Category Manager Lifestyle​/hardware

For a major international company, located near the train station of Leiden, we have a vacancy for a key position. as Category Manager. The Category Manager is responsible for their own categories and takes ownership of their strategy, development, and performance. You play a key role in driving category growth, innovation, and profitability while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure a 95%+ on-time delivery performance for product launches.
• Develop and execute category strategies that align with company objectives.
• Drive category growth through strategic product introductions and product lifecycle management.
• Lead trend spotting and brand identification to capitalize on market opportunities and create win-win partnerships.
• Optimize category performance by analyzing key metrics such as sales, margins, and pricing.
• Cooperate with/be in continuous contact with a large number of stakeholders to maintain everything on the right track.
• Oversee competitive research with detailed analysis of at least 3-5 competitors and physical samples of top 10 competing items.
• Provide insights into competitive landscapes, ensuring market-relevant positioning.
• Manage a broad portfolio of products that continues to appeal to our customers within a short period of time.
• Assist in creating and implementing a clear 3-year category strategy plan.
• Management of category assistant(s)
• Full ownership of the decoration / printing (AR, Drive to digital)
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with marketing, supply chain, operations, and finance to deliver category plans
• Align with sales to understand the customers needs and expectations

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in category management, product development, purchasing, or a related field.
• Passionate about the required product(categories)
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent listening, communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in online and offline marketing strategies.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Proficiency in competitive analysis and market research.
• Excellent understanding of English in word and writing;
  Dutch is an advantage.
• Open to occasional domestic and international business trips.
• Customer supportive, stress resistance, and a team player.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and listening skills.
• Strong relationship management skills

Our offer to you!

Besides a pleasant working atmosphere, a place to grow your talents, a flat organization with an open culture, where one’s own input and initiative is rewarded, we offer you:

• Good salary that matches with the knowledge and experience you bring;
• Annual bonus to celebrate our success, when we achieved our results;
• Laptop and the option to work partially from home fully equipped and with extra budget for a good working place;
• 25 (or more) holidays, a premium-free pension, money to celebrate your birthday, travel allowance for every kilometer you travel and more;
• Extensive learning and (personal) development possibilities, including a wide range of online courses via Goodhabitz;
• Allowances to keep you fit and healthy, free fruit and every day different lunch options available at rock bottom prices;
• A dynamic and inspiring world of product media products and gifts which you can buy in our own shop