Category Manager, Consumer Products- Minecraft - Microsoft Corporation

At Microsoft, our goal is to enable every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more. In the Gaming division, we support this mission by bringing the joy and community of gaming to everyone. To accomplish this, it is essential that our gaming vision and strategy are clearly understood by the amazing teams that make up Microsoft Gaming. From our skilled studio personnel to our dynamic marketing and sales teams, and everyone in between, every member of Team Xbox feels connected to the goals we strive to achieve. We are seeking a Category Manager to oversee our Licensing division for Home and Health and Beauty categories. You will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to drive growth within these categories. This role requires an analytical mindset, strategic vision, and a passion for licensing. The Category Manager will have multiple years of experience in category or product management, with extensive understanding of consumer products business and retail landscapes in the United States. The Category Manager is detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and deliver impact through strong organizational and project management skills. To be successful you must be a motivated self-starter with the ability to work in fast paced environment. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. In the end, it's the people of Game Content & Studios that make this place truly special. When you join, you'll find yourself in the company of incredibly bright, warm, and creative individuals - all united and working toward a single goal. Come help us reach it! **Responsibilities** **Role Responsibilities:** + Responsible for developing and implementing business strategies for Home, Health and Beauty, and our own ecommerce store + Identify and analyze market trends, white space, and competitive landscape to drive category growth + Assist with annual operating plan and manage quarterly forecast process, developing licensee objectives and initiatives to drive growth + Actively manage and develop partnerships with new and existing licensees + Negotiate licensing agreements, manage contract terms, and onboarding of partners + Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, creative, and retail to develop innovative and impactful programs + Embody our Culture (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/culture) & Values (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/corporate-values) **Qualifications** **Required** **Qualifications** **:** + Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Business Development, Business Management, Communications, or related field AND 3+ years sales, marketing, or business development experience + OR equivalent experience + Experience in consumer products business and retail landscapes in the United States **Preferred Qualifications:** + 4+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field OR equivalent experience. Partner Marketing IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $83,400 - $167,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $108,900 - $183,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 29, 2024 \#gamingjobs Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .