Category Manager, Technology

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com. And check out Twitter (twitter.com/pokemon), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/Pokémon), Youtube (youtube.com/pokemon), and Instagram (instagram.com/pokemon).

Get to know the role

• Job Title: Category Manager, Technology

• Job Summary: The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing the category management strategy and processes for the technology category, and other categories as necessary, to ensure that category(s) consistently meet business needs. Activities include developing and implementing the category strategy for respective categories, analyzing the demand/supply plan, developing sourcing strategy and facilitating the sourcing process.

• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt

• People Manager: No

What you’ll do

• CATEGORY MANAGEMENT – Develop category strategies for respective group of categories in alignment with overall Category Management objectives, including:

  • Develop the formal category requirements aligned to business priorities and Category Management objectives

  • Develop category strategies based on analysis of spend data, supply market dynamics, category intelligence, and business requirements

  • Evaluate and analyze annual spend data, external market data and other necessary information to support the Procurement Leader in enhancing, updating, and validating category-specific strategies

  • Collaborate with business stakeholders to develop build influence, evaluate, and change the status quo. Identify and obtain buy-in for category strategy and value opportunities

  • Actively drives value beyond cost -i.e., risk mitigation, operational efficiencies, innovation, etc.

• STRATEGIC SOURCING – Coordinate and implement strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned categories, including:

  • Execute strategic sourcing projects using best practice sourcing methodology to deliver exceptional total value in partnership with key stakeholders across the business

  • Executes strategic sourcing initiatives following the 7-step sourcing methodology

  • Assess supplier capabilities and identify new suppliers

  • Prepare and present business cases and should-cost models; performs complex data analysis and build financial models (i.e., ROI, NPV, supplier scorecards, savings tracking, make vs. buy decision models)

  • Analyze and summarize RFP responses and results and prepare recommendations for Senior Management

  • Ensures savings are delivered in a timely manner and that TPCi realizes expected benefits

  • Oversee and negotiate business terms within Master and other agreements for respective categories within TPCi Legal’ s established risk framework

    • Coordinate drafting and negotiating Terms and Conditions with Legal

    • Identify and escalate legal risk to Legal department

• SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT – Manage supplier performance within the supplier relationship management framework and category strategy

  • Establishes and manages the governance processes with suppliers and outsourced partners for categories in scope

  • Implements strategies to best manage the supplier base for categories in scope, reviewing suppliers against contracted obligations/service levels and business expectations

  • Provide feedback on performance, seek continuous improvement and innovation

  • Execute supplier performance measurement framework and develop stakeholder guidelines in conjunction with Category Management strategic objectives, leveraging Performance Management information as appropriate

  • Identify and manage supplier risks and risk response plans

  • Schedule, manage, and facilitate supplier relationship management meetings / reviews

  • Develops implementation and transition plans acting as a change agent

  • Implements and drives procurement strateg