Description
Category Manager
Reading
Brook Street are currently working on behalf of our Global IT client to recruit a Category Manager. This is a contract role running until the end of June 2015 based in Reading.
Role Purpose
The retail channel is vital to the company's growth. Through it we generate significant revenue and profit for the company and it is those deep and valuable relationships with retailers and distributors that have made our retail success possible. Our interactive entertainment business includes a number of the most engaging and recognizable consumer brands in the world.
Team/Department Mission
The EMEA Category Team is responsible for setting the retail strategy across Europe and Middle East/Africa and collaborate with company HQ to create demand for our products and services through an unbroken demand chain and maximizing profit for the company.
The Category manager owns and drives the go-to-market planning for consoles and Accessories in EMEA in collaboration with the local category managers.
Key Accountabilities
1. Expertise in retail insights and launching new products including being the voice of the sub: Ensure that insights are being used to drive business planning for EMEA and these are being Embedded in the creation of effective go-to-market plans across the retail sales and marketing teams. Influence the Product group to provide insights needed to drive the business that are currently not provided and guidance on how to maximize profitability.
2. Forecasting & Planning: Ensure the monthly forecast submissions of the product managers are coherent and drive to the desired business outcomes. This requires strong alignment with the supply chain managers in Dublin and Redmond including choice and quantity of Hard Bundles.
3. The art of business summarization & ROB governance: Provide in-depth business analysis and manage communication on business performance (Sell In, Sell through, Channel inventory, supply, Warehouse inventory, and market share) and issues, leading recommendations as appropriate. Ensure team has right rhythm of business with tight integration, implementation and measurement of effective Marketing & Retail plans.
4. Competitor analysis: Provide detailed and informative weekly updates on competitive activities at retail to ensure the teams have a deep understanding of their go-to-market strategies and tactics.
5. Sales deals: set the EMEA promotion framework and educate local Category managers on best investments to the agreed promotional framework and track performance to ensure promotional investments are optimized and learning is Embedded in future planning.
6. Cross-group collaboration: Identify opportunities to collaborate across the region in order to achieve highest level of effectiveness and efficiency.
Key Success Criteria
For the candidate to be successful, they must have the following strengths:
* Analytical and insightful.
* Retail dynamics understanding.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Highly organized and disciplined.
* A passion for games/entertainment.
* Capable of working effectively across virtual teams.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
1) Essential Experience
Experience in the retail channel or entertainment/technology fields an advantage. This role requires an individual with a broad skill set encompassing excellent marketing & relationship management capabilities, with proven ability to collaborate well with cross functional groups and virtual teams to achieve specific objectives.
2) Technical/Functional Skills
Strong analytical skills, issue resolution, market and customer insight, thoroughness & precision. Highly skilled in using productivity software (excel, ppt) to tell a complex business and consumer story well. Strong understanding of overall marketing mix and relevant ROI metrics that demonstrate success. A passion for gaming, entertainment and/or technology and retail.
3) Personal Attributes/Interpersonal Skills
Organized, tenacious, creative and smart. Adept in dealing with complexity and ambiguity. Able to quickly earn the trust and respect of peers and rally different groups around a single business purpose. Strong influencer skills, credible in building Senior Executive relationships.
Qualifications
* Graduate degree required or relevant marketing qualification a plus
* Product Marketing experiences
* Experience in category management, and/or product planning.
* Proven knowledge of consumer selling channels
* Financial and analytical capabilities is a strong benefit.
* Additional Language(s) an asset
As a Brook Street contractor you will be entitled to 25 days holiday per annum, 8 days paid Bank Holidays, discounted gym membership, use of the onsite health facility, access to online learning and training, free parking and an excellent subsidised restaurant. In addition, subject to qualification criteria, you will have the potential opportunity to earn bonus.
Salary: Competative
Location: Reading
Application Deadline: 11am Friday 8th August 2014