Head of Sports & Outdoors Category – Cross-Border Sourcing

As part of Joybuy’s 1P Retail Business – Cross-Border Team, the Head of Sports & Outdoors Category will lead category strategy, sourcing and commercial growth across European markets, leveraging China's competitive supply chain.

This role will take end-to-end ownership of the category, identifying and developing Chinese brands, manufacturers and suppliers, while driving product competitiveness, GMV and profitability.

Acting as a key bridge between East and West, the successful candidate will connect China's supply chain capabilities with European consumer demand. Regular business travel to China is required to develop supplier relationships, explore sourcing opportunities and build strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Growth: Lead the Sports & Outdoors category across Europe, developing growth strategies to drive GMV, profitability and market share.
• China Supply Chain Development: Identify and develop high-quality Chinese brands, manufacturers, trading companies and suppliers, securing competitive sourcing opportunities, exclusive products and favourable commercial terms.
• Market Intelligence & Product Selection: Analyse European consumer trends, market dynamics and sales data to identify high-potential products, brands and SKUs, ensuring a competitive product assortment.
• Commercial Negotiation & Supplier Management: Lead supplier development and commercial negotiations, optimising procurement costs, supply terms and long-term partnerships.
• Merchandising & Category Management: Manage product assortment, pricing and inventory strategies to improve sales performance, stock turnover and category profitability.
• Business Performance & Collaboration: Monitor sales, margins and inventory performance, translating data insights into business actions. Work closely with marketing, supply chain, logistics and other teams to deliver category objectives.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree or above, preferably in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, International Trade or related disciplines.
• Experience: 5+ years of relevant industry experience, including at least 3 years in procurement, category buying, merchandising, product development or supplier management.
• Industry Expertise: Solid experience in the Sports & Outdoors industry, particularly non-apparel hardgoods such as camping equipment, outdoor tools, fitness equipment, sporting goods, bicycles and accessories.
• China Supply Chain: Proven experience working directly with Chinese brands, manufacturers, trading companies or industrial clusters, with strong supplier development and sourcing capabilities.
• European Market Knowledge: Experience in the UK or European markets, with a good understanding of local consumers, e-commerce platforms and retail dynamics. Multi-market European experience is preferred.
• Commercial & Analytical Skills: Strong product judgement, negotiation and commercial acumen, with the ability to identify winning products, manage costs and margins, and drive category performance through data analysis.
• Languages & Cross-cultural Capabilities: Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Strong ability to bridge East and West, connecting Chinese supply chain capabilities with European market needs, navigating different business cultures and building trusted relationships across both markets.
• Mobility: Open to being based at any existing Joybuy office in the UK, EU or China, with a willingness to travel regularly to China for supplier visits, factory assessments, industry research and business development.
• Personal Attributes: Strong ownership, entrepreneurial mindset and results-driven approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced international business environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Chinese Sports & Outdoors importers, trading companies or cross-border supply chain businesses, particularly sourcing from China for European markets.
• Experience in category procurement, merchant acquisition or product development at major e-commerce platforms, working directly with Chinese sellers, brands or manufacturers.
• Established relationships with Chinese manufacturers, brands and key industry clusters.
• Experience building categories, supplier networks or businesses from the ground up.

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