Category Lead, Softlines - Italy

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

Sitting within the EMEA Consumer Products Organisation, who are responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development and implementation of Consumer Products strategy across all Mattel Brands.  This team is responsible for steering and achieving key brand, category and fiscal objectives by identifying and collaborating with Global, Regional, Multi Territory and Local licensees. We work in partnership across the business with the Global Consumer Products, Regional Franchise, Local Brand, Regional Marketing, and Regional Product Development teams, as well as with the Audit, Finance and Legal Divisions.

The Opportunity: 

In this role you will manage the day-to-day licensing business relationships in the country covering all Sotflines partners delivering all aspects of Italy partner management. You will identify pitch and negotiate new business opportunities, and day to day liaison with internal & external stakeholders. You will lead Italy SL strategy and build relationships and programs with leading retailers.  Category leading and supporting for assigned categories, across Softlines.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

LICENSEE MANAGEMENT:

• Manage all existing licensing deals, including master toy and licensee relationships
• Deliver SL country strategy, supporting the Head of Consumer Products Italy
• Own the retail strategy for softlines and drive these relationships with Consumer Products programs. Work with Mattel retail team to deliver best in class programs.
• Deliver detailed Joint Business Plans per partner that includes forecast, budget, stretch targets, retail & marketing calendars and relevant product line plans 
• Pitch and market presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands
• Conduct bi-weekly 121 meetings, arrange quarterly business reviews, bi-annual top to tops and track financial goals through forecasting and ambitious sales targets
• Deliver and ensure detailed joint marketing plan per partner that includes licensee investment that is aligned with Mattel Consumer Product goals; ensure marketing support for top items.
• Be the internal point person for each licensee to ensure local markets are driving the strategy and goals for partners

NEW BUSINESS:

• Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Secure new licensing deals and negotiate renewals
• Attend Trade Fairs or category specific shows

STRATEGY:

• Support Country Lead on key strategy for the market
• Analyze the market with SWOT, Gaps, opportunities, category priorities
• Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Keep current with changing trends & competition
• Work closely with the Product Development, Creative and Quality & Assurance teams on getting first class product to market
• Work closely with Retail Development, Digital, PR, Regional Franchise and Local Brand teams to develop joint business plans.
• Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal & external stakeholders
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region
• Help find innovative ways to grow the business
• Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Experience

• Previous experience working in a licensing, marketing or sales position
• Understanding of the Licensing environment and exposure to Licensing
• Soft Lines knowledge; experience working with fashion, apparel or FMCG
• Experience building a joint business plan
• Exposure to managing a financial plan and forecasting

Skills & Education:

• Degree in Business, Marketing or a relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Proven sales negotiation experience and commercial thinking mindset
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
• Solutions oriented with ability to ‘think outside the box’ to deliver additional revenue and opportunities
• Ability to influence others; persuasive and able to present messaging impactfully
• Commercial acumen with the competence to build and present a strategy
• Strong relationship builder and able to navigate internal and external relationships and stakeholders with ease
• Fluent Italian and English is required to perform this role. 
• Strong communication skills oral and written, able to deliver a narrative

#LI-AW1

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
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