At Kids2, we're really good at what we do. And when we're great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs.
Parenting is demanding, and that's where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early stage parents - not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles.
No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That's a big task!
We're serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins.
SUMMARY
The Senior Manager, Category is responsible for delivering top and bottom-line business goals and results, category strategy, P&L management, day-to-day business management, and keeping the organization informed of updates to product and business strategy. The ideal candidate will have at least 8+ years of experience in category management, product line planning and overall business management.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Day To Day Business Management
* Lead category to deliver product category strategy and net margin contribution, including driving the annual and quarterly planning processes and ensuring flawless execution of the plan.* Deliver business results for assigned categories, monitor performance, recommend and implement course correction actions as needed.* Monitor financial performance for assigned category including revenue tracking, margin and profitability, and rate of sale analysis* Build KPI's for key product programs and associated measurement approaches to gauge success during the year.* Establish MSRP pricing, evaluate margins and adjust product/packaging/pricing as needed to achieve target financials.* Participate in annual line reviews with key retailers. Present new products and support sales I preparation of pitch decks, product overviews and sell sheets outlining the unique selling proposition.* Work closely with sales and key account managers to develop customer relationships and successfully build the business.* Work with cross functional partners (Insights, Sales, Quality, Product Integrity, Customer Care, Marketing, Ops) to deeply understand customer needs and leverage the feedback to drive customer satisfaction, new product opportunities and ratings and reviews* Product reviews - identify items to feature in seeded reviews and influencer outreach and develop action plans for low rated items* Perform analysis for SKU rationalization and productivity at the item level and make a recommendation on go-forward plan* Seek cost reduction opportunities to increase margin; work with engineering, design and supply chain to implement changes* Discontinue/transition planning, work with inventory and demand planning to transition items out with low financial impact* Participate in S&OP process
Innovation, Launch Planning & Execution
* Lead the execution of the active Roadmap with the cross functional Global Design and Innovation team to ensure the plan is delivered on-time and meets financial goals.* Development of new product business cases aligned to category innovation strategy* Develop and execute the Go to Market strategy for each product / category that drives high consumer demand and delivers against the Category P&L and overall business goals.* Development of product communications brief to initiate marketing, fashion, video, photography, or other creative functions on project requests to bring the story to life* Identify products to feature in seeded reviews and influencer outreach and develop action plans for low rated items* Collaborate on packaging strategy including copy, shot list review, content, and hierarchy of call outs; Create packaging brief to guide packaging team on desired design* Development of customer sell in strategy including product rationale, merchandising recommendations, competitive advantages, and differentiation
Strategic Planning
* Leadership of 3-year category strategy and innovation roadmap, driven by consumer, market, regional and retailer insights capitalizing on specific needs and white space opportunities* Develop deep category knowledge across assigned categories
Consumer and Marketplace Insights
* Lead market and competitive research analysis and provide updates to design and cross functional teams as necessary* Utilizes POS, NPD and research to optimize category plans* Initiate requests for research and collaborate on research plan and execution* Supports management of market and competitive research provide updates to design and cross functional teams as necessary
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
* 8+ years of experience in Category Line and Business Management is required.* Experience with physical product development (CPG, consumer durables, etc).* Must have general knowledge of manufacturing materials, product development processes and costs.* Experience with the online and brick & mortar retail landscape is strongly preferred.* Prior experience managing the product P&L is required.* Relevant roles: product manager, product management, product development, innovation
EDUCATION & SKILLS
* Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Marketing or other related field or equivalent work-related experience is required. MBA strongly preferred.* Must have strong executive presence and ability to influence at all levels within the organization* Ability to execute and excel in high-paced organization* Ability to deal with changing environments, tight timelines and multiple priorities* Strong oral and presentation-based communication skills* Critical thinking and problem-solving skills that you can apply to all aspects of your work and interactions
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
* None required
COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Must be proficient in PowerPoint, Excel and Word
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
* While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear.* The team member frequently is required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.* The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell.* The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds.* Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
* General office environment
We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits. Plus, to keep things fun (because we are all kids at heart), we offer a host of team member activities and philanthropic efforts throughout the year and company-wide awards and recognition for a job well done!
Check out our website at www.kids2.com and our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more information and open positions in the career section.
Drug Free Workplace M/F/D/V
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