Category Manager
Own and grow key firearms and OEM gun parts categories supporting Brownells and Crow Wholesale.
2nd Adventure Services is looking for a Category Manager to take ownership of firearms and OEM gun replacement parts supporting both Brownells’ eCommerce channel and Crow Wholesale’s distribution channel. This is a hands-on, commercially accountable role for someone who understands the firearms customer, enjoys working with suppliers, and knows how to use category data to drive sales, margin, inventory productivity, and customer experience.
2nd Adventure Services is the shared services provider for a dynamic family of companies, including Brownells, Crow Wholesale, AR15.COM, and Big Springs Shooting Complex. Our mission is to create a platform that connects people with their passions, empowering them to be inspired, educated, and outfitted for a lifetime of adventure.
Location: Preferred location is Grinnell, Iowa, with hybrid work available. Candidates must currently reside in Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, or Florida, or be willing to relocate to Iowa.
Salary: Starting at $75,000, adjusted based on experience, with bonus opportunity aligned to company performance.
As a Category Manager, you will own assigned categories from strategy through execution. You will manage supplier relationships, analyze category performance, improve assortment productivity, support new product launches, build promotional plans, and make data-informed recommendations that drive sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and customer demand.
This is a true category ownership role, not a support-only merchandising position. We are looking for someone who can understand the customer, work cross-functionally, and drive results through disciplined category management.
What You’ll Do
-
Own category performance for firearms and OEM gun replacement parts supporting Brownells eCommerce and Crow Wholesale distribution channels
-
Develop and execute assortment strategies that support sales growth, gross margin, customer demand, inventory productivity, and category KPIs
-
Manage supplier relationships, vendor plans, line reviews, promotional opportunities, and category reviews
-
Analyze sales, margin, inventory turns, customer demand, promotional effectiveness, vendor performance, and SKU-level trends
-
Make recommendations on pricing, promotions, assortment expansion, product rationalization, discontinuations, and new product launches
-
Partner with Merchandising, Crow Sales, Brownells Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and supplier partners to execute category plans
-
Build and use category reviews, margin models, promotional analysis, supplier scorecards, and SKU-level recommendations
What We’re Looking For
-
4 to 6+ years of experience in category management, merchandising, buying, retail, eCommerce, distribution, vendor/product management, inventory planning, or a related commercial role
-
Strongly preferred experience in firearms, shooting sports, hunting, outdoor, tactical, hard goods, or a related enthusiast industry
-
Experience managing product categories, supplier relationships, pricing, promotions, assortment decisions, or product lifecycle activities
-
Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn sales, margin, inventory, promotional, customer, and SKU-level data into business recommendations
-
Proficiency with Excel and business reporting tools; Power BI experience strongly preferred
-
Ability to work cross-functionally with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and supplier partners
-
Strong ownership, organization, communication, attention to detail, and follow-through
Success in this role means taking ownership of the category, building stronger vendor plans, improving performance in underdeveloped categories, rationalizing low-performing SKUs, improving margin and inventory productivity, strengthening promotional calendars, and supporting better new product launch execution.
If you are a commercially minded Category Manager who understands the firearms customer and enjoys owning supplier relationships, category strategy, and business results, we encourage you to apply.
Apply Now.
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. In addition, the employer may consider whether the individual applying for or holding the position is qualified. There are two steps involved in this determination. The first concerns whether the applicant or current employee satisfies the prerequisites for the position. The second step involves whether or not the person can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Brownells’ Privacy Policy Statement (“Policy”) can be reviewed here: https://www.brownells.com/help/legal/privacy-policy/
Brownells’ California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) Recruitment Disclosure can be reviewed here: https://www.brownells.com/help/legal/california-recruitment-disclosures/
