Category Manager, Hardlines - EMEA

6000 Warner Bros. Entertainment UK Limited; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the entertainment sector is seeking a Category Manager for Hardlines across EMEA. The role involves managing strategic directions, working closely with local teams, and taking responsibility for assigned licensees in toys and publishing markets. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in sales and a well-rounded knowledge of the industry.

Benefits

Private medical health care

Life insurance

MyBenefit cafeteria including sport card

Social funds

Retirement pension plans

Employee referral program

Work-life balance initiatives

Training & development opportunities

Casual dress code

Qualifications

• 5+ years previous sales-related experience and/or buying experience required.
• Good working knowledge of the Toys and Publishing industries.
• Knowledge of the Licensing Industry preferable.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to setting strategic direction for Publishing category in EMEA.
• Devise and execute category strategic plan with Director – Hardlines.
• Lead relationships with licensees in Publishing and Toy categories.

Skills

Sales-related experience

Knowledge of Toys and Publishing industries

Soft skills

Creativity and innovation

Flexibility and solution-oriented

Job description

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Category Manager, Hardlines - EMEA, London

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Client:

6000 Warner Bros. Entertainment UK Limited

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

f74229b0ba33

Job Views:

6

Posted:

17.06.2025

Expiry Date:

01.08.2025

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Job Description:

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 bringing our characters to life, the bringing them to your living rooms and the 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.

The Category Manager Hardlines EMEA manages the EMEA Publishing category in close collaboration with the local Publishing teams, is responsible for implementation of business strategies to drive the short, mid and long-term growth of their respective areas. The Category Manager plays a key role in facilitating connectivity and meaningful collaboration for the Toy and Publishing categories across the EMEA and other regions.This role also involves the full operational responsibility for assigned licensees in the Toy and Publishing categories.

Role responsibilities:

• Contribute to setting the strategic direction and priorities for the Publishing category in EMEA against consumer segments and Publishing formats.
• Devise and execute the category strategic plan for the Publishing category with the support of the Director – Hardlines.
• Lead the relationship with assigned regional/multi-territory licensees in the Publishing and Toy categories, including conducting negotiations and execution of licensing deals, creating business plans, forecasting as well as reporting.
• Build relationships with relevant Publishing category peers and colleagues across the regions.
• Work closely with the Director, LEGO to implement regional business plans and bring to market global and regional retail executions that support WBD Brand and Franchise priorities.
• Occasional travel to EMEA markets for licensee meetings/trade fairs Input into strategic projects as required.

What we expect:

• 5+ years previous sales-related experience and/ or buying experience required.
• Good working knowledge of the Toys and Publishing industries with an understanding of the European and other key regional markets.
• Knowledge of the Licensing Industry preferable.
• Experience of working in an International environment preferred.
• Developed soft skills at a high level.
• Candidate who displays creativity and innovation in work, as well as responsive, flexible and solution oriented in all interactions.

We offer:

• contract of employment
• benefit package: private medical health care, life insurance, MyBenefit cafeteria including sport card, social funds, retirement pension plans, recognition platform, employee referral program
• work-life balance initiatives: wellbeing platform, yoga, massages, educational webinars, Employee Assistance Program, internal media initiatives
• training & development: sharing the cost of English lessons, Employee Resource Groups, e-learning platform, sharing sessions with experts, periodic movie shows in the office cinema room, CSR activities: volunteering, eco & social initiatives
• casual dress code
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.

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 bringing our characters to life, the bringing them to your living rooms and the 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.

The Category Manager Hardlines EMEA manages the EMEA Publishing category in close collaboration with the local Publishing teams, is responsible for implementation of business strategies to drive the short, mid and long-term growth of their respective areas. The Category Manager plays a key role in facilitating connectivity and meaningful collaboration for the Toy and Publishing categories across the EMEA and other regions.This role also involves the full operational responsibility for assigned licensees in the Toy and Publishing categories.

Role responsibilities:

Contribute to setting the strategic direction and priorities for the Publishing category in EMEA against consumer segments and Publishing formats.

Devise and execute the category strategic plan for the Publishing category with the support of the Director – Hardlines.

Lead the relationship with assigned regional/multi-territory licensees in the Publishing and Toy categories, including conducting negotiations and execution of licensing deals, creating business plans, forecasting as well as reporting.

Build relationships with relevant Publishing category peers and colleagues across the regions.

Work closely with the Director, LEGO to implement regional business plans and bring to market global and regional retail executions that support WBD Brand and Franchise priorities.

Occasional travel to EMEA markets for licensee meetings/trade fairs Input into strategic projects as required.

What we expect:

5+ years previous sales-related experience and/ or buying experience required.

Good working knowledge of the Toys and Publishing industries with an understanding of the European and other key regional markets.

Knowledge of the Licensing Industry preferable.

Experience of working in an International environment preferred.

Developed soft skills at a high level.

Candidate who displays creativity and innovation in work, as well as responsive, flexible and solution oriented in all interactions.

We offer:

contract of employment

benefit package: private medical health care, life insurance, MyBenefit cafeteria including sport card, social funds, retirement pension plans, recognition platform, employee referral program

work-life balance initiatives: wellbeing platform, yoga, massages, educational webinars, Employee Assistance Program, internal media initiatives

training & development: sharing the cost of English lessons, Employee Resource Groups, e-learning platform, sharing sessions with experts, periodic movie shows in the office cinema room, CSR activities: volunteering, eco & social initiatives

casual dress code

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.