Senior Category Manager, Hardlines - EMEA

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Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Senior Category Manager Hardlines EMEA is responsible for managing the Food Health & Beauty, Loyalty and Promotions categories across EMEA, including responsibility for achieving revenue targets and developing and implementing business strategies to drive the short, mid and long-term growth of the category business. Working with local markets, regional and global teams, the individual leads and supports efforts in maximizing revenue opportunities across the region and has operational responsibility for assigned global/regional/multi-territory licensees.

Role responsibilities:

Strategy

• Develop long-term strategies against consumer segments and sub-categories for the designated categories
• Ensure consistent approach with other regional and global Teams, including parity of commercial terms
• Monitor competitors activity and define WBD unique positioning in the designated categories.

Operations & Relationship Management

• Lead the relationship with assigned regional/multi-territory licensees, including negotiation and execution of licensing deals, onboarding, business plans, range creation and management, distribution, marketing plans, forecasting, reporting and performance management
• Lead RFPs across the EMEA region and support global RFPs to maximize the choice of partners for the region for the designated categories – distribution, commercial terms and resources
• With the support of the Director, Hardlines, represent and champion EMEA for the assigned categories with global teams, NA/APAC/LATAM category teams
• Be first point of contact for regional inquiries regarding assigned categories and opportunities
• Lead the EMEA FHB/Promotions community through regional sharing and collaboration, regular meetings, information and best-practice sharing, new partner intros and problem solving. Maintain deal transparency through updated trackers and pitch lists, ensuring the EMEA teams have a line of sight to global promotional and QSR pitches, their outcomes and deals
• Support local category teams with locally led, internationally operating licensees and prospective licensees

Financial

• Revenue responsibility for FHB, Loyalty and Promo by category and by brand for EMEA
• Actively input in regular forecasting cycles, budget setting, performance analysis, and Long Range Plan for the defined categories
• Develop commercial deal structure for key FHB, Loyalty and Promo partners, that support relevant category strategies, and result in maximum sell through and fan engagement
• Monitor launch plans and advertising commitments for licensees and track compliance with contract terms

Team management

• Extended virtual team: Food, Health & Beauty, Loyalty and Promotion local category managers, including Agents
• Support and nurture team spirit – bring peers and colleagues along on the journey

Other duties

• Regular travel to EMEA markets for category and licensee meetings
• Attendance to relevant trade fairs
• Input into strategic projects as required

What we expect :

• 10+ years previous category-related experience and/ or buying experience required
• Solid proven track record at Manager level
• In depth working knowledge of the FHB and/or Promotions industries with an understanding of the European market and preferably other regions
• Knowledge of the Licensing Industry essential
• Experience of working in an international / matrixed environment
• Extensive soft skills and team management experience 
• Support on devising strategic plan with focus on delivering the operational element of the plan.

Hybrid Working - This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in-office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at   along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our for instructions to submit your request.