Gaming Accessories Category Manager - Full-time
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In the Consumer Sales Organization (CSO) our purpose is to earn fans and drive growth by building connections to empower everyone. We engage with consumers globally throughout their shopping journeys, navigating both physical storefronts and digital visits across Direct and Partner Channels in Gaming, Windows, M365 and Surface. Together with our ecosystem partners, we strategize and implement plans for customer engagement and economic growth.
As an **Accessories Category Manager** , you’ll be part of growing a multi-billion-dollar business, charting new areas of innovation, and impacting billions of lives around the world. You also will be a part of a culture centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. If that appeals to you, it’s an exciting time to be here in CSO.
**Within Gaming, we accomplish Microsoft’s mission in two ways**
1. **Drive consumer engagement and revenue at retail** : Use consumer insights, market data, store level analysis, and sales information to evaluate our business performance and develop seasonal, launch, & sustain plans to improve our partners’ business, win share, sell units, and drive revenue.
2. **Amplify the Xbox brand through our retail partners** : Plan and execute thoughtful and impactful through-line-full-funnel-marketing, focused on driving purchase intent, conversion & post purchase advocacy and consumer lifetime value for Gaming devices, content, accessories, and services.
**What our team offers**
At the core, we are a customer-focused team that encourages a diverse & inclusive culture. We are respectful, collaborative, accountable and approach work with a fun, positive attitude.
**How you can make an impact**
As Accessories Category Manager within CSO you will work as a part of an Americas Accessories Category Management team to achieve annual Retail Sales revenue & GM goals of the portfolio. Manage category strategy, business operations and investments from end to end and serving as a subject matter expert on Gaming Accessories. Build and drive GTM strategy and KPIs at the regional and/or sub-regional level to deliver upon the priorities and initiatives cascaded from Worldwide Category. Drive Accessories category leadership through revealing and pursuing white-space opportunities for growth.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
**Responsibilities**
**General Management**
+ Manage business operations within a category from end-to-end, serving as a subject matter expert on the Americas Accessories Category (e.g., product/service knowledge; historical context; category trends; where a product/service sits within category strategy), and provides expertise on the broader category and industry.
+ Report data-driven product channel insights from partners (e.g., voice of the customer [VOC] data) back to the Worldwide Category team and/or the business group to support product strategy, maximize revenue, and help define future product development.
**Financial Accountability**
+ Manages accountability for top-line and bottom-line profit and loss for the Gaming Accessories category.
+ Ensures efficient use of organizational resources to execute marketing and promotional plans within the category.
+ Manages & support key category management functions in fiscal year forecasting, planning, and budgeting, and ensures financial compliance.
**Business Planning & ROB**
+ Supports the development of go-to-market (GTM) plans and key performance indicators (KPIs) for Americas Accessories Category. Contributes to the definition of execution plans in partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance). Produces a regular cadence of reports as required to track overall performance and identify trends.
+ Contributes to review meetings as a part of the rhythm of business (ROB) cadence and summarizes feedback on business and campaign performance for a portion of a product or service area.
+ In partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance, Sales Excellence, Business Operations), defines and owns product specific channel strategy and investments, supports development of execution plans, and drives longer-term initiatives for the region.
**Execution**
+ Manages execution of category strategy and investments with partners. Adjusts programs and investments, and ensures alignment of execution plans as needed using guidance from corporate and performance data.
+ Leverages financial performance data and models to ensure expected outcomes are delivered, and feeds back market insights to corporate to address competitive concerns within the market.
**Measuring and Monitoring**
+ Leverages deep knowledge of analyses and results to be able to simplify data and report results. Translates data analytics into actionable business insights.
+ Disseminates insights to ensure that key stakeholders understand the factors driving performance and what course corrections or resources are needed to enable categories to hit their targets.
+ Shares best practices with internal stakeholders and business partners for identifying trends across the product category.
+ Leverages historical analyses and insights to support business planning and provide future projections on trends and impacts.
**Business Steward**
+ Supports reporting on top-line and bottom-line profit and loss for Americas Accessories. Ensures spend optimization for assigned area. Helps ensure that the allocated budget/investment is properly spent and in alignment with business objectives. Understands financial compliance and aligns with compliance rules and regulations, asking questions to build an understanding of compliance.
+ Contributes to business operations within a portion of a category and/or region, providing product expertise (e.g., market, audience, technical features) for a single line of business to internal teams (e.g., sales and marketing teams), partners, and/or customers. Acts as a steward of the One Microsoft approach within the region.
**Growth Opportunity**
+ Collaborates closely with team members to analyze data, identify themes, and generate business recommendations (e.g., execution improvements, growth trends). Gains first-hand experience with customers and/or partners.
+ Embody our culture (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/culture)  and values (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about) .
**Qualifications**
**Required/minimum qualifications**
+ 2+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field.
+ OR equivalent experience.
+ 2+ years Category or product management experience in Consumer electronic products sold through retail channels.
**Additional/preferred qualifications**
+ 4+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field.
+ OR equivalent experience.
+ Experience in Consumer Electronic products sold through Retail Channels.
+ Category or product management experience in Consumer electronic products sold through retail channels.
+ Experience with demand planning and forecasting.
+ Gaming experience is a plus.
