Devices & Creativity Category lead for Japan

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In Consumer Sales Organization (CSO) we are a global team at Microsoft responsible for sales across Devices & Creativity (Windows, Microsoft 365, and Surface) and Gaming. CSO puts the consumer at the center, helping them discover, learn, and buy through direct and partner channels in over 120 countries around the world. Our team works with ecosystem partners and internal business groups to drive digital excellence and e-commerce capability, as well as accelerate cloud and subscription adoption. Together, we win by delivering compelling at-home and on-the-go experiences combining intelligent edge devices and services that create Microsoft fans for life.

In the Devices & Creativity Org, the priority is to help people make the most of their time within 4 focus areas: organize your life, protect what’s important, connect with others, and bring out your best. The focus is on the Modern Life products – M365 & Windows Consumer. The key priorities are to define and execute our consumer product and/solution go-to-market strategy; influence product roadmap, business models and strategy; and manage long term health of the business through actionable customer insights to and from partners.

We are looking for a Devices & Creativity Category lead for Japan. The Category Lead role leads the team of Category Managers that focus on their specific business (Windows and/or M365), and drives business by establishing strategic frameworks, enabling programs and execution across consumer channels optimized by geo, drive growth opportunities, and ensure CSO hits all KPIs and revenue target.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, or related field.

• OR equivalent experience.

• 3+ years people management experience.
• Language fluency both in Japanese and English. (English resume required)

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field

• OR 12+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND MBA/Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, or related field

• OR equivalent experience.

• 8+ years experience managing and expanding a category, attaining sales and profitability targets, and leading complex projects (e.g., large-scale or multi-year projects for multi-national or matrixed organizations) with internal stakeholders (e.g., sales management, finance)

• OR equivalent experience.

• 8+ years people management experience.

• 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 opportunities.

Plan

• Define & own implementation of product specific channel strategy and investments

• Design of product strategic programs, incentives, promotions, and upper funnel activities partnering with Business & Sales Operations (BSO) team and the product marketing teams

• Influence long range product and GTM planning

• Drive product/solutions consumer channel GTM partnering across internal stakeholders like CSO Finance, BSO, Channel Sales, BG GTM, OEM and Online Stores.

• Manage Launch Events – Leverage PR Moments we can showcase new products and tell our innovation story across the entire portfolio

• Manage Silicon & OEM engagement for joint ecosystem planning & execution

Execute

• Manage portfolio of investments, channels, motions to maximize short term results (rev, scorecard) and LTV.

• Establish and drive a consistent growth initiatives framework, defining and tracking a consistent set of KPIs and reporting rhythm.

• Pilot new GTM & Sales motions to future proof our business

• Create field/local enablement to execute the priorities [i] tools, process, stakeholder management and alignment across functions [ii] includes creation and localization of partner pitch deck/storytelling [iii] WW and regional seasonal guidance [iv] retail GTM readiness

• Direct To Consumer (not thru partner) product GTM e.g. PR, ATL, local owned & operated (ATL, BTL), partnerships and events in regions-

• Be the internal and external voice of the product/solution with 1st Party and 3rd Party partners in regions

• Leverage industry knowledge, channel insights, and customer understanding to drive strategic alignment, digital transformation, and land joint business objectives with partners

Manage & Monitor

• Drive ROB framework orchestration and deliverables thru performance and planning cycles. Partner closely with finance to ensure planning across revenue and investments is harmonized for budget and forecast cycles.

• Define and implement annual success metrics, strategic indicators and investment effectiveness across regional and corp teams.

• Accountable to product rev, P&L and compensable metric results including forecasting.

• Lead investment and fiscal control and optimization. Ecosystem investment alignment to core priorities

• Drive strategic and agile tactical communication process of business performance.

• Generate business and competitive insights thru data analysis & visualization, from product and partner perspectives. Own “product channel insight” (combining Voice of the customer – coming Channel Sales, RSP tool – coming from CSO, regional data – coming from SPC’s call) to enrich the product & GTM strategy. Short term impact: GTM tactics. Long term impact: internal: product roadmap, channel strategy. External: trusted advisor

• Influence long range planning

Leadership and People Development

• Develop and coach a diverse and high performing team while attracting and retaining key talent

• Exert influence across functional and geographic boundaries