Fort Worth, TX – Mid-States Distributing, the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home retail organization, is excited to announce the search for a Category Director – Sporting Goods, a high-impact leadership role within its growing organization.

For more than 72 years, Mid-States has been owned by independent Farm, Ranch & Home retailers who collectively operate approximately 700 stores across the United States, generating over $7.5 billion in annual sales. Its member-owners serve rural communities with products spanning agriculture parts and supplies, hardware and tools, lawn and garden, animal health, apparel and footwear, pet supplies, and sporting goods.

As the company continues to expand, Mid-States is seeking a strategic, results-driven leader to oversee its Sporting Goods categories, including Hunting, Shooting Sports, Fishing, and Camping.

A High-Profile Leadership Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Category Director – Sporting Goods will guide the overall strategy and profitability of the division, manage vendor partnerships, lead sourcing and private brand initiatives, and drive go-to-market strategies that strengthen Mid-States' competitive position.

The individual selected for this role will serve as the organization's subject matter expert in sporting goods, delivering data-driven category insights, building compelling selling stories, and fostering strong relationships with member-owners and supplier partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage overall strategy for the Sporting Goods categories (Hunting, Shooting Sports, Fishing, & Camping).
• Manage the P/L for the Sporting Goods Unit.
• Manage and develop strong vendor relationships and negotiate competitive programs with suppliers.
• Identify, negotiate, and execute centralized sourcing, purchasing, and distribution opportunities thru Mid-States Warehouse.
• Drive a growing Private Brand strategy and effectively manage cross-functional execution from inception to implementation.
• Build & maintain strong relationships with Mid-States ownership, key executives, and buying teams.
• Become the go-to expert for market strategy, retail execution, and overall category knowledge.
• Continuously look for new supplier opportunities to deliver the best category offering for our members, competitive pricing and programs, and industry best Show Specials at our Mid-States tradeshows.
• Develop impactful category analysis and consumer insights using a range of data sources to impact sales.
• Manage vendor contracts to ensure timely receipt of rebates and promotional funding.

The Ideal Candidate

Mid-States is seeking a seasoned professional with:

• Industry and category management experience needed.
• 10 years' experience in the Sporting Goods category and 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Willingness to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge of customer-centric retailing principles and the analytics of customer purchase behavior.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in the sporting goods industry.
• Experience in sourcing, product development, and building strategic go-to-market plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including prioritizing, scheduling, and time management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

A Culture Built on Energy and Excellence

I have had the pleasure to work for some incredible companies during my career, but Mid-States is truly the best company I have ever worked for. Lead by our dynamic CEO, Tom Mahlke, our team strives to provide a unique, exciting, fun, and fulfilling work environment for our staff. Things like drama, laziness, and entitlement have no place in Mid-States, which makes Mid-States a refreshing place to work. We offer competitive salaries, have fantastic benefits package, and believe in rewarding those who produce. We serve a wonderful industry, and we are financially sound and growing rapidly. If you are an enthusiastic, high-energy person with a positive attitude and the skills described above, you may have just found the last job you will ever apply for! I look forward to meeting you. – Jeff Rash, COO

To Apply: Click Here