Microsoft is searching for Windows Category Lead.
Company is looking for the strong professional to lead the Windows Consumer Category for the Microsoft Consumer and Device Sales (CDS) organization across Russia / CIS (Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) and selected CEE markets (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine). This role drives the strategy, investment priorities and goals in partnership the CEE Category lead and local Sales and Channel marketing teams.
As a Windows category lead, you will be accountable for the all up PC consumer business, including PC activations and top-line revenue, market share, and marketing expenses. 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.
Responsibilities:
Planning and prioritization of initiatives:
- Influence retailer assortment leveraging research and telemetry to showcase end customer needs and increase Windows share
- Land strong modern device assortment by retail partner, across all price bands (entry, mainstream, and premium) and categories (ex: Gaming) in partnership with CDS 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
- Leverage new OEM partner product portfolios to create retailer exclusives that gain unit commitment and win share
- Partner with channel marketing peers to sell in and execute Windows in-store experience refresh across top retailer accounts.
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 OEM Partners to build joint-marketing plans and campaigns supporting key market segments and Sell-Thru
- 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
- Support channel marketing peers to land retail salesperson training and advocacy to ensure positive customer experience
Managing and monitoring key business metrics, meeting or exceeding targets:
- 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
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 and commercial customer touch points, coordinate partner segmentation and prioritization, and strategically influence assortment and volume builds, and execute against the product lifecycle. 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%) - Execute against scorecards and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, drive growth initiatives
- Leadership (15%) - Influence across boundaries that delivers expected results. Be an active member in the CEE & EMEA Windows Category Community
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
- Have 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
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing or related field, or related experience. MBA a plus
- 10+ years Consumer Electronics/IT ecosystem experience with a focus on devices and services sales across consumer segments
- Have a very deep understanding of the IT sector in CEE Markets with special focus on Russia, including the disti distribution. Idealy in combination with OEM experience
- Strong in negotiations and able to drive the Windows strategy & direction in the CEE - to partners & virtual teams
- Deep understanding of Consumer Sales channels + experience as sales person. As well as the retail, pure online and digital marketplace
- A character that exemplifies Microsoft values including integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, and mutual respect