Manager, Category Management (Toys & Hardlines)

Job description

Working closely with the Senior Manager, Toys & Hardlines North America, the Category Manager will drive growth across designated Toys & Hardlines categories, including Infant/Preschool, Construction, and select franchise programs. This role manages licensing partners, supports new business development, aligns product strategies with franchise priorities, and tracks financial performance to drive revenue growth. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Manage a portfolio of strategic and category-specific licensing partners, including day-to-day account management and business planning. Partner with licensees to develop consumer products programs that support brand objectives and revenue growth. Negotiate licensing agreements and amendments from proposal through execution in partnership with Legal and Finance. Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, partner prospects, category extensions, and product trends. Collaborate with Franchise, Category Management, and Product Development teams to align product line plans with brand strategy. Lead marketing approval workflows and submission processes for assigned categories, including Construction. Manage forecasts, budgets, and financial tracking for assigned licensing partners and categories. Partner with the North America Retail Sales team to maximize retail opportunities and strengthen consumer-level execution. Coordinate across Legal, Finance, Franchise, Retail, Product Development, and Marketing to ensure alignment and execution. Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet the evolving needs of the team and business. Ability to travel as required to support business and operational needs. Minimum 5+ years of experience in category management, brand management, licensing, consumer products, or a related field. Experience managing external partners and negotiating commercial agreements. Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities, driving category growth and innovation Knowledge of the product development lifecycle and retail merchandise planning Experience in brand building, selling brands, and an understanding of the licensing, retail, and product development landscape Familiarity with licensed consumer products and key licensing contract terms. Strong financial acumen, forecasting capability, and analytical skills. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. Strategic thinker who can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks concurrently, and remain adaptable to shifting priorities Skilled in Microsoft Office suite and Apple Keynote software Highly organized, adaptable, proactive, and solutions-oriented. This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time. This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $90,000 - $125,000 (bonus eligible) As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to . NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit for more information. Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world. About UDX FRANCHISE, PRODUCTS & PARTNERSHIPS: Universal Destination & Experiences’ Franchise, Products & Partnerships team (UDX FPP) extends NBCUniversal’s iconic brands, characters and stories through global consumer products and games, theme park merchandise and retail, in addition to the UDX enterprise function of franchise management and strategic partnerships. Supporting NBCUniversal’s owned portfolio of properties as well as third-party partners across the theme park business, UDX FPP creates products, experiences and partnerships that deepen fandom and connects audiences around the world with the characters, stories and worlds that define Universal.