Merchandising Manager/Senior Manager, Japan

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Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Position Title:                                                        Merchandising Manager/Senior Manager, Japan

Location:                                                                  Tokyo, Japan

Reports to:                                                              Director, Programming & Scheduling, Japan

(with dotted line report to US)

Legal Entity:                                                          Turner Japan K.K

General Summary:

Genre expert on the Merchandising team which is responsible for maximizing the full potential of content across all pillars on MAX.

Key Responsibilities:

• Goals
  • Oversee Japan Merchandising in the creation and implementation of goals (OKRs), priorities and merchandising strategies to maximize the full potential of content on Max.
  • Lead and coach the UNext Merchandising team in establishing tasks, managing the progress of initiatives and being responsible for the overall well-being and development of content / brand hubs
  • Manage internal and external stakeholders with timely and clear communication, keeping appropriate people informed while maintaining composure when challenged.
  • Lead UNext team through major company-initiatives (e.g. new product launches, strategic global content initiatives, etc.)   
  • Lead UNext steadily through change and constant evolution of the organization and business strategies.
  • Foster consistent and productive collaboration throughout the team in order to break silos and leverage the entire team’s expertise.
  • Collaborate with other regional leads on the Max and Discovery+ teams to find efficiencies, get learnings and share resources.

• Strategy
  • Collaborate closely with Unext Campaigns, CRM, Product, Data, Marketing teams, and others as applicable, to drive the overall engagement and retention strategy as well as leverage subscriber growth events.
  • Partner with regional business leads (e.g. APAC DTC Streaming Lead) to contribute to the region’s overall business goals and communicate those back to Global leadership.
  • Leverage merchandising strategies to improve content discoverability, minutes/impression, impression efficiency, content diversity, and other relevant KPIS that improve the engagement/retention of subscribers on Max.
  • Use data to drive decisions and share actionable insights and recommendations with the APAC Merchandising team as well as other stakeholders. 
  • Work with Experimentation team to optimize all aspects of platform and drive A/B testing for the region.
  • Stay in sync and connected to the pulse of the market to leverage zeitgeist moments into content discovery opportunities.

• Operational

• Ensure Unext has premiere dates / all materials (key art, assets, programs) in a timely manner for simulcast premiere. This involves coordination with various internal stakeholders. 
• Constant update of content schedule for planning purpose
• Owns day-to-day curation and execution of various genre rails and campaigns and work closely with Unext Merchandising team on execution of overall experience
• Regularly updates of rails and pages based on feedback from Page Lead, priority content calendar, and acute awareness of cultural moments in the market
• Partners with Unext campaigns team to execute our vision
• Implements the testing and learn campaigns.
• Uses data from the Editorial Analysis & Insights team to inform merchandising decisions on day to day basis  
• Approve site/UX layouts for Campaigns.
• Collaboration with Unext Merchandising Analysis & Insights and Merch Ops team to receive the right data in timely and efficient manner.Deliver weekly report and update US (Jennie Morris) and Singapore (Magdalene Ew) team
• Owner of implementing end-to-end merchandising global frameworks but ensuring decisions and plans tailored to Japan’s needs, subscribers, and content offering.
• Work closely with US internation teams to propose creative campaigns and give access to UNext on all creative required.
• Ensures consistency of unique editorial voice across the product. Approve Japanese copy-writing for all rails.
• Consumer Obsessed: highly respect the consumer and their connections with their favorite content
• Intrapersonal Excellence: Working relationships with Scheduling, CS&A, Programming, Content Ops, Enterprise Metadata, and Image teams; comfort collaborating with functions including Data / Reporting
• Great attention to detail, creative thinker and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Involved weekly report on performance of content on MAX, recommendations on how to drive acqusition, improve content exposure and engagement.
• Self Research skills in entertainment trends and ability to incorporate into strategy
• Strong writing skills and loves a creative brainstorm
• Relentless pursuit of operations and work-flow efficiency
• Ability to quickly learn new processes and Unext product features / capabilities
• High self-initiative and motivation with the ability to work well under pressure
• Self-starter with a positive, “can-do” attitude

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Passionate and knowledgeable about all things content: deep familiarity with WBD’s catalog (scripted, Kids, Factual and Lifestyle) and specifically the Max content offerings, strong familiarity with competitor’s content catalogs and local trends
• Data-Driven: Has experience analyzing data and using it to optimize the right time and right place to present the right content to our subscribers. Working knowledge of evolving performance metrics and implementation into strategy
• Data-Driven: extremely comfortable analyzing data and using it to optimize our work: level of effort vs consumer impact. Demonstrated evidence of implementing shifts in strategy, based on quantitative evidence.
• Consumer Obsessed: tenacious focus on the consumer, delivering seamless and delightful experiences through UNext, connecting them with their favorite content.
• Bi-Lingual and be prepared to work on US time zone.
• Great presentation skills
• Operational Excellence:
  • Extensive professional experience in project management, stakeholder management, and executive communications.
  • Ability to manage a high volume of detailed and accurate information.
  • Relentless pursuit of operations and work-flow efficiency.
  • Proficiency in Digital editorial operations and workflows with a commanding knowledge of various editorial tools and CMS's.
  • Ability to quickly learn, assimilate, and train others on new processes and product innovations. 
  • Ability to anticipate and navigate changes within the business and lead UNext through these effectively.
• Interpersonal Excellence:
  • Strong relationships with Scheduling, CS&A, Programming, Marketing, CRM, Content Ops, Enterprise Metadata, and Image teams.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Comfortable with collaborating across multiple business units, comfort operating in “influence without authority” situations.
  • Extensive experience working with senior leaders, Product, Data and Reporting.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at   along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

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