Category Operations
•Manages business operations within a category or a subset of a category/region, serving as a subject matter expert on a line of business (e.g., product/service knowledge to support partner and/or consumer needs), and may provide expertise on the broader category and industry
•Develops category strategy and key performance indicators (KPIs) to deliver upon the priorities and initiatives cascaded from Worldwide go-to-market (GTM). In partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance, Sales Excellence), defines product-specific channel execution plans. May partner with business operations, legal, and finance to develop incentive programs as needed
•Serves as a resource and point of expertise and approval for key performance indicators (KPIs) and scorecard metrics. Draws insights from aggregate analyses and reports of KPIs and scorecard metrics to inform long-term business planning decision-making

Category Expertise
•Leads product disclosure and participates in partner engagements as product specialist across partners as required
•Leverages data, insights, and a risk-based approach to convey the value proposition of product(s) or service(s). Identifies product opportunities to expand sales opportunities for category across partner types
•Develops strategy for required skilling of internal and/or external partners as required and partners with Device Marketing to drive execution plans
•Leverages technical expertise to proactively anticipate and identify trend changes and challenges and adapt work accordingly
•Serves as a subject matter expert on the product(s) or service(s) and leading storytelling both internally and externally for the category
•Contributes to category performance through identifying areas to increase audience size or value obtained from the audience
•Recommends short/near-term growth opportunities. Supports the partner planning process by sharing knowledge of category plans

Category Excellence
•Maintain view of offering portfolio (devices / services across price points and target audiences) for region to support partner assortment and integration with offers/campaigns
•Drive discretionary investment planning for the category, and ensure partner activities are aligned with priorities
•Drive promotional and programmatic investment priorities managing the profitability of the product line within the region to maximize P&L performance drawing on partner insights from sales and device marketing
•Partner with finance and leverage alignment across the partner ecosystem and/or the financial operating model process to develop and request funding for business growth opportunities
•Understand WW and regional competitive landscape and build effective response in leveraging campaigns, programs and investments available through WW GTM while recommending opportunities for future development

Solution/Offering Launch
•Defines and develops marketing strategies to ensure market, channel, partner readiness for new solution/offering launch
•Collaborates across cross-functional teams to execute and strategize on solution/offering launch strategies within a go-to-market planning cycle to ensure full-funnel marketing
•Continuously optimizes and owns consistent experiences across partners/the channel by leveraging marketing materials and toolkits to execute on-time and align to budget

Qualifications

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.

Expectations

• 4-6+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience
  •Proven expertise in business management. Success in scaling existing business models and building new business for growth (business/channel development, entrepreneur, change management)
  •Proven ability to build and drive strong partner relationships, you can become your clients trusted advisor
  •Executive communication skills with the ability to influence internally and externally
  •Thriving in ambiguity and challenging status quo
  •Background in PC hardware and/or the commercial hardware channel is a plus
  •Travel required, 25% depending on role location
  •Relocation accommodated for qualified candidates