EMEA Senior Category Manager - Lifestyle and Kids

New Balance; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global footwear company is seeking a Senior Category Merchandising Manager for the EMEA region, focusing on Lifestyle and Kids categories. The role involves driving merchandising strategy, managing pricing, and leading a dedicated team. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience in a category role, strong analytical skills, and effective communication abilities. This position offers a hybrid working model, with significant benefits including medical insurance and flexible hours.

Benefits

Discretionary Bonus Opportunity

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Scheme

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid working (3 days on-site)

25 days Annual Leave

Life Insurance

On Site Gym

Employee Discount

Qualifications

• Experience in a category specific role.
• Knowledge of the EMEA retail environment.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Drive the Lifestyle and Kids footwear categories in EMEA.
• Create and implement merchandising strategy.
• Develop rolling 5-year category plans.
• Manage pricing strategy with Finance team.
• Lead strategic cross category work streams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Time management

Knowledge of EMEA consumer trends

Tools

Microsoft Packages

Job description

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The Senior Category Merchandising Manager, EMEA (Lifestyle and Kids) will be responsible for driving the Lifestyle and Kids footwear categories in EMEA and deliver against the Global Merchandising Key Performance Indexes, Global strategic direction and Regional sales and profitability targets. We are looking for an individual with extensive relevant industry experience who is passionate about driving the category business and leading a dedication team in line with key strategic initiatives.

This role will require regular travel across the UK as well as internationally. We offer hybrid working anda flexibilityto working hours to accommodate for a healthy work life balance.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Create and implement the merchandising strategy for Lifestyle and Kids
• Develop and update rolling 5-year category plans to hit the regional revenue, profitability and growth targets
• Develop and maintain a consumer centric pricing strategy aligned to market intelligence
• Manage the pricing strategy in collaboration with the Finance team in order to deliver on both profitability and brand objectives
• Implement a DTC first approach
• Define and implement a clear regional distribution strategy based on an agreed upon hierarchy in close collaboration with the key account and sales teams
• Define a regional SMU strategy, supporting strategic partners in collaboration with the Channel Merchandising Team and the Product Creation Team
• Utilise market data and consumer analytics to drive ongoing decision making
• Deliver against key merchandising metrics – Efficiency, margin, category share, GM%
• Deliver compelling Go-To- Market plans to the markets
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Global Merchandising and Product teams to ensure that the EMEA market needs are met at key GTM milestones
• Be the voice of the EMEA region in all milestone meetings
• Hit all GTMdeadlines regarding range selection, forecasting, pricing
• Deliver accurate and detailed tools for the EMEA markets to use during sell in
• Present at monthly meetings and with Key wholesale partners
• Identify regional product/trend opportunities
• Conduct market, trend, competitor and consumer research and gain product feedback
• Build and maintain relationships with EMEA markets and manage effective information flow
• Lead strategic cross category work streams to address key topics as defined by the Senior Leadership team
• Manage and develop the Lifestyle team to ensure individual growth and development

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Previous experience in a category specific role
• European mentality
• Credible knowledge of EMEA consumer trends and market dynamics
• Knowledge of EMEA retail environment
• Demonstrates high initiative, energy, passion, decisiveness, attention to detail, and confidence
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a cross functional environment.
• Good technical product knowledge
• Excellent presentation skills- able to deliver to both small and large groups
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Packages
• Time management skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines to meet all merchandising/development deadlines
• People management

BENEFITS:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours
• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
• 25 days Annual Leave per year
• Life Insurance
• On Site Gym
• Employee Discount
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities via NB GivesBack
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
• Travel Assistance and Insurance when working abroad
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.