Category Lead Hardlines - Italy

The Opportunity: 

In this role you will manage the daytoday licensing business relationships in the Italy market covering all Hardlines partners delivering all aspects of partner management. You will identify pitch and negotiate new business opportunities and day to day liaison with internal & external stakeholders. You will lead Italy Hardlines strategy and build relationships and programs with leading retailers.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

LICENSEE MANAGEMENT:

• Manage all existing licensing deals including master toy and licensee relationships
• Deliver Hardlines country strategy supporting the Lead
• Own the retail strategy for HL and drive these relationships with Licensing programs. Work with Mattel retail team to deliver best in class programs.
• Deliver detailed joint business plans per partner that includes forecast budget stretch targets retail & marketing calendars and relevant product line plans 
• Pitch and market presentations across Mattels IP portfolio of brands
• Conduct biweekly 11 meetings arrange quarterly business reviews biannual top to tops and track financial goals through forecasting and ambitious sales targets
• Deliver and ensure detailed joint marketing plan per partner that includes licensee investment that is aligned with Mattel Consumer Product goals; ensure marketing support for top items.
• Be the internal point person for each licensee to ensure local markets are driving the strategy and goals for partners

NEW BUSINESS:

• Research identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Secure new licensing deals and negotiate renewals
• Attend Trade Fairs or category specific shows

STRATEGY:

• Support Country Lead on key strategy for the market
• Analyze the market with SWOT Gaps opportunities category priorities
• Research identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Keep current with changing trends & competition
• Work closely with the Product Development Creative and Quality & Assurance teams on getting first class product to market
• Work closely with Retail Development Digital PR Regional Franchise and Local Brand teams to develop joint business plans.
• Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal & external stakeholders
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region
• Help find innovative ways to grow the business
• Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattels IP portfolio of brands

Qualifications :

What Were Looking For:

Experience

• Previous demonstrable experience working in a licensing marketing or sales position
• Understanding of the Licensing environment and exposure to Licensing
• Hardlines knowledge; experience of working with toy or product based
• Experience building a joint business plan
• Exposure to managing a financial plan and forecasting

Skills & Education:

• Degree in Business Marketing or a relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning embracing challenges and improving themselves.
• Proven sales negotiation experience and commercial thinking mindset
• Solutions oriented with ability to think outside the box to deliver additional revenue and opportunities
• Ability to influence others; persuasive and able to present messaging impactfully
• Commercial acumen with the competence to build and present a strategy
• Strong relationship builder and able to navigate internal and external relationships and stakeholders with ease
• Fluent Italian and English is required to perform this role
• Strong communication skills oral and written; able to deliver a narrative

#LIAW1

Additional Information :

Dont meet every single requirement At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performancedriven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing bestinclass outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands including Barbie Hot Wheels FisherPrice American Girl Thomas & Friends UNO Masters of the Universe Matchbox Monster High MEGA and Polly Pocket as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys content consumer products digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the worlds leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work and as one of Fast Companys Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at  is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities females veterans military spouses individuals with disabilities and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

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