Category Lead – Office EMEA Job (Microsoft)Career opportunity in UK

Job title:Category Lead – Office EMEA Job (Reading, GB) – Microsoft
Job Category: Marketing
Job ID: 849637-121816
Division: Marketing
Location : Reading, Berkshire
Deadline : 17th September 2013
Team/Department Mission:
The consumer channel is vital to Microsoft’s growth not only for the direct revenue it generates, but also due to the retail channel’s unique ability to help build brand equity and engagement due to its outreach to consumer and small business customers worldwide. Microsoft has developed tremendous relationships with retailers and distributors worldwide making our retail success possible.


Role Purpose:
The role of EMEA TimeZone Category Lead Office reports in to the EMEA VP and is responsible for the coordination of all category programs, strong leadership and engagement of key stakeholders and development of activities in the region to further drive this success.

Key Accountabilities:
Office Business Management
Manage and monitor the core business metrics for the EMEA region – Revenue, Units, Attach Rates and Subscription Mix
Identify, assess and intervene where areas of the business are under-performing against these key metrics and support the development of CoE plans.
Support the regions to help define regional budgets and ensure forecasts are accurate
Engage with all major stakeholders across the region to ensure there is strong focus and clear strategic understanding for Office
Support the EMEA VP by generating performance reports and keeping him/her informed on key challenges and opportunities in the region.

Regional engagement
Quickly support and help develop Sub team skills in understanding, managing and driving their Office business
Act as a central knowledge base for the region across all aspects of the Office business
Ensure regional readiness for product launches or changes to the portfolio
Support key business rhythms and processes such as IPR, MBU, QBR, MYR. Reach out to each subsidiary to ensure outputs of these processes are fit for purpose, of a high quality and meeting EMEA VP and Corp requirements.
Travel to key subsidiaries where appropriate to support the business
Manage Quarterly/Semesterly Category Planning Sessions where all regions can gather to share best practise, build seasonal plans and engage with Corp BG and CatMan functions.

Category Management
Co-development of Category plans with subsidiaries
Share best practise between the regions to up-skill lower performing markets
Where appropriate land tests & trials of new and innovative activity – utilise EMEA contingency funding to support regional execution of these trials
Work closely with Channel Marketing functions to ensure materials and approach are aligned to Category Strategy
Work with cross-LOB functions in EMEA to ensure Office strategy is aligned and complementary to other LOB such as Windows and Hardware

Corp BG partnership & support
Ensure the EMEA region is represented at Corp BG
Partner with the Office BG in developing or revising programs, ensuring they are fit for purpose for the EMEA region
Act as a trusted advisor to Corp functions in assessing regional requests for funding, program exceptions or bespoke activity

EOC partnership & support
Own the rebate programs and work with EOC to ensure all Ops functions have a good understanding of Office programs, processes and field requirements.
Work collaboratively with EOC to train the field on rebate processes
Provide authorisation to EOC for any partner payment or program exceptions, liaising with the field for rationale
Work with Supply Chain to support and manage inventory and exceptional regional situations e.g. End of Life, Price Increases, Build to Order, etc

Digital Distribution & New Routes to Market
Be the LOB owner for Office Digital Strategy in the region
Work with the EMEA and Corp Digital Distribution teams to ensure strategy and execution is fit for purpose
Engage with pan-EMEA POSA and ESD distributors to educate on Office strategy, executional guidance and approval of business models

Global Account Development
Work with the major Global Accounts for the Office business in driving performance in the region e.g. Dixons, MSH, FNAC and Carrefour
Utilise the Office Global Account funds to choose where to invest in strategic activities
Engage the global functions of these partners to build strong relationships and partnerships
Have direct Account Management responsibility for the Apple EMEA relationship

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
1) Essential Experience
The successful candidate will be a strong leader with an understanding of relevant marketing experience in the retail channel or technology fields. This role requires an individual with a broad skill set encompassing excellent marketing & relationship management capabilities, with proven ability to collaborate well with cross functional groups and virtual teams to achieve specific objectives.

This role requires a marketer with strong business acumen to drive the revenue and unit targets and to be able to stay focused even when dealing with ambiguity. Equally important, this role requires a self starter who has well developed competencies in developing retail strategies that drive customers to the Office category. .

2) Technical/Functional Skills
Strong understanding of overall marketing mix and relevant ROI metrics that demonstrate success. A passion for PC & Productivity and/or for technology.

3) Qualifications
Degree qualified with specialist marketing qualifications a benefit
Personal Attributes / Interpersonal Skills
1) Personal Attributes/Interpersonal Skills
Strong virtual team leadership who has the ability to deal with ambiguity and rally different groups around a single purpose to drive business results

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