Category Leader, Helmets

Category Leader, Helmets

Are you ready to be a thought leader and help define the future of cycling? Do you want to work with the greatest athletes, engineers, , and an entire organization dedicated to helping riders understand next level innovation and performance that Specialized brings to riders?

To help drive this vision, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Helmets Category Leader to drive our growth and innovation. The successful candidate will be responsible for devising long-term business development strategies, managing budgets, and maximizing revenue and innovation for the category. This role will require close collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure successful product launches, effective inventory management, and alignment with market demands.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Strategy Development: Devise long-term business development strategies for the category, focusing on revenue growth and market expansion.

• Budget Management: Take ownership of budget development and revenue generation for the category, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.

• Demand Planning: Collaborate with demand planners to develop accurate forecasts for product demand, ensuring optimal inventory levels to meet market needs.

• Product Positioning: Determine the positioning of the product category to maximize visibility and appeal to target consumers.

• Vendor Management: Cultivate and maintain relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services, negotiating contracts and terms as needed.

• Supply Chain Coordination: Work closely with purchasing and supply chain teams to ensure product availability aligns with market demands while supporting overall business strategy.

• Market Research: Conduct comprehensive market research to understand target rider needs, gather feedback, and compile insights into product briefs for design and engineering teams.

• New Product Introduction (NPI): Act as a key stakeholder in individual project GTM/NPI strategies, participating in meetings and presentations to drive successful product launches.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with design, engineering, marketing, merchandising, and other teams to ensure seamless product development and launches.

• Mid/Short-Term Product Strategy: Support long-term category strategy with mid/short-term product strategy, aligning design and development efforts with rider needs.

• MPL Management: Manage and organize the entire Helmet MPL, negotiating pricing, managing SKUs, and ensuring timely supply of products.

• Costing and Tooling: Negotiate pricing for models, colors, graphics, and packaging, ensuring alignment with specific product requirements and tracking costing for tooling.

• Color/Graphics Management: Manage and maintain product color/graphics development, overseeing sampling and final sign-off for production.

• Market Research: Conduct ongoing market research to assess the size and potential of the business, both in terms of SKUs and revenue.

WHAT YOU NEED TO WIN

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, or related field.

• Deep knowledge of the outdoor industry, ideally the cycling industry.

• 10+ years of proven experience in business development, category management, or related roles within the consumer goods industry.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and market trends.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.

• Strategic thinker with a focus on driving results and achieving business objectives.

Pay

Below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations:

California Base Pay Range: $129,326 - $225,026
Colorado Base Pay Range: $122,859 - $206,274

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time teammate you are eligible for the following benefits beginning 30 days from date of hire. Benefits include:

• Along with competitive pay, as a full-time teammate you are eligible for the following benefits beginning 30 days from date of hire. Benefits include:

• PPO, EPO, HMO Kaiser and HDHP competitive Healthcare benefit plans offered (which include coverage for acupuncture and physical therapy)

• Dental and Vision plan

• Health Savings Account with a company paid HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA

• 401(k) Matching up to $5,000 plus company paid retirement plan fees

• Profit Sharing Plan

• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Employee Assistance program

• Sick, Vacation and Paid Holidays

• Employee discounts and perk program

• Parental Leave

• Specialized bike for new baby

• Education and events reimbursement