Softlines Product Category Manager

Riot Games • Los Angeles, CA

22h

About The Position

Riot Games Consumer Products wants every fan of Riot IP - past, present, and future - to feel proud to express their love of our IP through physical merchandise. We aim to build phenomenal products that legitimize that expression. From cute collectible figurines that brighten up any desk, to an exclusive hoodie that is only available to players at an Esports event, we look to create meaningful product experiences that fit into our players’ lifestyle and passions.

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.

Requirements

• 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

Nice To Haves

• Gaming experience with one or multiple of Riot's games
• Experience working on product development in a licensee or licensor capacity

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules.
• We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees