Category Manager – Raw Materials & Supplier Strategy

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. 

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Summary:  This is a hands-on role for someone who wants to own a category, not just execute against it.

As a Commodity Manager, you’ll act as the bridge between product innovation and supplier execution—bringing structure to fast-moving demand, managing vendor relationships, and helping translate sourcing strategy into day-to-day results.

What you will be doing...

• Define multi-year strategy for ~2-4 priority commodities
  • Identify opportunities in their commodities via changes in vendors, specs, or demand
  • Manage and qualify the portfolio of suppliers in the category (including second tier suppliers)
  • Track and monitor spend patterns and trends to identify opportunity
  • Establish long-term agreements with select strategic partners that drive improved, service, quality, or cost savings
• Manage supplier performance
  • Track vendor performance and report metrics for improvement
  • Facilitate monthly meetings to communicate strategy and provide category updates
  • Clarify specification and production concerns with vendor and act at the bridge between internal users and the vendor
• Execute strategy
  • Carryout RFP processes and provide/present costing analysis to leaders across the company
  • Work with Planning and Production teams to place jobs in accordance with supplier schedule/capabilities
  • Partner with Quality to drive continuous improvement
  • Prepare and execute purchase orders with suppliers
• Drive change initiatives within Procurement to develop and document best practices
• Stabilize day-to-day execution within a category
• Improve supplier coordination and responsiveness
• Bring structure to incoming demand and prioritization

What you will bring...

• 7+ years experience initiating and negotiating supplier agreements
• Experience owning supplier relationships or categories, not just executing POs
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments with competing priorities
• Strategic thinker with experience executing a Procurement process
• Proven ability to manage relationship with vendors
• Ability to perform spend analysis and interpret data into actionable steps
• Experience managing spend greater than $50 million
• Ability to communicate and present throughout all levels of the organization
• Advanced skills in Microsoft applications (experience with Oracle a plus)
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Excellent decision-making and organizational skills
• Sense of urgency and comfort working in a fast-paced environment