Ocean Category Manager; F​/M​/D

Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company founded in 1973. At a time when all life on earth is under threat of extinction, we aim to use the resources we have—our business, our investments, our voice and our imagination—to influence changes needed to protect our planet. A registered B Corporation and founding member of 1% for the Planet, Patagonia is recognised internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $145 million in grants and in-kind donations to thousands of grassroots environmental groups around the world.

Your role: We’re in business to save our home planet. This role will contribute by driving the business development of the Ocean category in EMEA, leading sales, and leveraging connections and influence with Marketing, Buying, Merchandising, and Planning teams, and global Ocean stakeholders. The overarching goal is to achieve a healthy and profitable business in the market, impact on the sports community, and technical product credibility.

Without direct reports or budget authority, the role relies on effective stakeholder management and cross-functional influence to ensure alignment and delivery of the Ocean business goals.

• Category vision: co-develop and implement multi-year vision and seasonal business plans in partnership with EMEA Marketplace and Buying teams and global Ocean stakeholders, to grow the Ocean category and set the multi-year roadmap in EMEA.
• Cross-functional coordination: build and activate relationships across Marketplace, Marketing, Merchandising, Buying, Planning, Quality, and Operations teams to educate on category needs, align on goals and tactics, consumer needs, commercial opportunities, and customer care.
• Business development and positioning: identify and drive incremental sales opportunities across channels and with agents and distributors, set and monitor sales targets, and support sell-in/sell-through performance. Develop category marketing objectives in partnership with EMEA Brand and regional Marketing teams and global Ocean stakeholders.
• Go-to-Market execution: guide seasonal GTM processes by partnering with Buying, Merchandising, Planning, Operations, and Dealer Service teams to deliver product presentations, manage stock levels, and inform marketing and sales tactics.
• Marketing & community activation: collaborate with Sports Communities Marketing role and global Ocean stakeholders to ensure integration of surf and ocean ambassadors in our marketing campaigns and grassroots initiatives, events, or activations, to strengthen our brand presence and credibility in surf communities. Be an external ambassador to these communities in EMEA and the voice for surf internally.
• Product & market insight: gather community and market intelligence, and product feedback to inform seasonal assortments, tactics, and influence global product development, ensuring technical credibility and alignment with surf communities and consumer's needs.

• An inclusive mindset
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in outdoor sports category management, with track record of developing category strategy, driving technical product credibility and revenue growth
• Deep understanding and authentic connection to surf culture and communities across EMEA, coming from regular, long-term engagement in surfing (not just lifestyle proximity) and shared experiences
• Deep understanding of EMEA surf industry ecosystem (distribution, seasonality, brands and products landscape etc.)
• Deep connection to Patagonia’s products, values, and purpose
• Advanced interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to lead cross-functionally and achieve results through stakeholder management in matrix organizations
• Advanced ability to gather consumer insights, analyze data, and use it to inform product assortment and distribution strategies
• Advanced business acumen, including understanding of seasonal GTM processes and commercial planning
• Demonstrated literacy and commitment to ocean protection and surf-related environmental issues
• Strong ability to build rapport and nurture relationships
• Strong understanding of marketing campaigns,…