Bike & Snow Global Category Manager

EssilorLuxottica; Italia; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leonardo learning platform access

Flexible work conditions

Health insurance coverage

Meal vouchers

Employee discounts on eyewear

Job summary

EssilorLuxottica is seeking a Category Manager to lead the global Bike and Snow performance product lines. You will collaborate with design, development, sourcing, procurement, marketing and sales to align strategy with growth, margin and profit goals from concept to market.

The role requires market insights, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to forecast and drive new product introductions across regions and channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Marketing, Economics, Business, Merchandising, Fashion/Clothing Management or related field.
• 3–4+ years experience in sports industry preferred.
• Experience in product merchandising and development.

Responsibilities

• Research global market, identify opportunities, review competition, and push launch of Bike and Snow products at correct price points.
• Analyze past business cases to plan 1.5+ years ahead.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Communication

Problem solving

Creativity

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Marketing, Economics, Business, Merchandising, Fashion/Clothing Management

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

If you’ve worn a pair of glasses, we’ve already met.

We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products (such as the Essilor brand, with Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions), iconic brands that consumers love (such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Vogue Eyewear and Costa), as well as a network that offers consumers high-quality vision care and best-in-class shopping experiences (such as Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Salmoiraghi & Viganò and the GrandVision network), and leading e-commerce platforms.

Join our global community of over 190,000 dedicated employees around the world in driving the transformation of the eyewear and eyecare industry.

Your #FutureInSight with EssilorLuxottica

Are you willing to pioneer new frontiers, foster inclusivity and collaboration, embrace agility, ignite passion, and make a positive impact on the world? Join us in redefining the boundaries of what’s possible.

Your role

We are looking for a Category Manager who will be responsible for running the research, coordination and assisting in the execution of the global Bike and Snow performance product lines. This position requires finding insights into the needs of the global consumer, retailers, and athletes, both from the current market perspective as well as future growth opportunities for performance apparel and accessories. The Category Manger is required to monitor category sales and be active in the forecasting process and provide analysis on business trend and investment. This person will work within the Global Product Department – sitting within Merchandising but coordinating between Design, Development, Sourcing, Procurement, Marketing and Sales - to support the identity and execution of the Bike and Snow product line with the objective of hitting corporate growth, margin and profit goals from concept to market.

Main responsibilities

• Research the global market to identify opportunities, review competition and product innovation, anticipate and track emerging trends, materials, consumer needs, etc. to successfully push, build and launch commercial, performance and innovative Bike and Snow product in the market at correct price points
• Analyze current and past business cases to think critically on a timeline that launches 1.5 years minimum in the future
• Initiate and manage cross departmental / channel communications, product feedback with sales partners, and inputs from the regional teams to ensure Oakley has innovative, premium, technical products that drive sales to meet corporate goals
• Support in the collection building and product management by briefing creative teams on direction, forecast, target FOBs, product features and price positioning working within the product development and sales calendar to meet deadlines to ensure the timely execution of the product line
• Work closely with the Product Development team during internal prototype reviews to manage costs and margins in support of the category manager
• Lineplan management skills, including detail-oriented data entry, tracking SKU efficiency, productivity a must to targeted company goals
• Partners with Sales, Marketing, Design, and Development teams to create compelling, brand authentic, and sport performance-centric product stories, from brief to GTM
• Support in the creation of documents aimed at the global product design review meetings, and support in the presentation of collections to the Sales and marketing team and/or direct client presentations during the product development cycle and at regional and global Sales meetings
• Organize complex data fields, documents and work flows to be efficient, precise, and timely
• Participate in the sourcing, building and partnership for Collaborations and Special Projects with some of the most exciting brands, sports personalities, et al. in the world
• Actively maintains running dialog within the Merchandising team to ensure consistency and internal alignment on expectations and deliverables

Main requirements:

• Degree in Marketing, Economics, Business, Merchandising, Fashion/Clothing Management or related field.
• Alternatively, a proven track record, of at least 3-4+ years’ experience preferably in the sports industry would be considered.
• Experience in product merchandising and development.
• Excellent Excel, Windows and Powerpoint skills, Illustrator and/or Photoshop and/or InDesign experience a plus
• Deep interest and knowledge of the sport (Bike and/or Snow) market in a professional and/or personal capacity is appreciated.
• Strong Analytical skills, problem solving, critical thinking, and creative attitude.
• Ability to build strong relationships externally as internally
• Presentation skills, especially to large groups
• Capacity to deal with and resolve complex situations
• Ability to communicate effectively, not afraid to ask questions

What’s in it for you

In EssilorLuxottica, you are not defined just by your job title. Each career adventure is unique; have a glimpse of some of the benefits you will enjoy as a successful candidate:

• Access to our cutting-edge learning platform, Leonardo, and personalized development programs to help you grow professionally and personally.
• Enjoy flexible work conditions, health insurance coverage, ticket restaurants, internal rooftop canteen.
• Access special offers for employees on a vast range of eyewear, eye care products, and fashion apparel, so you can enjoy our world-class brands firsthand.
• Enjoy our “Disconnect Program” a holistic approach to work-life balance, including initiatives for mental health, yoga, jogging sessions, and more, designed to help you recharge and stay healthy.

Our recruitment process may vary; If you are selected, you will be contacted by our recruiters to guide you through the specific steps for your application.

Salary Package:

• Performance Bonus: An additional Management by Objectives (MBO) bonus as percentage of the annual gross salary.
• Supplementary Health insurance coverage
• Supplementary Pension Plan
• Access to the EssilorLuxottica Corporate Welfare Catalog
• Transportation – Discounted pass
• Meal Vouchers as per company guidelines
• Exclusive employee discounts on company products
• Company-provided laptop and mobile phone

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and provide equal opportunities to all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes us unique.