Category Manager Commercial Desktops

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Business Planning: Contribute to and influence the category’s business plan and growth strategy. This includes analyzing market opportunities and defining strategies that drive revenue growth and profitability for the consumer product portfolio. The Category Manager leads product positioning and pricing strategy to ensure a competitive advantage in the market, and develops both long-term vision and short-term action plans for the category.
• Product Line Ownership: Manage the product portfolio end-to-end, holding P&L responsibility and quota for a significant segment of the product range. You will oversee product lifecycle activities such as new product introductions, assortment planning, and phase-outs, ensuring the lineup meets local market needs. Full product line and quota accountability means taking ownership of revenue, unit volume, and margin targets for your category. [
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams – including marketing, sales, finance (and supply chain as needed) – to ensure seamless execution of category plans and initiatives. This involves coordinating marketing campaigns, sales programs, and pricing/promotional activities, and making sure that all departments are aligned with the category strategy. You will often lead or participate in cross-functional go-to-market teams to drive daily execution of marketing, operational, and financial activities.
• Performance Monitoring & Optimization: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and sales results for the category, and use these metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement. Regularly review category sales performance, market share, inventory levels, and profitability. When performance gaps or opportunities are identified, you will develop and implement corrective actions or improvement plans. This data-driven approach ensures that business decisions are grounded in metrics and insights.
• Customer Insight & Market Feedback: Gather and analyze customer feedback and market data to understand consumer needs, preferences, and pain points. By tracking customer insights and competitive dynamics, the Category Manager identifies actionable improvements to products or go-to-market strategies. For example, you may work with sales teams to collect feedback from channel partners or end-customers and then adjust marketing plans or product positioning accordingly, ensuring the offering remains relevant and compelling.
• Market Analysis & Product Marketing: Conduct market analysis and oversee marketing engagement for the category. Stay informed on market trends, competitor offerings, and emerging consumer demands. Use this knowledge to guide pricing, promotions, and channel programs that support the category’s financial objectives. You will plan and execute product launches and marketing initiatives, tailoring messaging and value propositions to the local market. This responsibility includes working with the marketing team on campaigns, events, and merchandising to drive product demand.
• Channel Partner Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with channel partners and the sales force. Act as the primary category representative in interactions with retail partners, distributors, and the field sales team. You will provide partners and sales reps with product training, sales tools, and actionable insights to help them effectively sell the products. Additionally, you will represent the category in internal sales meetings and external partner meetings, ensuring that partner feedback is heard and that the category’s strategy is well communicated.
• External Vendor Collaboration: Participate in partnerships with external IT vendors and strategic allies when relevant. For example, you might coordinate with global product divisions or external technology partners (such as OEM component suppliers or software partners) on co-marketing initiatives or bundle offerings. By engaging with these external stakeholders, you ensure that the category leverages all available resources and partnership opportunities to drive business growth.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrate initiative in improving category operations and processes. This could involve streamlining forecasting methods, improving the accuracy of business reports, or suggesting more efficient ways to execute category programs. You are expected to exercise independent judgment within your area and propose innovative solutions that enhance category performance and team efficiency.

Qualifications

• Education: A four-year Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Business, Marketing, Sales Administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant work experience can also be considered in lieu of a formal degree

• Work Experience: Typically 3–5 years of professional experience in roles such as category management, product/brand management, or P&L management within a relevant industry. This experience should include direct involvement in driving business results (e.g. managing a product line or business segment, contributing to sales growth, etc.). Experience specifically in the commercial products sector or technology/IT industry is highly beneficial.

• Strategic & Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities and strategic thinking skills are required. You should be comfortable working with business data (sales figures, market research, KPIs) to derive insights and make informed decisions. The role demands the ability to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and formulate strategies based on quantitative analysis. A data-driven mindset and proficiency with analytical tools or Excel are expected.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills are essential, as this role interfaces with many stakeholders. You must be able to clearly articulate category plans and results to different audiences (e.g. sales teams, management, partners). Strong cross-functional collaboration skills are required to work effectively with internal teams in marketing, finance, and sales. The ability to influence without direct authority, negotiate priorities, and build consensus is key. Fluent business-level English is required (additional local language proficiency is a plus in communications with local partners)

• Results Orientation: A goal-oriented, results-driven mindset is critical for success in this position. The ideal candidate takes initiative and has a demonstrated ability to meet or exceed business targets. You should be adept at project management, able to juggle multiple initiatives, and prioritize tasks to deliver results in a fast-paced environment. Problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to change are also important.

• Language Skills: Fluent German and English

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry Experience: Proven track record in category management or a closely related area is highly valued. For instance, experience managing a product portfolio’s performance in the consumer electronics or FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sector – including responsibility for revenue and margin outcomes – will give you a strong advantage. Achievements such as successfully growing a category’s market share or launching new products that drove significant sales are viewed favorably

• Channel & Partner Experience: Experience working with channel partners or external vendors is a plus. This could include collaborating with retailers, distributors, or alliance partners on go-to-market activities. Familiarity with partner ecosystems and prior exposure to partner management (e.g. coordinating joint promotions with retailers or negotiating vendor support for marketing funds) will help in excelling at the collaboration aspects of this role.

• Advanced Education: An advanced degree such as an MBA (Master of Business Administration) or a relevant master’s degree is preferred but not mandatory. Advanced education can strengthen strategic business insight and may substitute for some work experience. In particular, an MBA with a focus on marketing or strategy could be beneficial in handling the strategic planning and analytical requirements of the role.

• Additional Skills: Certification or training in category management principles, data analytics, or project management (e.g. CPM – Certified Product Manager, or similar credentials) would be advantageous. Likewise, demonstrated leadership in a matrix environment or prior experience mentoring junior team members can be a plus, as it shows readiness to take on expanded responsibilities.