Responsibilities

You will drive business performance & go-to-market programs by prioritizing and aligning initiatives across the partner eco-system, allocating resources, and executing strategic plans to drive growth & business transformation.

 Lead the Category Team

• Through personal leadership ensure the ongoing health and motivation in the team. Ensure coaching of the team and build strong slate planning together with the  EMEA Surface Category Leadership Team. Be an active member of the EMEA Windows Category Leadership team, the CCSM Leadership team & The EMEA Windows community.

Planning and prioritization of initiatives

• Ensure readiness across segment and partner teams.  Develop and share clear insights into growth drivers and blockers, competitive situation and a focus on the Voice of the Customer to feedback into Corp.
• Land strong modern device assortment by retail partner, across all price bands in partnership with Device Sales leads and local device partners
• Partner with local silicon partners (Intel, AMD) to build co-marketing and co-sell through plans with OEM partners
• Review and invest in select partner led demand gen campaigns with top retail partners, driving thru the line co-marketing

Operationalizing programs and initiatives

• Execute category sales plans that maximize key market level seasonal selling beats (Back to School, Holiday, Spring) along with retailer specific selling beats
• Build and execute consumer promotional plans to drive volume, modern PC adoption, or win share
• Partner with retailers and channel marketing teams to drive always on in store and online marketing through full-funnel approach that drives growth and optimizes channel footprint
• Partner with local PR leads and CMO (Consumer Marketing Organization) partners to plan and execute campaigns that drive excitement and awareness leveraging Microsoft owned and operated channels

Managing and monitoring rhythm of business (ROB)

• Manage & Monitor the business identifying upside and managing risk or gaps. Deliver on the ROB driving the planning and performance cycles.
• Manage retail marketing investment funds with high level of forecast accuracy, ensuring budget is fully planned and utilized each quarter
• Disseminate regional targets and investments to specific retail and OEM partners in order to meet or exceed goals
• Monitor Windows market share position, building plans to grow share versus key competitors

Qualifications

 Key Competencies:

• Analysis and Insight (10%)- Use internal and external data/research to assess industry/market trends, incorporate new concepts in to marketing strategies,  position Microsoft products in the competitive ecosystem and understand the relevance of Microsoft products in partner portfolios.
• Marketing Principles (25%)- Develop integrated marketing plans and strategic market objectives by channel partner, drive marketing execution, and measure execution and return on investment (ROI).
• Strategic Business Planning (10%)- Create strategic business objectives and category plans across all consumer touch points, coordinate partner segmentation and prioritization, and strategically influence assortment and volume builds. Build strong planning guidelines and programs for field teams to leverage that align to our Category Management strategy and vision with our key accounts (Market Makers) across the region.
• Consultative Leadership (20%)- Influence partners with category subject matter expertise to support the sales motion across the channels.  Impact and influence the product business groups and drive cross group collaboration.
• Business Operational Excellence (20%)- Drive and execute against our ROB, scorecards and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, drive our Growth agenda across the Sub region
• Leadership (15%)- Lead the Category Team, Influence across boundaries that delivers expected results. Be an active member in the EMEA Category Leadership team and the CDS Leadership team.

Skills:

• Entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking to identifying and executing business opportunities
• Ability to analyze sales data, draw relevant conclusions, develop accurate business plans and forecasts, and drive execution
• Understanding of budget, profit & loss, margin, investment, and operating expense accountability
• Ability to influence multiple stakeholder groups and connect with diverse audiences
• Thought leader, risk taker, and lifelong learner; Digital and social influencer in the market
• Experience planning and executing marketing strategies and activities that drive business results while remaining true to the brand.
• Have experience translating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into actionable plans to accelerate or capitalize on growth opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing or related field, or related experience. MBA a plus.
• Extensive Consumer Electronics/IT ecosystem experience with a focus on devices and services sales across consumer segments
• Understanding of consumer sales channels, as well as the retail landscape and digital marketplace
• A character that exemplifies Microsoft values including integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, and mutual respect