Category Director, Toys & Hardlines, Greater China
NBCUniversal
- 上海市
- 长期
- 全职
- Grasps the forces that drive strategy, including consumer behavior, technology, retail, and can define vision, strategic direction & priorities
- Develop, execute and communicate strategies in sync with UP&E China leadership, studio, franchise
- Develop overall product, line segmentation and licensee strategy to maximize China business
- Prepare, review and submit China's annual budget and quarterly forecasts to VP & GM UP&E China and local finance
- Evaluate and analyze licensee business plans and quarterly sales forecasts, setting and delivering achievable sales goals
- Possess a strong working knowledge of category financials and as warranted, override licensee projections to accurately reflect the latest market conditions
- Manage contract negotiations by analyzing licensee business plans
- Provide day to day direction and effective growth strategies for the Toys & Hardlines business in China market
- Maintain knowledge of current industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics to aid in the management of key licensees
- Analyze category and review business in order to identify short and long term product trends and revenue-generating “white-space” opportunities
- Actively develop and manage a portfolio of licensees to grow the business; critically evaluate the licensee base to ensure we have the right amount and best quality partners
- Maintain productive relationships and partnerships for the benefit of the organization
- Work with the CP team in China and the various UP&E/NBCU departments and ensure timely execution of essential licensing functions: contract negotiations & maintenance, regular business reviews, product development process and product approvals
- Work with the UP&E franchise team and studio content partners to ensure optimized content for your market
- Define and integrate key licensees within wider brand and marketing plans
- Provide local business input to strategic and brand planning across product categories to enhance brand impact
- Liaise with local retail development teams to complement account promotions, marketing plans and to ensure key licensee participation
- Collaborate with the e-commerce team to develop category business development strategies on the e-commerce platforms
- Maintain knowledge of seasonality and buying cycles of key retailers
- Engage directly and build relationships with largest and most important retail category buyers
- Responsible for growth and development of direct reports
- Perform general supervisory functions such as hiring, on-boarding, coaching, performance management and development of direct reports
- Attract, retain and motivate top talent and staff
- 8+ years licensor or category management experience in the brand licensing industry, preferably with experience of managing toys & hardlines category in China
- 4+ years minimum managerial experience of a team required with demonstrated leadership ability
- Excellent understanding of brand and property positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail/e-commerce environment in China market. Merchandise management experience from renowned theme parks will be a good plus
- Comprehensive knowledge of consumer products brand marketing tactics and approaches in local market
- Current network of strong relationships with licensees, distributors and retailers
- Great leadership skills to motivate and engage team members
- Proven track record delivering growth with solid analytical / financial skills
- Strategic thinker able to communicate a compelling vision for the business. Able to articulate the overall business goals into actionable category strategy to achieve great business results
- Collaborative leader with ability to work independently and with cross-divisional teams
- Curious, open to change and possesses a reasonable comfort level with ambiguity
- Fluent written and oral communication skills in both Chinese and English
- Excellent presentation skills in front of global stakeholders and external partners
- Willing and able to travel across Greater China and/or international trips, sometimes with short notice
- Global brand and or consumer products category licensing experience in China local market
- Passionate about film and IPs, great interest in driving IP's empowerment on consumer products
- Proven ability to pitch properties and products with strong negotiation skills and the ability to close deals
- Self-motivated professional with ability to work with team spirit
- Experience of working in an international environment will be preferred