Associate Category Manager

Rawlings Sporting Goods is seeking an Associate Category Manager to support the development and execution of its baseball bat product portfolio. The role manages product information, samples, SKU setup, commercialization activities, competitive research, testing, product lifecycle processes, and product management support.

What you'll do:

• Own and maintain Master Line Plan data at the SKU level, ensuring accuracy throughout the product lifecycle
• Manage the creation and setup of new SKUs from initial request through system completion
• Support the development and maintenance of annual price lists, sell sheets, and other product marketing materials
• Update and maintain style-level transition lists to support effective inventory planning and supply chain execution
• Receive, catalog, photograph, and organize all incoming product samples, ensuring sample availability for internal teams and key initiatives
• Manage and maintain the organization of the product sample room, coordinating multiple rounds of product samples throughout development
• Conduct competitive product research, monitor marketplace trends, and gather consumer insights to support product strategy
• Coordinate product testing initiatives, including athlete evaluations, consumer testing, and product performance validation
• Evaluate product samples and prototypes, providing feedback on product performance, quality, and design execution
• Maintain accurate product information within PLM systems and other internal databases
• Assist with product lifecycle management activities, supporting products from concept through commercialization and end-of-life
• Prepare presentations, reports, and supporting materials for product line reviews, business updates, and strategic planning meetings

What they're looking for:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, athletes, coaches, parents, guardians, internal employees or organizations
• Must have proven exceptional written presentation and verbal communication skills
• Strong math aptitude with ability to interpret data analysis reporting
• Ability to apply common sense understanding and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands requiring finger dexterity, and handling or working with equipment
• The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms
• The employee is regularly required to stand and walk
• The employee will occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision
• Employee will be required to hear telephone