Sr. Category & Product Manager - US

At Kids2, we're really good at what we do. And when we're great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs.

Parenting is demanding, and that's where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early stage parents - not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles.

No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That's a big task!

We're serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins.

At Kids2, we're really good at what we do. And when we're great at our jobs, we help parents be great at their jobs.

Parenting is demanding, and that's where we come in. We want to reimagine how brands can make it easier for early-stage parents - not by just selling them products, but by providing holistic solutions that transcend borders, categories and aisles.

No matter our title or department, at Kids2, our job is to create more tiny wins for parents, so they can create bright futures for their little ones. That's a big task!

We're serious about what we do, AND we love to have fun. Our team is hardworking, entrepreneurial, and passionate about helping families create millions, if not billions of tiny wins.

SUMMARY

As the business owner of a defined category, the Sr. Manager - Category & Product sets the long-term product vision, leads cross-functional teams, and drives results. They use insights to shape the product line, craft compelling sell-in materials that win retailer support, and ensure every product delivers clear consumer value. In this role, you operate as the GM of your categories - owning revenue, margin, and SKU productivity while shaping how Kids2 competes and shows up in the market. Additionally, the Sr. Manager role will ensure continuity of features/value across multiple categories as needed.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Leadership & Culture Stewardship: Sets the standard for how work gets done by modeling Kids2 fundamentals and fostering high-performing teams.

• Leadership: Fosters a culture of continuous improvement by coaching and training CPMs as needed along with other Senior Category & Development Managers
• Role-modeling Kids2 fundamentals: Demonstrates core behaviors in action by setting the tone, modeling expectations, and reinforcing consistent ways of working.
• Talent development and onboarding: Actively supports onboarding, training, and development of new hires to build strong category, business, and strategic acumen.

Category Strategy, P&L Ownership & Portfolio Management: Owns the financial performance & strategic direction of their categories. Leverages category expertise and insights to drive long-term product vision, profitable growth, and consumer relevance globally.

• Define the Category Vision and maintain a 3 Year Product Roadmap setting strategic direction while prioritizing product introductions.
• Leverage consumer insights, analyze category data, and monitor the competitive landscape to identify whitespace opportunities for your category, delivering innovation while capturing share
• Lead portfolio reviews to optimize SKU productivity and portfolio rationalization decisions.
• Act as the P&L owner for your team's businesses - establishing forecasts, cost targets, and margin goal for new items while managing portfolio health of total category
• Bring a global mindset to ensure product market fits across regions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration: Brings strategy to life by influencing, aligning, and leading core teams toward a shared outcome.

• Turn strategy into inspiring, actionable briefs that align design, engineering, packaging & digital marketing teams around what to design, why it matters, and how it wins in market.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams - drive clarity around decisions, changes, and shifting priorities.
• Foster collaboration, trust, and accountability by building strong working relationships across all functions.
• Maintain launch schedules & guide teams toward aligned decisions by navigating obstacles, balancing perspectives, and maintaining forward momentum.
• Create clarity and momentum by focusing energy on what moves the business forward with the largest impact.

Commercialization & Go-to-Market Excellence: Ensures item success across the product lifecycle- from sell-in strategy to sell-through performance and portfolio optimization.

• Develop compelling sell-in materials and line plans that influence retailer decisions and secure product placement.
• Serve as the category expert in key retailer meetings, trade shows, and strategic presentations.
• Partner with Sales, Operations, and Demand Planning to ensure launch of readiness, sell-through, and inventory efficiency.
• Optimize assets ensuring consumer facing content & packaging clearly communicates consumer value and product features.
• Monitor in-market performance to identify opportunities for product refreshes, or recommended add/ drops to retail partners

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 7+ years of experience in product, category, or brand management - with direct ownership of business performance. Preference given to prior toy industry experience
• Must have general knowledge of manufacturing materials, product development processes, and costs. Candidates should have working knowledge of producing plastic products with electronic components.
• Familiarity with the online and brick & mortar retail landscape is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience managing a product P&L is required.

EDUCATION & SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in business management, finance or other related field or equivalent work experience is required.
• Ability to execute and excel in fast-paced organization
• Ability to prioritize amid shifting priorities and a changing business landscape
• Outstanding oral and presentation-based communication skills

COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Must be proficient in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Familiarity with category and retailer data tools (e.g., Circana, Profitero, Scintilla) and POS/shopper data analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or listen.
• The team members frequently are required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The team members are occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell.
• The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• General office environment with occasional travel domestically & internationally

We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits. Plus, to keep things fun (because we are all kids at heart), we offer a host of team member activities and philanthropic efforts throughout the year and company-wide awards and recognition for a job well done!

Check out our website at www.kids2.com and our social media pages on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more information and open positions in the career section.

Drug Free Workplace M/F/D/V