Category Director - Travel & Lifestyle/Everyday

Join our team at Helen of Troy and make an immediate impact on our trusted brand: Osprey. Together, we build innovative and useful products that elevate people's lives everywhere every day.

Look around your home, and you'll find us everywhere, in your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. We are already making your everyday lives better. We are powered by knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking people committed to developing a culture of inclusion. Whether you are just starting your career or in need of a challenge, we recognize, develop, and empower talent!

Position: Category Director, Travel & Lifestyle/Everyday (Osprey)

Department: Product Management, Osprey

Work Location: Cortez, CO

Hybrid Schedule: At Helen of Troy, we embrace a flexible hybrid work model designed to support collaboration and productivity. For roles eligible for hybrid work, our standard schedule includes in-office collaboration from Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Any updates to this model will be communicated in advance. Please note that hybrid eligibility and schedules may vary based on business needs and manager expectations.

What you will be doing:

The Category Director, Travel & Lifestyle/Everyday is responsible for growing and evolving the travel & lifestyle/everyday product categories. The position works with internal stakeholders and outside partners to prioritize and commercialize short and long-term technical opportunities.

• Product line planning Long-Term growth for the current Travel categories and new areas for category expansion.

• Oversight of the Lifestyle/Everyday PLM & product planning Long-Term growth of the Lifestyle/everyday categories and new areas for category expansion.

• Conduct and deliver seasonal category market research and competitive analysis.

• Gather, access and ID sales trends & needs from sales leadership, Sales reps and key retailer input.

• Quarterly market share and trend research provided at the QBR meeting.

• Partner with Global Design and marketing to ID and refine target customer personas.

• Working with GM, and global Sales & Marketing leads to create 5yr strat plans with detailed annual category plans with ROI for leadership team review. Including: market trends, competitive analysis, market size & sales/potential, customer research.

• Seasonal product line planning and assortment reviews with Sales, marketing, and finance during yearly budget planning and LR & GTM process.

• Works with global leadership in Design, Sales, Marketing and Opps/Production to develop a comprehensive GTM strategy for each product subcategory with related support needs.

• Work with GTM, design & development calendar to ID all critical steps and provide clear RACI for each step/gate. Adhere to go no go critical dates/gates.

• Improve costing and forecasting model with IT, finance, and sales.

• Product testing – instigates comprehensive field-testing program and warranty & repair assessment to ensure product quality.

• Legal – Provides proactive timely information for legal research & review of potential IP clearance or application, Names and Graphic/logo applications.

• Ensure documentation is accurate and up to date and accessible for – Line lists, 5 yr product pipeline, Briefs, and VLP’s.

• Supporting product launches with shared sales & marketing strategy development, editing sales materials (GTM plan & PMP, Workbook).

• Supporting sales in work with Sales meeting presentations, Key retailer visits, trade show & PR support.

• Ensuring departmental priorities and top-level goals are communicated, understood, and supported withing the global PLM and Design group.

• Ensuring top level product goals are communicated, understood, and supported by Global Sales, Marketing, and Production teams.

• Creation of Departmental staffing and individual development plans.

• Developing training and mentoring plans with annual departmental goal setting and regular one-on-one meetings and coaching.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, merchandising, design or relevant field.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in outdoor packs, bags and travel luggage.

• 10+ years of progressive experience managing staff.

• Proven background in developing innovative products.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%).

• Ability to attend early and evening calls as required.

• Authorized to work full time in the United States.

Preferred Qualification:

• MBA.

• Experience in sustainable design.

• International Market experience.

In Colorado, the standard base pay range for this role is $140,000.00 – $180,000.00 annually. This base pay range is specific to Colorado and may not be applicable to other locations. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to location, experience, skill level, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.

Benefits: Salary + Bonus, Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, 401(k) with company match, Basic Life Insurance, Short Term Disability (STD), Long Term Disability (LTD), Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Charitable (volunteer) Leave, and Educational Assistance.

Wondering if you should apply? Helen of Troy welcomes people as diverse as our brands. Have the confidence to come as who you are because your point of view, skills, and experience will make us stronger. If you're eager to share new ideas and try new things, we want to hear from you.

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For more information about Helen of Troy, visit www.helenoftroy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn, and Glassdoor.

Helen of Troy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We will provide individuals with disabilities with reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process.  To request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (915) 225-8000. 

Founded in 1968, Helen of Troy is a leading global consumer products company with operations across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.  Our portfolio includes trusted brands such as OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Honeywell, PUR, Braun, Vicks, Hot Tools, Drybar, Curlsmith, Revlon, and Olive & June – many of which rank among the top brands in their consumer goods categories.

We grow and strengthen our brands through innovation, operational excellence, and a collaborative culture focused on delivering exceptional products and experiences for consumers worldwide.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

Management reserves the right to modify the duties and responsibilities of the position at any time.