Description
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. is the entertainment arm of the world's leading communications company, Time Warner. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. comprises numerous separate divisions including Television, Home Video, Theatrical, On-line and Consumer Products.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products license the intellectual property rights of the Warner Bros. portfolio, including DC Comics (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman), The Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts), and Classic Animation (Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, Hanna Barbera). We license these rights to manufacturing companies in return for a royalty.
Our business covers many categories spanning: toys, apparel, accessories, food, beverage, personal care, housewares, gifts, stationery, publishing, interactive games and promotions.
Position DescriptionThe WBCP Category Manager FMCG & Promotions is required to support their Senior Category Manager to manage the Food, Beverage, Personal Care, Promotions, Themed Entertainment and Licensed Advertising categories in the UK & Ireland. This will include deliverables against specific revenue targets, the management of category strategies, product or promotional development, and licensee or agency management to drive long term revenue growth for all assigned categories.
The position will require regular travel to effectively manage & provide an excellent service to all partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Management - Food, Beverage, Personal Care, Promotions, Themed Entertainment and Licensed Advertising
- Support the Senior Manager to meet all short, medium and long term revenue targets set for the UK & Ireland, driving increased breadth of portfolio, retail penetration and wholesale sales or flat fee growth
- Support the Senior Manager to define the category vision and role for each FBPC category within both the WB portfolio and UK & Ireland retail environment
- Formulate recommendations for WBCP entrance into new and relevant FBPC categories and sub-categories to accelerate total portfolio growth
- Support Senior Manager to pitch to leading manufacturers of products within target FBPC categories, Manage the direct relationship with tier two licensee partners and undertake required contract negotiations to meet with current WBCP guidelines, seeking Senior Manager support as required
- Develop all encompassing FBPC plans for assigned categories ensuring strategic alignment to franchise marketing priorities
- Deliver best-in-class category and promotions management, to include but not limited to range planning, NPD, packaging and POS
- Deliver a compelling portfolio of FBPC products meeting identified key demographics
- Establish best route to market and retail channel for each accountable FBPC range
- Maximise cross category promotional opportunities and broader theatrical priorities (Theatrical Promotions)
- Demonstrate solid understanding of retail requirements and initiate regular contact with retail partners to ensure ongoing rapport with core decision-makers across all FBPC categories
- Prepare cutting edge WBCP pitch decks and supporting tool kit to secure new partnerships with Blue Chip Companies or Halo Partners
- Support Senior Manager to maximise Themed Entertainment opportunities for both Ticketed and Non Ticketed Shows and/or Appearances
- Support Senior Manager to best exploit all Licensed Advertising opportunities
- Support the Senior Manager to manage relationships with WB agency partners whether marketing, advertising, or PR focused
- Support Senior Manager to develop comprehensive Marketing and PR strategies for FMCG, Promotions, Themed Entertainment and Licensed Advertising
- Undertake regular review of market trends and developments including competitor product launches and promotional activities, or licensed advertising executions preparing month to month review for Senior Manager
- Previous experience within a similar position is a must
- Candidates must demonstrate either direct FMCG blue chip experience and a working knowledge of product development, or similar buying expertise
- Experience of the UK & Ireland retail market at head office contact level is advantageous with a clear understanding of the dynamics of different retail channels, buying processes and product selection
- Experience of how character & licensing works at retail is preferred.
- Educated to degree standard or graduate calibre, with an interest in entertainment and animation
- Proven ability to organise and analyse data and information, developing actionable recommendations
- Proven and effective interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships with personnel at all levels of the organisation; a team player
- Proven experience of working in a large, Matrix organization
- Computer Skills: MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required