Junior Category Manager Toys & Hardlines - Iberia & ItalyUniversal Pictures were the first of the modern Hollywood studios, and over their one hundred years, they have been responsible for some of the world's most memorable feature films. It is the home of the epic Jurassic World franchise, the beloved Minions, the unstoppable Fast & Furious franchise, and Dreamworks animation, as well as a rich portfolio of classic films such as E.T., JAWS and Dracula.UP&E globally drives expansion of the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Along with franchise brand management, UP&E's core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms based on the company's extensive portfolio of intellectual properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation. UP&E is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.At UP&E EMEA, we are proud of our unique culture. We are inclusive, curious and creative; channeling a growth mindset in order to drive the commercial and develop our people. To achieve this culture, we live by our 3 values:Being Human Matters to UsTogether We Can Achieve AnythingWe Always Keep GrowingJob DescriptionYou will support the Senior Category Manager, Toys & Hardlines - Iberia & Italy in the development and execution of the category strategies to deliver against targets and fill market gaps in the countries. You will also be involved in the management of strategic global and regional 'Best in Class' Partners to grow the business as well as developing innovative and quality product lines and/or promoting retail sell-in of product ranges. The role will require nurturing deep relationships with your licensee base, gaining understanding of their corporate strategies, identifying and implementing solid growth plans accordingly, aligned to Universal franchise, category and consumer priorities.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop category strategies in conjunction with the Sr. Category Manager, Toys and Hardlines by identifying opportunities and fill gaps by product sub-category, age segment, market channel and franchise.Assist the commercial management of local and regional partners by collating and/or creating business presentations, line plans and partner pitches, subcategory segmentation plans and post campaign reports.Liaise with the purchasing departments of our main retailers to maximize product listing and exposure.Coordinate the milestone planning of top to tops, QBR and JBP process with key licensees and retailers to deliver plans and growth the hardlines business in line with divisional strategies.Support category analysis and performance via data insights (POS and Circana) and analytics, industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics for category.Partner with the PD team to drive quality and champion innovation in local product development. Ensure timely product approvals.Assist with the annual budget planning and quarterly revenue forecasting for strategic accounts.Maintain knowledge of key seasonality and buying cycles of retailers to support planning and product implementation.Partner with Franchise and Retail team to ensure the approval process of partner marketing collateral.Collaborate with internal stakeholders and UP&E teams - Legal, Finance, Compliance, Creative.QualificationsBackground in toys and hardlines in buying, sales, or business development (licensing, retail, or industry).Passionate and knowledgeable about the toy and hardlines categories.Strong understanding of the Iberian and Italian markets, including commercial, retail, and brand positioning.Established network with licensees, distributors, and retailers in the territory.Proven track record of delivering growth, with strong analytical and financial skills.Excellent communication, presentation, sales, and negotiation abilities.Self-motivated, independent, and able to thrive in a matrix organization.Strategic thinker with a commercial mindset and results-driven approach.Resilient, adaptable, and eager to make a difference.Italian language skills are a plus.
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