Xbox Platform Regional Category Manager Full Time

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Business Steward

• Manages business operations within a category, serving as a subject matter expert on one or more lines of business (e.g., product/service knowledge; historical context; category trends; where a product/service sits within category strategy), and may provide expertise on the broader category and industry. Manages category priorities and strategies in line with the One Microsoft approach within region. Serves as a primary orchestrator with external partners to drive consistent messaging and partner enablement. Manages across different lines of business and/or different sales organizations to enable impact and support execution of intelligent edge strategy. Fosters structure for generating and sharing insights with business groups for business planning. Reports data-driven insights from partners (e.g., voice of the customer [VOC] data) to the Category Management Lead, or directly to the Worldwide Category team, to support product strategy and maximize revenue. In-region, may act as the face of public relations and Product Marketing expert for the category.
• Manages top-line and bottom-line profit and loss for one or more lines of business. Manages budget and the reporting of budget, investments, allocation, and funds to key stakeholders and finance teams, and oversees supply forecast and inventory management as required. Leverages return on investment (ROI) analyses to support investment recommendations. Guides, coaches, and creates guidelines to ensure financial compliance.

Business Operations

• Leverages local market trends to determine go-to-market (GTM) strategy and key performance indicators (KPIs) to deliver upon the priorities and initiatives cascaded from Worldwide Category. In partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance, Sales Excellence), defines product-specific channel strategy and execution plans. Partners with legal and finance to develop incentive programs as needed. Facilitates internal alignment through consistent engagement rhythm and driving the appropriate level of conversation and decision making. Leads and orchestrates end-to-end rhythm of the business (ROB) cadence for the product(s) or service area(s), including leading regular partner review meetings, and leading review meetings with senior leadership to summarize feedback on business and campaign performance. Leverages feedback (e.g., voice of the customer [VOC] insights) to adjust plans, land strategy, and maximize local performance. Collaborates across functions, partners, and teams to drive execution. At the operational level, serves as an active participant in sales motions to support and articulate product/service vision in conversation with partners.
• Lands and supports execution of category plans and investments with internal and external partners. Defines leading indicators for successful execution (e.g., launch, promotion), ensuring tracking mechanisms are in place. Leverages financial performance data and models to assess alignment with expected outcomes and recommend adjustments as needed. Makes recommendations for adjustments of programs and investments and supports alignment of execution plans as needed using guidance from corporate and performance data. As appropriate, works through extended teams in-country (e.g., Product Marketing Managers) to execute strategy and understand local performance. Engages directly with the Worldwide Category team to develop and disseminate global best practices, and to drive program and promotion execution (e.g., approvals).
• Works collaboratively with internal partners to understand goals and metrics, and develop and track the appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) and scorecard metrics to understand performance. Actively recommends KPIs to improve category insights and progress tracking. Analyzes KPIs and success metrics for a product or service area. Aligns and monitors investment impact and growth opportunities across partners. Identifies key insights from data and develops robust plans to test hypotheses and learn from results. Drives insights and formulates strategies based on data findings, leveraging the voice of the customer (VOC)/partner to drive business and/or product strategy. Collaborates across teams to better understand where findings can be applied and implemented. Identifies opportunities to perform additional in-depth analyses on specific business questions.

Growth Opportunity Development

• Supports category leadership by contributing to the definition (e.g., Total Available Market [TAM], audience, product) and implementation (e.g. target setting, investments) of solutions that provide added value to both Microsoft and partners. Contributes to rhythm of business (ROB) processes (e.g., Finance, Sales, Product Marketing, Partner, Field) as required to drive insight generation and business planning. Presents developed business cases to identify and execute on new and/or existing business opportunities to drive strategic impact for Microsoft. Leverages performance data (e.g., first-party, third-party, market trends) and voice of the customer (VOC) information to create and integrate new strategies. Contributes to the partner planning process by coordinating with key stakeholders (e.g., partner account managers) to drive agendas and support partner execution goals.

Other

• Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 6+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Engineering, or related field.
  • OR equivalent experience
• Be a skillful leader, able to directly deliver and deliver thru influence of others – both internally at Microsoft and externally thru retail partners.
• Be a confident leader, representing your business in front of partners and stakeholders at all levels inside and outside Microsoft.
• A successful track record in managing and transforming a consumer category, while meeting sales and profitability targets.
• Sharp analytical skills and acumen and can use to review and manage budgets, market data, and deal opportunities.
• Experience planning and executing assortment plans, marketing strategies, and activities that drive business results.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, passionate about building businesses, and thrives within a fast-paced environment.
• A character that exemplifies Microsoft values including integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, and mutual respect.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.