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 Manager, Football will lead the Global Category for Footwear, Equipment and Accessories. This includes the full lifecycle of the products, from initiation to governing the category strategies to ensure they align to long term and seasonal ambitions. You will lead a team and drive the categories from concept to consumer workstreams, ensuring successful delivery of a world class Football Footwear, Equipment and Accessories proposition.


Working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders globally, you will drive the success and performance within the football footwear, equipment and accessories category- ensuring all product specifications are available for manufacturing and production. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of football footwear and a proven ability to juggle multiple projects. They will excel in paying close attention to details and effectively influencing and guiding the product development team.


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

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Implementation of the category concept to commercialization process from development of the strategic seasonal framework, product architecture and briefing through to commercial GTM hand-off Lead and coordinate the Global Football Footwear, Equipment & Accessories creation team through each aspect of the category creation disciplines (In-Line, Innovation, SMU, Athlete, Go To Market) Partner with the Product Development Team to inform and shape functional strategies aligned to the long-term category ambition Develop multi-functional and geographical partnerships to advance the category ambition and strengthen GBU visibility Prioritise functional GBU Brand and Sports Marketing partnerships to ensure category storytelling and athlete integration is blended within seasonal strategies Drive inter-functional partnerships between Design, Project Managers, Development and Innovation counterparts to consistently deliver an extraordinary product proposition Reconcile resource and capacity to manage In-Line, Innovation, SMU, Athlete and GTM workstreams, aligned to category strategies Work closely with the global and regional Merchandising associates to ensure the proposition reflects and responds to priority market strategies Drive prioritisation of the category GMT contribution to ensure best in class suite that impact the commercial hand-off for the regional counterparts. Implement third-party collaboration partnerships, aligning seasonal category strategies Instilling our Brand Narratives within our seasonal category proposition to ensure a OneNB approach to category integration Work closely with Sports Marketing counterparts to ensure Athlete Partnerships are optimised and impacted through acquisition, onboarding and servicing Develop Key Account Strategic Partnerships to support and drive product excellence, adoption and advocacy Leverage multiple Insights (inclusive of NB Consumer Insights and Analytics) within the conception to commercialization phase to ensure saliency and competitiveness of the category proposition Oversee critical System Governance to ensure GBU responsibilities are met ion-time in-full Develop partnerships with supply/vendor counterparts to ensure visibility and alignment of category seasonal intent/strategy Lead category conduit in critical category touch points in service of strategic and seasonal category objectives Drive Product Performance metrics to ensure a responsible approach to seasonal category strategies

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

Educated to degree or equivalent combination of Related Industry Experience Strong leadership skills with previous experience of line management is required Extensive experience with the full product life cycle of footwear Thorough knowledge of the sports industry High level of project management skills Strategic problem solver capable to lead projects from concept to validation and is very comfortable in a fast-paced and changing environment Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills Strong innovative and problem-solving skills Highly organised and a great teammate

BENEFITS:

Discretionary Bonus Opportunity Private Medical Insurance Dental Scheme Pension Scheme Flexible Working Hours (07:00 - 10:00 start, 15:00 -18:00 finish) Hybrid working (3 days on-site) 25 days Annual Leave per year Life Insurance On Site Gym Employee Discount Opportunity to work abroad for four weeks per year 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.


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