Senior Manager, North America Hardlines

About the Role & Team:

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives. From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world!

Be Part of the story as the Senior Manager, North America Hardlines at The Walt Disney Company! We are responsible for the commercialization and financial health of a key Hardlines product category.  You will lead and drive core Toy categories in the Boys space across key North American licensees and lead the development of North America strategies, with partners and collaborators on the execution of those strategies. This role will report to the Director, North America Brand Commercialization.

What You Will Do:

• Define category and brand strategy by reviewing market share and data analytics to develop strategies and business plans by consumer demo, brand, and property for core toys

• Accountable for management of all licensees within the product categories, which includes contract negotiation, business and product planning, and marketing alignment

• Manage day to day relationship with licensees

• Responsible for driving North American success and market share growth: drive regular communication and information flow, incorporate feedback for product development, marketing plans and contract negotiation

• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, competitors, business opportunities, threats and dynamics 

• Identify growth opportunities by category, franchise and distribution and select, pitch and execute new deals to fill gaps

• Negotiate financial deal points and other material terms on new deals and renewals with the support of the Director

• Set-up and lead licensee business reviews, as well as internal and external line reviews

Finance and Business Planning:

• Fiscal responsibility for assigned categories and business segments (setting annual AOP targets, obtaining and reviewing quarterly forecasts)

• Build and present category forecast and budget

• Responsible for category input within the 5 years strategic plan

• Finalize/negotiate licensee business plans

Product Line Planning:

• Collaborate with product development and cross functional teams to build licensee line plans; ensuring appropriate sku count and price points, maximizing the commercial opportunities

• Lead category and brand direction of creative roll-out for appropriate licensees

• With Sales teams input, partner with Product Development to define and plan retailer exclusives

• Partner Sales teams in assortment / planning / pitches where relevant

Brand and Marketing:

• In conjunction with the Brand teams:

  • Provide any licensee /product information in support of marketing and brand presentations and sales meetings

  • Help define and integrate licensees within wider brand and marketing plans

• Partner with Marketing to build and execute marketing and product launch plans with key partners

• Align key priorities to drive growth targets

Management:

• Perform general supervisory functions such as hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, development and operating expense control

• Responsible for growth and development of team culture and team’s wellbeing

• Build solid relationships with other Disney Consumer Products teams and business units to share and exchange best practices

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in the toy industry working in Hardlines licensing roles for major entertainment licensors or major global toy companies

• Excellent understanding of brand and property positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution, and the retail environment

• Data/insights driven individual with strong financial acumen and a well-developed understanding of market research, data analysis and data storytelling

• Firsthand experience with marketing/product development and developing/executing brand plans

• Comprehensive knowledge of licensees' production and creative capabilities/limitations

• Strong leader with exceptional communication, presentation, and influencing skills

• Flexible/adaptable, able to collaborate, influence and persuade at all levels of an organization

• Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment

• Open and effective communicator able to develop respect and build partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders

• Solution oriented team player with a curiosity for problem solving

• Comfortable working through a highly matrix structure to deliver business objectives

• Passion for the Walt Disney Company and its portfolio of world class brands

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree or 5-7 years of related experience

Preferred Education:

• Master’s Degree or 3-5 years of related experience

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at .

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