Category Assistant, Fixed-Term Contract

About the Role & Team

This role will support Senior Category Manager with execution of long term and fiscal year strategies as set by department leads, and on daily operations of the toys licensing category with pitching and securing new licensees that enhance the category growth in a substantial manner. Your role will be to coordinate seasonal marketing and retail campaigns and key projects to support the delivery of business strategies and financial targets, collaborating with retail & marketing departments.

You will be assisting in product approvals, coordination with licensors and internal teams, and helping ensure licensed products align with brand guidelines.

You will apply creativity and develop commerciality and expertise in relevant category product development and utilize knowledge of digital, social and bricks and mortar marketing alongside key trends and consumer insight to support with the implementation of strategies cross company and departmentally. You will need to be agile in order to be responsive to emerging opportunities.

What You Will Do

• With direction from the Senior Category Manager, support the implementation the long-term strategy for specific department in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

• Using key trends as well as commercial and consumer insight, support the implementation of strategies cross company and departmentally whilst being agile to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities and target partners

• Support the Senior Category Manager with the annual operating plan and quarterly forecasting process as directed, developing supplier (licensee) objectives and strategies, working with markets, consumer demo groups, category teams, franchise, marketing, product development and finance to drive growth

• Team project coordinator for key cross franchise seasonal campaigns; involving coordinating with franchise development and marketing teams, licensee brand teams, retail teams, ensuring product images and assets are available and adhere to brand guidelines

• Support the wider team with the creation of category briefs, pitches and retail campaign ideas, ensuring decks and materials adhere to brand guidelines

• Support and cultivate the relationship engagement and partnership with each EMEA account, new and existing

• Support the local licensees at royalty reporting (SRR) process, collaborating with revenue accounting team

• Administration of contracts and support for certain accounts and appropriately inform all key stakeholders (global, EMEA and local)

• Work closely with the creative teams on product development and the marketing teams to support the sale of the product as required by licensee/retailer. Support the licensees at product approval (OPA) process in collaboration with creative team

• Communicate the International Labour Standards (ILS) process and be the conduit between the supplier and The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) ILS team as directed

• With direction from the Senior Category Manager, support execution of new business development pitches and develop research projects with a focus on identifying scalable opportunities

• Coordinate and actively contribute in market meetings

• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with Disney market teams providing information and regular strategy and franchise updates as well as understanding and satisfying local market needs and differences. Utilise these relationships to share best practise

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience

• Fluent in both Turkish and English

• Experience within consumer products commercialisation, beneficial

• Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments to achieve joint goals

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV in English.

​The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided the necessary accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive all benefits of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.