Category Director

Job Description

Position Purpose
The Category Director is responsible for the strategy and performance of the Make Up Category for both B&M and E-Commerce. He/She will be driving the sales and growth of the category by implementing successful merchandizing, activation and launch strategies. 

Key Accountabilities
 
Category Management
 ·      Creating and developing long term plan and strategy for development of the Make Up Category
·      Monitoring market trends and optimize portfolio accordingly
·      Monitor stock availability vs plan and ensure that it is in line with the forecast
·      Define category objectives, priorities and yearly budget
·      Leading the category to optimize the product offer and related merchandizing.
·      Assortment management at brand level
·      Review of Brand Planograms to ensure optimal assortments which deliver highest return of sales & profitability
·      Develop and implement make up calendar and ensure its proper implementation along with the new product launches, new stores and brand expansions.
·      Ensure planning and proper execution of existing, new and exclusive ranges across all SME
·      Establish strong relationships and nurture partnerships with brands to ensure excellent implementation of brand guidelines in line with Sephora Retail Strategy
·      Negotiate with brands and implement legal agreements with existing and new in close collaboration with legal counsel
·      Work with brand partners to ensure strong performance via annual launch plan review, marketing support, animation planning, margin and commercial terms improvement
·      Lead negotiation for maximum support from brands for Omnichannel activations (GWPs, samples, CRM rewrds
·      Overview registration process for color category launches and ensure timely coordination between the two departments
·      Develop further and grow the lash destination online and in B&M
·      Initiate and establish yearly launch calendar for Sephora Favorites for MUP Category and cross category

Omnichannel & Marketing
 ·      Drive Share of Voice in color by partnering up with brands fueling differentiation
·      Agree with brands on yearly co branding budget and establish yearly calendar in alignment with Marketing Department.
·      Build a strong offer for KCPs and Trend Animations and oversee the 360 implementation
·      Define brand and product relevant CRM activation calendar and secure participation from brands.
·      Establish yearly PR Strategy for color in close collaboration with brands and PR team
·      Define Trade Activation Calendar for Ecom platforms (in alignment with Brand strategy, and secure support for all Ecommerce activations)
 
Training
 ·      Coordinate and align on training calendar with Training Department for Make Up category.
·      Plan the Make Up conventions in line with category strategy, and secure brand participation
·      Conduct regular reviews with training department to review training plans and define priorities.
 
Communication & Reporting
 ·      Performance tracking on achievements vs budgets for category and by brand
·      Develop KPI reports to keep management up to date on the category development
·      Develop strong working relationship with all other cross functional departments
 
People Management
 ·      Manage and build the category team effectively.
·      Ensure that they are appropriately motivated and trained and are working towards the achievement of the company and category corporate objectives.
·      Develop and elevate the team through coaching, mentoring and performance management in order to be able to sustain the pace of the make up category