Product and Category Manager North Europe (Transitions, Eyezen & Blue Light)

WHO WE ARE

We are EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. The Company brings together the complementary expertise of two industry pioneers, one in advanced lens technologies and the other in the craftsmanship of iconic eyewear, to create a vertically integrated business that is uniquely positioned to address the world’s evolving vision needs and the global demand of a growing eyewear industry.

With over 180,000 dedicated employees in 150 countries driving our iconic brands, our people are creative, entrepreneurial and celebrated for their unique perspectives and individuality. Committed to vision, we enable people to “see more and be more” thanks to our innovative designs and lens technologies, exceptional quality and cutting-edge processing methods. Every day we impact the lives of millions by changing the way people see the world.

JOB SCOPE AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Product and Category manager you will be in charge of leading and developing the overall strategy of specific product categories to achieve sales targets.

The successful candidate will manage and take ownership of the following Group categories to increase sales, profitability and achieve sustainable growth:

• Transitions
• Eyezen
• Blue light
• Other photochromic, SV and blue light products

This role is a Multi-network with a North Europe scope (UK, Ireland, Nordics and Benelux)

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES:

• Innovation
  • Manage the launch of new products, including:
    • Forecasts and business case
    • Product set up with the NPI team
    • Full 360° marketing plan working with the Trade Marketing and Digital teams
    • Training in collaboration with the MSL teams (internal, external and CPD)
    • Customer presentations
    • Production of marketing collaterals (brochure, POS, price list, etc…)
    • Design and distribution of sales aids
    • Post launch performance monitoring and KPIs reporting
  • Attend regular meetings with the EMEA teams

• Category management
  • Plan and implement growth development strategies for the product categories you are in charge of.
  • Work with the Digital team on the media plan and digital initiatives to drive brand awareness
  • Coordinate plans with the Trade teams to develop promotional initiatives, marketing collaterals and ensure brand store visibility
  • Optimise product portfolio: simplify the offer when necessary, develop recommendation and action plan to sustain blockbusters, develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products
  • Support category growth in all channels
  • Share and present best practices
  • Work closely with the Brand Promoter team in the UKI to implement growth initiatives

• Training
  • Train and support sales team to develop the product category
  • Work with the Leonardo team to deploy training

• Insights
  • Provide category insights and proposals by analysing marketing and customer data and monitoring relevant market dynamics
  • Collaborate with the sales team and with customers from all channels and all countries, to gain an understanding of the market dynamics and to identify market needs and future solutions

• Pricing
  • Recommend pricing for the category
  • Implement pricing strategy

• Budget
  • Manage and track budget

TECHNICAL SKILLS 

Essential:

• Graduate with Professional Marketing qualification, degree level or equivalent
• 9 + years  of proven experience in category management or a brand manager role
• Excellent PC skills and administration skills
• Very analytical with strong problem solving skills
• Excellent communications and presentation skills
• Very organised and great attention to details
• Self-starter and able to take decisions
• Flexible
• This position will entail some travel within the North Europe cluster.

Desirable:

• Preferably experience in the optical industry

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• Category management
• Market Research Techniques
• Consumer and ECP understanding
• Segmentation
• Positioning and Strategic Benefits
• Concept Writing and Creative Brief
• Product Knowledge
• Pricing
• Marketing Touch Points
• Offer Launch Management

LANGUAGES:

Fluent written and spoken English

Other languages desirable

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