Assistant Category Manager, Toys, Hardlines & Publishing EMEA

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

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. Games, fashion, and toys only scratch the surface of ways we take Universal stories and characters from the screen and put them into fans' daily lives around the globe. Along with franchise brand management, UP&E’s core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms. We take properties such as Jurassic World, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Minions, Fast & Furious from our creative content engines like Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation partner with best-in-class category leaders (e.g. Mattel, Lego, PUMA, Primark, Ferrero etc.) to create amazing products for our fans. UP&E is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

UP&E is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

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. In order to achieve this culture, we live by our 3 values:

• Being Human Matters to Us
• Together We Can Achieve Anything
• We Always Keep Growing
  
  

Armed with a positive attitude and a growth mindset, the new Assistant Category Manager will have the opportunity to join the Toys, Hardlines & Publishing EMEA Team within the Universal, Products & Experiences (UP&E) group.

As part of UP&E, the Assistant Category Manager will support the Toys, Hardlines & Publishing business to deliver the agreed long-term strategy and deliver a sustainable business that achieves the Company’s annual revenue targets.

Specifically, the Assistant Category Manager, will work closely with the Hardlines Director EMEA (HLD) and team to manage a portfolio of partners and categories across the Toys, Hardlines & Publishing portfolio, and work closely to support the management of key global Licensees.

The role will also support the day-to-day operations, such as (but not limited to) reviewing marketing submissions, create and maintain documents to manage Licensees, products and territory rights, as well as ensure the upkeep of the Hardlines SharePoint folders and organise events with key Licensees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Licensee Management

• Manage a portfolio of licensees across Toys, Hardlines and Publishing.
• Support HLD with management of Licensee base, forecast processes, marketing approvals & contract management.
• Develop great relationships and drive efficient communications with Licensees to ensure alignment of joint business strategies, to convey regular updates on franchise performance and to pitch new properties. Proactively create informative documents to enable this.

Category Management

• Support HLD & team with ongoing analysis & initiatives that facilitate growth
• Lead day-to-day relationships with category stakeholders including Licensees, internal Category and Country teams with processes & documents where required
• Support in facilitating product development, enhancing effective communications within the Creative Team and communicate with Licensees to maintain and instruct critical paths & timings for product ranges
• Critically evaluate the Licensee base to ensure we have the right amount of quality partners by category

Retail Development

• Collaborate with UP&E Retail teams to optimize existing categories at strategic retail channels, whilst also identifying & developing new product opportunities to grow UP&E market share
• Develop relationships with local country Category, Retail & Marketing teams to drive the joint execution of the Toys, Publishing & Hardlines strategies.
• Undertake ad hoc store visits, insight reports, remain vigilant of trends and local Country and cultural nuances to inform the evolution of new product development.

Finance & Business Operations

• Work with the HLD on business operations including contract management for new and existing Licensees, the critical path and functions required for contract renewals and extensions in company systems (CRM and RSG), from Licensee negotiations where relevant, Deal Memo creation to contract execution in line with the company protocol.
• Obtain and manage quarterly sales projections from Licensees targeting accuracy in the forecasting process, contribute to quarterly forecast presentations, flagging insights to support changes to the annual plan.

Franchise Strategy Support

• Ensure the Licensee product and category strategies align with, and support the UP&E franchise vision, ensuring products are refreshed and true to franchise characters.
• Identify category and audience gaps by franchise, developing products to continually drive consumer engagement with Universal content and characters
• Work with Licensees and Franchise teams to drive the marketing and visibility of UP&E product ranges where appropriate

Relationship Building – EMEA & International Teams

• Ensure positive communication with internal stakeholders including Legal, Finance, Product Development, Promotions, Franchise & Retail teams to maximize synergy and a value-driven company culture
• Continual fluid communication with Country teams, sharing and seeking relevant information
• Live, breathe and amplify the great energy of the team

Operational Duties

• Manage marketing submissions
• Manage Licensee documents
• Co-ordinate attendance for key events e.g. Brand Licensing Europe, Nuremberg Toy Fair

ABOUT YOU

• Adaptable, agile & flexible – able to pivot quickly, adapt strategies and deal with change.
• Willing to learn – open to new skills, ways of working, how things work and why.
• Relationship builder – able to flex style, understand needs, build a strong network and work within a matrixed environment.
• Global & holistic thinker – understand the wider context.
• Commercially curious – continuously seeking to understand the market.
• Willing to get stuck in – hard worker, who is not rigid with the ability to prioritise, manage own time and respond quickly and efficiently.
• Trusted to deliver – autonomous, taking on ownership and responsibility for tasks.
• Resilient – not afraid to fall, getting back up and keep putting in the effort.
• Passionate –

SKILLS / QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (if applicable)

• Fluent in English
• Experience in the Toy Industry, commercial or marketing environments with excellent organizational skills and a proven track record of managing multiple stakeholder relationships
• Collaborative & values driven individual with ability to work under pressure, prioritize & be flexible to business needs
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word & PowerPoint) with attention to detail & ability to produce clear, effective documents
  
  

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.