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Description
Job number 700090
The Consumer and Device Sales (CDS) organization works with ecosystem partners to build. Market and sell a winning portfolio that delights customers and earns fans around the world.
In this role, you will be able to create and execute an integrated Category Strategy for Xbox products across all Microsoft Consumer Channels in Japan. This is a high impact role that will optimize the consumer buying experience to build preference for Microsoft products. You will be expected to drive the strategy, investment priorities, goals by account and engage with multiple teams to develop plans that are landed through the Device Sales, Channel Sales, and Channel Marketing teams. You will be accountable for developing and executing annual and seasonal marketing plans that will drive revenue for these LOB’s as well as reach key performance indicator targets.
Microsoft is revolutionizing the gaming industry with a powerful brand portfolio that includes Xbox, Xbox One, Minecraft, Halo, and Forza to name a few. And industry-leading services such as Xbox Live, xCloud, Mixer and Xbox Game Pass. One of the most recognized brands in the world – Xbox continues to innovate with unique game experiences, cutting-edge technology, and the most advanced multiplayer network. In the Xbox category business, our goal is to accelerate gaming reach and engagement across devices.
We accomplish this goal in two ways:
Drive consumer engagement and revenue at retail: Use consumer insights, market data, store-level analysis, and sales information to evaluate our business performance and develop seasonal, launch, and sustain plans to improve our partners' business, win share, sell units, and drive revenue/GM.
Strengthen the Xbox Brand via fan-centric marketing experiences: Plan and execute thoughtful and impactful through-line full-funnel marketing, focused on driving purchase intent, conversion & post-purchase advocacy and consumer lifetime value for Xbox devices, content, accessories and services.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.
Benefits and Perks:
Industry-leading healthcare
Savings and investments
Giving programs
Educational resources
Maternity and paternity leave
Opportunities to network and connect
Discounts on products and services
Generous time away
Responsibilities
The impact you’ll be making:
Lead the Xbox Business in Japan – Take ownership of the business P&L, reporting during ROB key milestones and making strategic investment choices in Japan. Influence across boundaries and exceed expected results with the ability to paint the right picture to Execs in Redmond, in Asia CDS HQ and Japan CDS leadership teams. This individual will have full autonomy to impact and influence the business in Japan and will need to have the required leadership skills to drive impact. Engage as a Spokesperson to the consumer press in Japan.
Drive marketing and sales plans – Take the WW strategy and adapt to build the local category strategy and sales and marketing plan; Develop integrated marketing plans and strategic market objectives by a channel partner, drive marketing execution and measure execution and return on investment (ROI). Identify key segments to competing and growth opportunities. Work with sales teams on partner mapping, segmentation, and prioritization. Provide feedback to Asia region on issues, opportunities and help needed.
Drive Investment Alignment – Align investments across all consumer channels by pitching the strategy; manage through channel investments and ensure the highest ROI. Partner with AHQ integrated marketing and channel marketing to ensure marketing effectiveness and efficiency across the funnel.
Ready the team – Ensure readiness across segment and partner teams. Develop and share clear insights into growth drivers and blockers, competitive situation and a focus on the voice of the customer to feedback upstream
Tell the Product and Profitability Story – Land local product and category stories with partners including pitch decks and readiness meetings so they are leading sell in aligned to Microsoft priorities. Handoff to sales leads.
Manage and Monitor ROB – Manage and monitor the business identifying upside and managing risk or gaps. Deliver on the ROB for the assigned category of products, by channel.
Excel in Business Operations – drive accurate demand planning and inventory management processes; provide inputs to pricing process; land price promos and 1st/3rd party value-add bundles to drive volume and mix. Implement WW category management and Corp business group offer programs, messaging and sales motions that will be required to build strong category plans with our top partners
Provide Analysis & Insight – This individual will be reporting into the Xbox Asia Category Lead and a strong dotted line with the Japan Leadership team and will need to have the ability to crisply tell the business story including issues, opportunities and clear asks (art of summarization) on continuous basis by partners, leverage quantitative data to provide analysis and insight back to the business on trends from a performance and compete for perspective.
Consultative leadership – Active member of the Japan extended Leadership team and broader subsidiary and Xbox Asia category community. Develop a deep knowledge of the categories, market influencers and account strategies to be able to show thought leadership and become a trusted advisor to the account team and retail partners.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will:
Be a relentless driver who is skilled in getting work done through the influence of others – both internally and externally through retail partners
Be a confident leader, representing your business in front of partners and stakeholder at all levels inside and outside of Microsoft
Have a successful track record in managing and expanding a consumer category attaining sales and profitability targets
Be the expert for Gaming in Japan
Maintain a strong knowledge and awareness of the games industry and competitive trends
Understand retail environment, consumer and overall marketplace dynamics impacting the gaming category
Drive agreement on key channel objectives and strategies for the category and products with channel manager, account teams and accounts
Understand levers for driving change at retail, share and revenue in the category (e.g. on price, shelf presence, display, features, promotions, convenience, etc), online motions and consumer purchase habits by account and product
Experience Requirements
7+ years product or category marketing experience preferably within a global, multi-brand company
Skills
Sharp analytical skills and strong financial acumen to manage a P&L
Proven success at a business building (business/channel development, entrepreneur, change management)
Sharp analytical skills and acumen and can use to review and manage budgets, market data and deal opportunities
Passion for the gaming industry or consumer marketing and technology
Business management expertise, substantial experience in retail Go-To-Market planning and execution, influence leadership and collaboration skills to drive impact and results
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple initiatives at different maturity stages
A strong communicator capable of driving complex projects across multiple groups, deal with ambiguity and be comfortable interacting with senior leaders and virtual teams internally and externally
English proficiency – the ability to communicate across many stakeholders in a US-based organization.
Ability to develop and build trustworthy relationships with retailers and other key partners
Strong attention to detail, excellent organization and ability to effectively manage multiple projects required
The self-starting mindset with the ability to work with minimal guidance across teams, independently or collaboratively
Action and detail-oriented with a broad knowledge of sales and marketing including solid experience working through multiple internal and external partners to achieve superior results