Category Marketing Specialist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Category Marketing Specialist

🔹 Company: Bass Pro Shops

🔹 Location: Springfield, Missouri

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2+ years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading small to medium scale marketing projects
• Executing marketing strategies and analyzing their effectiveness
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop creative and copy
• Building relationships with internal and external partners
• Identifying new opportunities to drive business growth and customer engagement

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving results through marketing initiatives.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Project Management: Develop and execute project plans, timelines, and profit/loss analysis. Manage project expenses to budget.

✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with various teams to develop creative and copy that supports projects and integrates with brand management strategies.

✅ Relationship Building: Maintain relationships with internal and external partners through regular, proactive communication. Coordinate and execute training on projects.

✅ Market Analysis: Stay informed about industry and market trends to identify new opportunities for driving incremental business and customer engagement.

✅ Strategy Analysis: Analyze existing marketing strategies to identify opportunities to enhance customer acquisition, activation, and retention. Create and review reports and analysis to determine how key business drivers can be manipulated through marketing programs and/or enhanced operations.

✅ Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, tactical execution, and cross-functional collaboration to drive marketing success.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Experience: 2+ years of experience in marketing or a related field

Required Skills:

• Proven project management skills or knowledge of different project management practices
• Analytical mindset with the ability to dig into successes and opportunities for future projects
• Strong communication (written and verbal), mediation (conflict resolution), and facilitation skills
• Demonstrates personal initiative and willingly assumes responsibility and ownership
• Ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external customers
• Customer-focused behavior relating to the company's mission statement
• Research mindset to self-educate on latest marketing trends related to product lane
• Proficiency in Windows, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint software

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the outdoor or retail industry
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and a customer-focused approach will be most successful in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $70,000 per year (Estimated, based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in Springfield, Missouri)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary benefits
• 401k Retirement Savings plan
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Bass Pro Cares Fund
• Employee discounts on retail merchandise, restaurants, world-class resorts, and conservation attractions

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with some flexibility for project needs

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in Springfield, Missouri. Actual salary may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically outdoor and sporting goods

Company Size: Large (10,001+ employees), which means there are many opportunities for career growth and diverse teams to work with

Founded: 1972, with a rich history in the outdoor and conservation space

Company Description:

• Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company
• Founded by Johnny Morris, the company provides customers with premier destination retail in more than 150 locations across North America
• Bass Pro Shops is guided by the visionary leadership of its founder and CEO, Johnny Morris, and is making a significant impact on the future of conservation and the communities it serves

Company Specialties:

• Retail
• Hunting
• Sporting Goods
• Fishing
• Outdoor Recreation
• Camping
• Conservation
• Backpacking

Company Website: http://www.basspro.com

ASSUMPTION: Working at Bass Pro Shops offers the opportunity to be part of a company that is deeply committed to conservation and inspiring people to enjoy, love, and conserve the great outdoors.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the company as a whole

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Manager and works closely with various cross-functional teams

Work Arrangement: On-site, with some flexibility for training, partner collaboration, or other project-related travel (up to 10% of the time)

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement within the marketing department, such as moving into a management or leadership role
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as retail management, e-commerce, or conservation initiatives
• Opportunities to work on high-visibility projects that can showcase skills and contribute to the company's success

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a mix of strategic and tactical responsibilities, providing an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally within the marketing department and the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a casual, outdoor-themed work environment

Office Location(s): 2500 E Kearney, Springfield, MO 65898, US

Geographic Context:

• Springfield, Missouri, is located in the Ozark Mountains, offering easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities
• The city has a population of approximately 167,000 people and a cost of living that is lower than the national average
• Springfield is home to a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and retail

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with some flexibility for project needs

ASSUMPTION: Working at the Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, offers a unique blend of corporate and outdoor environments, with easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the marketing team
• Final interview with the marketing director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission and values
• Project management skills and experience

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the outdoor and retail industries, as well as your passion for conservation
• Prepare examples of marketing campaigns or projects you've worked on, highlighting your strategic thinking and tactical execution skills

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Acquisition, Customer Retention, Market Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Brand Management, Creative Development, Copywriting, Relationship Building

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, so it's essential to tailor your application materials and prepare thoroughly for interviews to demonstrate your qualifications and fit for the position.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Marketo, Salesforce)
• Creative design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard marketing tools and project management software is essential for success in this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for the outdoors and conservation
• Customer focus and commitment to exceptional service
• Integrity and respect for all
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Teamwork and collaboration

Work Style:

• Casual, outdoor-themed work environment
• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on results and execution
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the company as a whole

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody the company's commitment to conservation and the great outdoors in your personal and professional life?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a project with a cross-functional team, and what was the outcome?
• How do you stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and industry developments?

ASSUMPTION: A strong cultural fit for this role involves a deep passion for the outdoors and conservation, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a customer-focused mindset.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that may require flexibility and adaptability
• Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution, which can be challenging at times
• Navigating a large organization with a diverse range of teams and stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: Success in this role requires strong project management skills, excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other marketing roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, with a focus on driving results through marketing initiatives
• In the outdoor and retail industries, this role offers the opportunity to work for a company deeply committed to conservation and inspiring people to enjoy, love, and conserve the great outdoors
• Career-wise, this role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the marketing department and the company as a whole, with potential paths into management, leadership, or other areas of the business

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical responsibilities, with a focus on driving results through marketing initiatives and a strong commitment to conservation and the great outdoors.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a marketing campaign to launch a new product line, including market research, creative development, and cross-functional collaboration
• Analyzing the effectiveness of existing marketing strategies and making data-driven recommendations to optimize customer acquisition, activation, and retention
• Managing a project to improve the customer experience in-store, including customer research, creative development, and implementation

ASSUMPTION: Success in this role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to manage projects from start to finish, with a focus on driving results.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the marketing team's structure and how this role fits within it?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the marketing department currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
• Can you provide an example of a successful marketing campaign or project that the company has executed recently, and what made it successful?
• How does the company measure the success of its marketing initiatives, and how can this role contribute to that process?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to driving success within the marketing department and the company as a whole.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare examples of marketing campaigns or projects you've worked on, highlighting your strategic thinking and tactical execution skills
• Research the company and the outdoor and retail industries to demonstrate your understanding and passion for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.