Manager - Product & Category

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Product Positioning and Messaging:

• Develop and refine compelling product messaging that resonates with target customers and aligns with category objectives.
• Create clear, concise, and impactful positioning that differentiates our products in the market.
• Work closely with product management and category leads to translating technical product details into customer-facing benefits and value propositions.

Go-To-Market Strategy and Execution:

• In partnership with Category Leads, collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute go-to-market strategies for new product launches and category expansions.
• Support the development of comprehensive launch plans that include competitive analysis, market insights, and promotional strategies.
• Track the effectiveness of go-to-market initiatives and adjust strategies as needed to meet business objectives.

Monthly Reporting on Competitor Activity:

• Deliver detailed, monthly reports on competitor activity, including new product launches, marketing campaigns, pricing strategies, and any shifts in market positioning.
• Track competitor performance and strategic initiatives, analyzing how they impact the overall market landscape and customer perceptions.
• Collaborate with the sales and product teams to assess how competitor movements may influence current or future product offerings.
• Identify opportunities or threats based on competitor actions and market trends, helping to guide product and marketing strategy adjustments.

Sales Enablement:

• Create sales narratives that empower the sales team to effectively position and sell products in the assigned category.
• Collaborate with sales teams to ensure alignment between marketing campaigns and sales goals.

Customer Insights and Feedback:

• Work closely with customer success and support teams to gather feedback, identify pain points, and ensure customer needs are addressed in the product development process.
• Translate customer insights into actionable marketing strategies and initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with product management, brand marketing, and communications teams to ensure cohesive product launches and ongoing marketing efforts.
• Act as the voice of the category to ensure alignment between marketing, product, and sales teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field of study.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in a category management role, preferably within a consumer goods organization; experience with skin care, esthetics or personal care companies is highly desirable.
• Ability to analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior.
• Develop and implement category strategies to drive growth.
• Effectively communicate with suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders.
• Stay updated with market trends and competitor activities.
• Understanding of category management principles and techniques.
• Negotiate and optimize product positioning for best marketing outcome.
• Microsoft Office Proficiency, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, for data analysis and reporting.
• Understanding of financial principles and ability to analyze profitability and sales data.
• Project Management: Ability to manage and prioritize tasks.

Work Environment: The work is typically indoors in an office environment with occasional visits to field or customer locations for market research.

Work Schedule: Hybrid - 3 days in Irvine California office location, with 2 days remote

Physical and Mental Demands: Sedentary, exerting up to ten pounds of force occasionally, or negligible amounts of force frequently, to move objects. This job also requires constant sitting. Constant use of the upper extremities is required to reach, handle, and position tools and equipment. The employee must know and follow proper safety protocols and maintain a professional and polished appearance. The employee must also be able to maintain and preserve confidentiality of company information, exhibit strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders including external partners to foster collaboration and implement consistent messaging company wide.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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