Job Description

Company Description

Universal Products & Experience 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, Universal Brand Development\'s core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms. We take properties such as Jurassic World, Minions, Back to the Future, and Trolls from our creative content engines like Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation partner with best-in-class category leaders (e.g. Mattel, Lego, Reebok, Target, Microsoft, etc.) to create amazing products for our fans. Universal Products & Experience is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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Universal Products & Experience 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. \xe2\x80\x8b \xe2\x80\x8b

At Universal Products & Experience 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:\xe2\x80\x8b

Being Human Matters to Us\xe2\x80\x8b

Together We Can Achieve Anything\xe2\x80\x8b

We Always Keep Growing\xe2\x80\x8b



An exciting opportunity to join the EMEA Team within the Universal Products & Experiences group!

As part of Universal Products & Experiences the Assistant Category Manager Hardlines EMEA will support the Hardlines business and will help to deliver the agreed long-term strategy for UPE in EMEA to deliver a sustainable business that achieves the Company\xe2\x80\x99s annual revenue targets.

Specifically, the Assistant Category Manager Hardlines EMEA will work closely with the Director Hardlines EMEA to manage \xe2\x80\x98hands on\xe2\x80\x99 the hardlines partners and categories including (but not limited to) Publishing & Stationery.

Additionally, the the Assistant Category Manager Hardlines EMEA will work closely with the Director Hardlines EMEA to support the management of key global Licensees including (but not limited to) Mattel & LEGO.

To support the smooth day-to-day operation of the team the Assistant Category Manager Hardlines EMEA will help with admin including (but not limited to) reviewing/approving marketing submissions in MediaBox, managing Licensee lists/mapping grids, event invite lists, managing the Hardlines SharePoint and helping to organise summits with key Licensees.

Key Responsibilities

Category Management

• Support the HL Director (HLD) with ongoing analysis & initiatives that facilitate growth for the hardlines (HL) categories Publishing & Stationery.
• Support HLD in facilitating product development with HL category, enhancing effective communications within the Creative Team, and support Licensees adhering to critical path & timings
• Build Licensee sales presentations and regularly update Licensees on franchise performance and pitch new properties
• Maintain day-to-day relationships with Licensees, category teams and retailers

Licensee Management

• Support HLD & with management of Licensee base, communicating directly with Licensees to keep them updated on NBCU Franchise plans, coordinate meetings and support forecast and contract management.
• Manage Marketing Approvals for Licensees including Publishing PartWorks partners
• With support from the HLD critically evaluate the Licensee base to ensure we have the right amount of best quality partners
• Direct communication with allocated Licensees
• With support from the HLD negotiate the best deals (inline with CP guidelines and business objectives) and manage the process from contract to product development and execution

Commercial Development

• Work with the retail team to identify key retail partners for your categories, opportunities and trends
• Develop relationships with the decision makers in key markets
• Understand key seasonality\xe2\x80\x99s and important dates on the retail calendar
• Quarterly Store Visits & Reports

Finance & Business Support

• Work with the HLD to implement Licensee deal data entry, and ensure that a deal critical path - from Business Plan submission to contract full execution - is handled according to the Company\'s timeline & procedures
• Obtain quarterly sales projections from Licensees in support of the forecasting process, to provide Category input to the multi-year strategic plan and highlight upsides or sensitivities

Relationship Building \xe2\x80\x93 EMEA & International Teams

• Ongoing liaison with internal teams & agents providing information & regular updates
• Work cross category with the HL, PD, Promotions, Franchise & Retail teams and Universal departments to maximize synergy activity and develop promotional opportunities
• Amplify the great energy of the team
• With support from the HLD negotiate the best deals (inline with CP guidelines and business objectives) and manage the process from contract to product development & execution

Admin Duties

• Manage marketing submissions in MediaBox
• Manage Licensee lists/mapping grids
• Manage invite lists for events e.g. BLE, Nuremberg & Bologna Book Fair
• Manage the Hardlines SharePoint
• Helping to organise summits with key Hardlines Licensees

Qualifications

About You

• Adaptable, agile & flexible \xe2\x80\x93 able to pivot quickly, adapt strategies and deal with change.
• Willing to learn \xe2\x80\x93 open to new skills, ways of working, how things work and why.
• Relationship builder \xe2\x80\x93 able to flex style, understand needs, build a strong network and work within a matrixed environment.
• Global & holistic thinker \xe2\x80\x93 understand the wider context..
• Commercially curious \xe2\x80\x93 continuously seeking to understand the market.
• Willing to get stuck in \xe2\x80\x93 hard worker, who is not rigid with the ability to prioritise, manage own time and respond quickly and efficiently.
• Trusted to deliver \xe2\x80\x93 autonomous, taking on ownership and responsibility for tasks.
• Resilient \xe2\x80\x93 not afraid to fall, getting back up and keep putting in the effort.
• Passionate \xe2\x80\x93 energetic, engaged, positive and desiring to make a difference.
• Kind \xe2\x80\x93 empathetic, caring, generous and willing to listen in all interactions.

SKILLS / QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in a Commercial Team or a marketing environment with proven track record of attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines
• Go getting team player with strong communication skills at all levels
• Multi-tasker with the ability to be flexible & hit deadlines
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)
• Fluent in English and ideally one important language within the EMEA region

Additional Information

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. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by emailing .

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