Softlines Product Category Manager, Riot Games

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or equivalent work experience
• Passion for building meaningful product experiences for our players
• Minimum of 5 years of experience developing consumer products programs for entertainment and/or game IP
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product or category management, product marketing, business development, or licensing roles preferred
• Proven success in cultivating strong relationships with a global network of licensees by category, manufacturers, and retailers
• Experience with project management tools (such as AirTable, Trello, or Asana) and spreadsheet programs (such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets)
• Comfort with ambiguity and managing changing situations
• Highly organized and detail oriented

Desirable

• As the Softlines Product Category Manager, you’ll support passionate, diverse teams in making product dreams come true
• You’ll operate in a highly entrepreneurial environment to drive the Softlines business, strategically guiding both our Riot-made products as well as licensed products and partner collaborations in meeting player demand across our full portfolio
• You’ll take the lead in working cross-functionally with internal and external partner teams to ensure products are intentionally aligned, developmentally on track, and creatively merchandised and presented to players
• From apparel to accessories to homegoods and beyond, you’ll play a dynamic role in delivering thoughtful physical product experiences for players around the globe all year long
• Strategic Vision: Support the development of the annual global category plan by setting strategic direction for OEM and licensed merchandise across Riot’s portfolio of intellectual property
• Category & Merchandising Strategy: Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies that align with brand and game objectives while meeting product lifecycle and merchandising goals
• P&L Management: Manage OEM P&L to ensure product lines meet budget and profitability targets while identifying opportunities for growth
• Licensee Management: Oversee licensee relationships from contract negotiation to execution, including onboarding, product line planning, marketing followthrough, and reporting retrospectives
• Market Analysis & Forecasting: Drive category growth by conducting detailed analyses of market trends, player feedback, and sales forecasts to inform product selection and inventory planning
• Marketing & Distribution Strategy: Partner with regional partners, eCommerce, and game teams to develop marketing plans and distribution plans
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with game teams, licensees, product development, regional teams and retail partners to create tailored product assortments and deliver on player needs
• Product Lifecycle Management: Strategically manage product lifecycle planning, ensuring timely launches, future product planning, and opportunities that align with player and market trends
• Industry & Market Insight: Research and monitor industry trends, player behavior, competitive landscape, and licensee performance to identify growth opportunities and white space for innovation