Category Manager/Senior Category Manager, Fashion

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

General Summary:

Warner Bros. Discovery Consumer Products extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. It partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera.

The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, CP team is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

To be successful at CP team, you must have a willingness to model our values and behaviours, champion diversity and inclusion, leverage data and insights to maximize the legacy of our deep brands and franchises while maintaining a commitment to fostering best-in-class talent.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop Fashion category long term strategic licensing plans and medium- and long-term sales strategies.

• Identify growth opportunities and new business initiatives with the goal to drive incremental revenue. 

• Identify and apply competitive/industry key learnings and trends and apply to growing new business. 

• Provide critical input, research and analysis on strategic initiatives and high-level business decisions.

• Existing licensee evaluation, renewal deal term negotiation including recommends guarantees, and royalty rates based on specific property and current market assumptions, category analysis and day-to-day category management;

• Establish and cultivate potential licensees, prepare presentations, contract negotiation, and follows through to execution; Monitor licensees’ overall performances throughout contract term, including product sales, financial commitments, marketing efforts and distribution strategies. 

• Examine potential to cross-promote products between licensees to maximize sales opportunities.

• Attend assigned trade shows and visit licensees as necessary to develop licensee base for Fashion and other categories may related. 

• Manage and monitor revenue and expense budgets across Fashion category to ensure that financial objectives are achieved.

• Monitor and work with Franchise, Product Development and Creative to coordinate all aspects of licensees’ product development.

• Work closely with Global Category teams and partners in Theatrical Promotions, Home Entertainment, WBIE and DC Entertainment to ensure alignment on business strategy and client communication.

• Work closely with local agents by communicating category strategy, driving category growth, expanding fashion business in local markets, and regular best practice sharing for exploration of new ideas

• Support agents in local markets for key licensees’ joint business planning and key new business pitches

• Be able to work with creative to trend spot and direct our fashion licensees appropriately Special projects as needed.

JOB QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

Work Experience

• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in sales and marketing in entertainment licensing or related field.

• Knowledge of promotions, food, health and beauty industry.

Education, Professional Training, Technical Training or Certification

• Bachelor's degree is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office required (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Knowledge/Skills/Other Requirements

• Must have a successful track record in category management and proven ability in developing, analyzing and implementing business strategies and plans

• Must have excellent negotiating skills, flexibility and knowledge of consumer products and the licensing industry.

• Must have ability to organize and prioritize work, prepare and present written and oral sales presentations, and communicate with clients, licensees, and management to determine needs and solve problems.

• Knowledge of entertainment industry preferred

• Effective and proven interpersonal, written and presentation skills.

• Must be able to communicate effectively and tactfully with all levels of personnel, inside and outside the company.

• Possess proven and effective sales forecasting and budgeting skills, problem-solving skills, strategically analytic skills.

• Must be a team player.

• Must be able to travel as needed.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.