Digital Category Merchant

At Horizon Hobby, we inspire dreams and help build memories! Our company is the leader in the global Radio Control industry, celebrating 40 years in 2025! We offer tremendous opportunities for growth and development and a full array of benefits including discounts on our products! We are currently hiring for a Digital Category Merchant for our eCommerce team!

This is a full-time, on-site position at our Champaign, IL location. Working hours are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Typical pay for this position is $50,000-$60,000. The final offer for this position will be based on the unique experience and qualifications of the candidate selected. This position may also be eligible for a bonus not included in the base pay range.

The Digital Category Merchant is responsible for driving growth, profitability, and customer engagement across assigned hobby categories on Horizon Hobby’s digital platforms. This role requires a deep understanding of the RC (radio control) and hobbyist market, including vehicles, aircraft, and accessories, along with the ability to translate enthusiast needs into compelling online assortments and experiences.

Roles & Responsibilities 

• Own digital category performance for assigned segments (e.g., Surface, Air or Accessory Categories). This includes revenue, margin, and inventory health.


• Develop category strategies that reflect the hobbyist demand, seasonality and product innovation cycles.


• Curate assortments across entry-level, intermediate, and advanced hobbyist tiers.


• Ensuring compatibility across platforms (batteries, chargers, optional parts, upgrades).


• Ability to partner with brand marketing, product development, and distributed teams to support new product launches and merchandising optimization


• Optimize on-site merchandising. Including category navigation, product detail pages, cross-sell/upsell (e.g., “need to complete" and simplified recommendations), and search results.


• Leverage data (sales trends, attachment rates, conversion, customer behavior) to refine assortment and merchandising strategies.


• Collaborate with marketing to execute campaigns tied to new releases, seasonal promotions, and enthusiast events.


• Monitor competitor landscape across specialty hobby retailers, marketplaces, and DTC brands.


• Champion customer experience by ensuring clear product content, compatibility guidance, and educational resources for hobbyists.

Success

• Strong category growth driven by compelling assortments and optimized digital experiences.


• Increased accessory and parts attachment rates through effective bundling and merchandising.


• Seamless customer journey from discovery to purchase, especially for complex builds.


• Successful execution of product launches and seasonal campaigns.


• Positive engagement from both new hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts.

Qualifications

• 3–6+ years in e-commerce, merchandising, or category management is a must.


• Experience in enthusiast or technical products strongly preferred.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.


• Familiarity with eCommerce platforms and digital merchandising tools such as Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Shopify, Contentstack, etc.


• Ability to manage complex assortments with technical dependencies (e.g., parts compatibility, power systems).


• Knowledge of SEO, on-site search optimization, and product discovery best practices.


• Experience with bundling strategies and accessory/part attachment optimization.


• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.


• Passion for or experience with RC vehicles, aircraft, or hobby-grade products is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of office supplies and materials, up to 20 pounds.


• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working on a computer.


• Occasional travel may be required domestically.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Benefits & Other Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision 


• HSA and FSA options 


• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 


• Life Insurance and Supplemental Life Insurance 


• 401(k) with a company match 


• Paid Time Off 


• Paid Holidays 


• Internal Rewards 


• Discounts on Products 


• Additional Coverage such as accident, critical, hospital and pet insurance

Horizon Hobby is a progressive, innovative company and, as such, is constantly reevaluating and reinventing the processes and procedures associated with each job. The essential duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time.  In addition, employees may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work necessary or important to the operation of Horizon. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected and appreciated. 

Horizon Hobby, LLC is an equal opportunity and E-Verify employer