Adidas CATEGORY MANAGER 

Poland, Masovian Voivodeship, Warsaw 

559062554

Manager, omni-channel marketing (category management)

Drives cross-functional marketing execution. Influences the development of global GTM strategies through providing clear and relevant commercial input in terms of local consumer needs, market particularities, and channel needs.

Category Merchandising

• Deliver a powerful, complete, compelling, commercially viable local category range plan for the category assigned to support overall brand strategy, purpose and country business direction.
• Develop a focused channel & account strategy for category responsible-for with consideration of product & price positioning, store locations, customer profiles and trade dynamics of each channel and/or key accounts.
• Deliver accuracy in category range that caters to the channel and market’s needs with competitive pricing and profitable margins.
• Define the product distribution strategy based on channel and/or account’s profile through clear global/hub guidelines and down to door level.
• Manage category financial targets via delivering category forecast aligned with country business plans – focusing on net sales, margins, inventory, sell-out and market share; and device ways to achieve these targets.
• Align with SEA counterparts on category direction, retail launch cadences, allocation and range support.

Go-to-Market Process

• Contribute as part of the Omni-Channel team to deliver the best possible seasonal Go-to-Market calendar process.
• Streamline Go-to-Market processes and provide feedback to SEA on process improvements to deliver accuracy in forecasts and buys when and where needed.
• Align with in-country channel stakeholders on key Go-to-Market milestones and deliverables.
• Work with cross-functional teams – Brand communication and Visual Merchandising on calendar and campaign activation plans.
• Support Customer meetings for category of responsibility (i.e pre-lines, sell-in etc.) by finalizing Channel Segmentation guidelines, providing a comprehensive sell-in package, catalogue and recommendations to drive local business needs
• Support on in-country sample management for seasonal sell-ins and buy processes.

Category Performance

• Uses category data analysis to action on gaps and opportunities on the assigned categories (pre-season and in-season).
• Responsible for Sell-Through of category assigned and its campaigns and key products, triggering actionable points based on results with the objective of achieving targets.
• Drive category strategies through locally relevant executions, liaising well with country Brand activations teams (Brand comms, Visual Merchandising and Digital activation).
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and gaps that would develop/support local market growth.
• Lead all creation needs, validate SMU (product special make-up) requests for Philippines and leverage on SEA creation channels and Lockeroom to fulfill country needs to support business
• Follows in season brand calendar with related teams (Supply Chain, Channel Leads, Brand Activation and Omni Channel) and takes actions for execution of the calendar.
• Support Seasonal Category activation and Franchise calendar, including being consultant for Account SWB calendar

KPI's

• Market Share
• Market P&L for category (NS, Std margin, Contribution)
• Sell-out all channels
• 3-5 year category plan : achievement of key initiatives
• Brand and key categories NPS
• Execution excellence in brand concepts/ stories

Result oriented
Strong problem solving ability
Planning and organizing skills
Relationship management
Project management skills
Data analytical and strong numerical skills
Strong presentation and communication skills

Professional Background/Experience:
Functional: At least 2-3 years of brand and/or product category management
Industry: Experience in consumer products, preferably Retail or FMCG
Proficient in excel, e.g., formulas such as vlookup
Knowledge on data analytics program a plus, e.g. PowerBI

Outlook: Intermediate
Word: Intermediate
Excel: Advanced
Powerpoint: Intermediate

English: Fluent