Category Management Manager

Manager Category Mgt Running EM

As Manager Category Management Business Unit Running, you will drive the category business Net Sales in Emerging Markets

You will be the EM expert for category, understanding consumer trends, distribution opportunities and competitor strategies.

Together with the Senior Manager & the BU Lead you will execute seasonal, fiscal and long-term strategic plans to grow profitable market-share for the category.

To succeed you will collaborate with EM cluster/country organizations and Channel teams to identify and address business opportunities in the market and deliver against those by collaborating with the Global Business Unit throughout the seasonal Go-to-Market process.

You will be the point of contact for BU Running in EM for pre-season planning and in-season tracking, monitoring, and actioning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute defined BU Running KPIs with the objective to grow the business across EM Countries & Channels.
• Execute the seasonal Go-To-Market (GTM) process and calendar milestones for the category in Emerging Markets.
• Deliver an effective Emerging Markets Range that allows Clusters to maximize their opportunities.
• Build a Category "Common Range" as the foundation of EM Range ensuring consistent Brand Footprint without compromising on any commercial opportunities.
• Ensure all system requirements for ranging in RMA and M-3 is met basis GTM milestones and timelines.
• Drive decision making through data analytics & category tracking paired with consumer trends and market opportunities.
• Be the interface between Global Business Unit (BU) and market stakeholders.
• Work closely with Brand Activation, Omnichannel & Membership teams to deliver Category activations & Credibility moments with impact.
• Perform category analysis including Buy-Sales review, market/consumer/competitor insights and leverage for planning.

KPIs:

• EM Category Net Sales, Key Franchise growth/share of NS.
• Range Planning : FTW & Apparel
• Own Running Apparel business along with defined KPIs
• Deliver Special Projects in Halo FTW and Running apparel
• Execute seasonal GTM calendar and deliver as per timelines.

Key Relationships:

• EM Horizontal Brand Teams (Hub Running Brand Communications & Activation, Marketing Operations, Sports Marketing)
• EM Cluster Category Management/CTC teams
• EM Hub Channel teams
• EM Demand Planning & SCM
• Global Running Business Unit

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for Running, Sports, Fitness & Fashion
• Strong analytical skills structured and process oriented.
• Experience in Category Management, Merchandising experience is a plus.
• Consumer-focused with deep product and range understanding with an excellent ability to balance brand and commercial aspects and build channel specific GTM solutions
• Experience in footwear and apparel design and development is a plus
• Pro-active (engaging & impact-oriented) mind-set, ability to think end-to-end.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with different international cultures.
• Strong communication (both written and verbal), presentation and facilitation skills
  small and large groups)
• Ability to communicate with Senior Leadership in Global & Local teams.
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years Product Management and Merchandising experience, ideally in sporting goods, fashion, or other youth culture brands.
• University degree in business or fashion/sports, ideally with Marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience; MBA is a plus.
• Strong MS-Office skills - advanced user of Excel, PowerPoint and Power BI.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written) with strong communication & presentation skills.