[Hiring] Director, Category Management @Zenni Optical

This description is a summary of our understanding of the job description. Click on 'Apply' button to find out more. Role Description We are seeking a Director, Category Management who will define and champion the strategic direction and long-term vision for assigned categories, including ownership of the product roadmap, new product introductions, and pricing strategy. The development of Zenni’s assortment strategy is grounded in sales and shopper data to effectively achieve inventory and financial objectives. This role is responsible for:

• Defining overarching assortment strategies
• Analyzing market trends and consumer insights
• Developing and executing go-to-market plans
• Driving innovation, including new product launches
• Ensuring alignment across key stakeholders to deliver core business objectives such as profitability, market share growth, and operational efficiency
• Managing the category team and serving as a key cross-functional leader across the organization

Responsibilities

• Category Strategy and Business Planning:
• In partnership with the VP of Frames Product, define and champion category strategy, including product roadmaps, new product introductions, and financial plans aligned to revenue and profit goals
• Drive category strategies that strengthen brand positioning and capture global market share through strong cross-functional collaboration
• Partner and collaborate with stakeholders, including procurement, brand, marketing, channel owners, and executive leadership to define strategies that meet customer needs and increase product performance
• Leverage the category strategy to collaborate with the FP&A team and create the annual product financial plan by category/style that aligns with the annual revenue plan
• Category Management:
• Lead the product creation and assortment planning, considering factors such as global market trends, consumer preferences, and historical sales data
• Create the seasonal NPI Roadmap and design briefs based on the product financial plan including global needs, carryover, new product introduction, and product exits
• Maximize sales and margin by setting volume and margin targets in the design briefs
• Establish key product initiatives and correlate investment plans to hit seasonal revenue and margin targets
• Create Product brief for Marketing Team, identifying hero and key product stories to drive product visibility and sales
• Review all product photography to ensure photos represent the product accurately to the consumer
• Outline the execution of category initiatives for the Website and Mobile App to optimize sales
• Partner with marketing and channel partners to develop sales driving actions including product placement, site merchandising, region-specific assortment and ranges, and promotional strategies to achieve targets
• Product Performance and Lifecycle Management:
• Define metrics to measure customer satisfaction and product performance, using these to analyze and make future decisions around the lifecycle of the product portfolio
• Manage effective product lifecycle planning and management that aligns to product performance expectations via the product financial plan, from product launch through end of life, avoiding SKU proliferation
• Manage the reporting, capture, and communication of product performance data and findings to inform business and commercial planning
• Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions when necessary
• Price Strategy and Management:
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to determine competitive pricing strategies by market for existing and new products optimizing sales and profitability while remaining competitive across the markets
• Set price and margin targets for new product introductions within the design brief
• Responsible for achievement of margin and revenue targets for assigned product categories
• Monitor global industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging market opportunities to inform strategic decisions
• Provide internal stakeholders with competitive insights, including pricing, promotional strategies, and marketplace trends
• Team Leadership & Cross Functional Relationships:
• Lead and develop the category management team with clear goals and accountability
• Demonstrate strong working relationships with E-commerce, FP&A, Procurement, Demand Planning, Site Merchandising, Brand, Commercial Ops, Product Marketing, Engagement Marketing, and all members of the Executive Leadership Team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, product management, merchandising, marketing, or related field (or 7+ years of combined education and experience)
• 7+ years of category or product management experience within a fashion or eyewear brand, with strong knowledge of ecommerce and international channels
• Advanced business, product, and financial acumen with the ability to translate data and consumer insights into actionable strategies
• High proficiency in G Suite and working knowledge of Microsoft and Adobe suites, Slack or something similar

Requirements

• 20-30% travel, including domestic travel to the Novato office (3-4 times per year) and international travel to Italy, France, and APAC region (3-4 times per year)

Benefits

• Annual Bonus Program
• Healthcare: 100% premiums covered for medical, dental, and vision for employees (50% for dependents)
• Basic Life and AD&D with option for additional voluntary coverage
• Short and long term disability coverage
• 401k with up to 4% match
• EAP and Spring Health that gives you and dependents access to free therapy and coaching
• Free access for you and your family to our digital wellness platform - Wellness Coach
• Generous PTO in addition to our Week of Zen - the time between Christmas and New Year’s to relax and recuperate
• Fully Paid Parental Leave - 16 weeks for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Family forming & fertility support and services through Maven
• Annual Zenni Gift Card - to use towards our products!

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