Sr Manager Category Licensing

The Consumer Products division of Hasbro European Services provides services for the licensing business of Hasbro International Inc. (HII). We are currently recruiting for this position, based in Capper Street, London, UK.

Main Duties:

The Consumer Products (CP) division of Hasbro European Services provides services for the licensing business of Hasbro International Inc. (HII).  The key responsibility of this role is to accelerate the growth of Hasbro franchise brands in the Fashion and Home category, increasing brand presence and retail sales and delivery of an agreed financial target for the UK Market.  

The role will concentrate on delivering business growth and franchise presence within the UK & Ireland but also potentially supporting other key Eurasia Fashion and Home opportunities. The role will be responsible for leading and executing the strategic direction within category.  It will develop best in class relationships with licensed partners creating compelling business strategies, creative excellence and year-round customer brand plans that support profitable franchise and category growth.  

This candidate will be a strong role model that supports development of others and is an ambassador for driving a consistent one Hasbro voice approach both internally and externally.

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Develop and deliver the LCP Fashion and Home strategy inline with the UK Licensed strategy.
• Develop and lead long term profitable partnerships with licensees and retailers to ensure Hasbro is positioned as the market licensor of choice
• Identify and partner with retailers and licensees whose competencies; manufacturing, design and creative capabilities, distribution strengths and marketing, sales and retail capabilities support Hasbro’s ambitious growth plans.
• Manage licensees and retailers for assigned categories including deal negotiation, relationship building, distribution strategies, reviewing/approving product concept.
• DTR management of specific EMEA retailers, to be defined.
• Identify and deliver best in class Halo collaborations that position the franchise brands as premium and deliver a strong role out plan to capitalise  within the mass market
• Regular Gap analysis to identify and convert new revenue streams and brand building categories.
• Develop and execute "go-to-market" strategies using market knowledge (e.g., industry, competitive set, shopper and consumer insights) and account plans to maximize short and long-term growth.
• Conduct regular top to top meetings with key retailers and licensees for comprehensive business reviews and to ensure that all business opportunities are being discussed and explored.
• Consistently seek information on licensees to ensure that Hasbro’s portfolio of partners is ‘best in class’.
• Ensure regular communication of plans to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead annual budget planning and quarterly forecasting process.
• Achieve all financial budgets.
• Effectively manage all costs.
• Effectively and consistently manage all cash collection.
• Lead quarterly financial reviews with all key licensees to ensure targets are met.
• Work with Retail development team side by side to develop and lead strong relationships with key buyers and merchandise managers across all channels of distribution
• Fully understand retail buying calendars, decision-making timeframes and decision influencers to effectively position Hasbro’s properties relative to the competitive set.
• Identify merchant’s strategies/initiatives and seek opportunities for Hasbro brands. 
• Consistently and effectively communicate brand strategies to buyers and marketeers to gain support for our properties.
• Ensure that our existing partners continue to have the resources and retail influence to achieve or maintain placement of our properties.
• Co-lead One Hasbro retail initiatives with regional and in-markets Toy & Game teams to fully ignite the Hasbro Brand Blueprint.
• Understand and effectively communicate to management and business contributors the drivers of each category, (planogram space, buying patterns, competitive set); performance of existing competitive properties and future property launches.
• Develop intimate knowledge of competitive properties at retail.  Develop an understanding of key buyer support; competitive property performance, and marketing/promotional initiatives that may impact Hasbro’s ability to get properties placed and/or generate high-performing POS.
• Keep current with industry trends and developments through networking, attending trade shows and industry functions.
• 3 Direct Reports
• As a senior member of the team, support and coach other through role modelling behaviour and coaching support.

Essential Skills: 

• Significant experience in a relevant Entertainment company or consumer product/Licensing Environment
• You will be a confident and motivated self starter with a passion for brand, creative execution and delivery of budget.
• Action orientated, self-motivated sales professional with demonstrable business acumen.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders.
• People management experience with the capacity to actively lead, develop, inform and inspire.
• Evidence of clear leadership qualities; decisive decision-making abilities, calculated risk taking.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Clear, persuasive, verbal and written communication skills including active listening abilities.
• Excellent sales and persuasive negotiation skills.
• Superb presentation and storytelling skills.
• Ability to challenge and bring new ideas and thinking to the business.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to adjust priorities and operate in a past paced and fluid environment.
• Strong integrity and business ethics.
• Creativity, enthusiasm and passion.

Due to high volume of applications we will only contact those short listed for role. 

Our Values

• Be legendary: practice excellence, improve on our legacy, create awesomeness.
• Build a well-rounded crew: inclusivity and diversity in both our teams and games.
• Delve into dungeons: embrace challenges with openness and creativity.
• Don’t split the party: agree or disagree but commit. Collaborate and have respect for each other.
• It takes a multiverse: we are driven by the lifelong satisfaction of our fans.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.