) and implement action plans to address gaps.
Collaboration & Leadership
- Partner with Marketing on promotions, campaigns, and product launches.
- Work with Inventory Planning, Operations, and Customer Experience teams to ensure smooth execution of category initiatives.
- Provide training and product knowledge support for store teams and customer service.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5+ years of merchandising, category management, or buying experience (toys, hobbies, consumer goods, or related retail/eCommerce industry preferred).
- Strong negotiation and vendor relationship management skills.
- Data-driven decision-maker with excellent Excel and reporting skills.
- Strong understanding of eCommerce merchandising and retail fundamentals.
- Passion for toys, hobbies, collectibles, or related categories is a plus.
JOB CONDITIONS:
- Repetitive office work including typing, using a computer mouse, and telephone.
- Sitting time: 75%+
- Uses hands 75%+
- Meeting and phone use: 25%+
- Moderate noise – Office environment with computers, printers, and light traffic.
- Travel estimate: 5% - 10%