Category Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $85,100 - $169,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $112,000 - $185,300 per year.
Find additional benefits and pay information
here:  https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 18th, 2025.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .
In the Consumer Sales Organization (CSO) our purpose is to earn fans and drive growth by building connections to empower everyone. We engage with consumers globally throughout their shopping journeys, navigating both physical storefronts and digital visits across Direct and Partner Channels in Gaming, Windows, M365 and Surface. Together with our ecosystem partners, we strategize and implement plans for customer engagement and economic growth.
As an **Accessories Category Manager** , you’ll be part of growing a multi-billion-dollar business, charting new areas of innovation, and impacting billions of lives around the world. You also will be a part of a culture centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. If that appeals to you, it’s an exciting time to be here in CSO.
**Within Gaming, we accomplish Microsoft’s mission in two ways**
1. **Drive consumer engagement and revenue at retail** : Use consumer insights, market data, store level analysis, and sales information to evaluate our business performance and develop seasonal, launch, & sustain plans to improve our partners’ business, win share, sell units, and drive revenue.
2. **Amplify the Xbox brand through our retail partners** : Plan and execute thoughtful and impactful through-line-full-funnel-marketing, focused on driving purchase intent, conversion & post purchase advocacy and consumer lifetime value for Gaming devices, content, accessories, and services.
**What our team offers**
At the core, we are a customer-focused team that encourages a diverse & inclusive culture. We are respectful, collaborative, accountable and approach work with a fun, positive attitude.
**How you can make an impact**
As Accessories Category Manager within CSO you will work as a part of an Americas Accessories Category Management team to achieve annual Retail Sales revenue & GM goals of the portfolio. Manage category strategy, business operations and investments from end to end and serving as a subject matter expert on Gaming Accessories. Build and drive GTM strategy and KPIs at the regional and/or sub-regional level to deliver upon the priorities and initiatives cascaded from Worldwide Category. Drive Accessories category leadership through revealing and pursuing white-space opportunities for growth.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
**Responsibilities**
**General Management**
+ Manage business operations within a category from end-to-end, serving as a subject matter expert on the Americas Accessories Category (e.g., product/service knowledge; historical context; category trends; where a product/service sits within category strategy), and provides expertise on the broader category and industry.
+ Report data-driven product channel insights from partners (e.g., voice of the customer [VOC] data) back to the Worldwide Category team and/or the business group to support product strategy, maximize revenue, and help define future product development.
**Financial Accountability**
+ Manages accountability for top-line and bottom-line profit and loss for the Gaming Accessories category.
+ Ensures efficient use of organizational resources to execute marketing and promotional plans within the category.
+ Manages & support key category management functions in fiscal year forecasting, planning, and budgeting, and ensures financial compliance.
**Business Planning & ROB**
+ Supports the development of go-to-market (GTM) plans and key performance indicators (KPIs) for Americas Accessories Category. Contributes to the definition of execution plans in partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance). Produces a regular cadence of reports as required to track overall performance and identify trends.
+ Contributes to review meetings as a part of the rhythm of business (ROB) cadence and summarizes feedback on business and campaign performance for a portion of a product or service area.
+ In partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Finance, Sales Excellence, Business Operations), defines and owns product specific channel strategy and investments, supports development of execution plans, and drives longer-term initiatives for the region.
**Execution**
+ Manages execution of category strategy and investments with partners. Adjusts programs and investments, and ensures alignment of execution plans as needed using guidance from corporate and performance data.
+ Leverages financial performance data and models to ensure expected outcomes are delivered, and feeds back market insights to corporate to address competitive concerns within the market.
**Measuring and Monitoring**
+ Leverages deep knowledge of analyses and results to be able to simplify data and report results. Translates data analytics into actionable business insights.
+ Disseminates insights to ensure that key stakeholders understand the factors driving performance and what course corrections or resources are needed to enable categories to hit their targets.
+ Shares best practices with internal stakeholders and business partners for identifying trends across the product category.
+ Leverages historical analyses and insights to support business planning and provide future projections on trends and impacts.
**Business Steward**
+ Supports reporting on top-line and bottom-line profit and loss for Americas Accessories. Ensures spend optimization for assigned area. Helps ensure that the allocated budget/investment is properly spent and in alignment with business objectives. Understands financial compliance and aligns with compliance rules and regulations, asking questions to build an understanding of compliance.
+ Contributes to business operations within a portion of a category and/or region, providing product expertise (e.g., market, audience, technical features) for a single line of business to internal teams (e.g., sales and marketing teams), partners, and/or customers. Acts as a steward of the One Microsoft approach within the region.
**Growth Opportunity**
+ Collaborates closely with team members to analyze data, identify themes, and generate business recommendations (e.g., execution improvements, growth trends). Gains first-hand experience with customers and/or partners.
+ Embody our culture (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/culture)  and values (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about) .
**Qualifications**
**Required/minimum qualifications**
+ 2+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field.
+ OR equivalent experience.
+ 2+ years Category or product management experience in Consumer electronic products sold through retail channels.
**Additional/preferred qualifications**
+ 4+ years category management, product management, marketing strategy, business planning, product planning, or related work experience AND Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Economics, Public Relations, Engineering, or related field.
+ OR equivalent experience.
+ Experience in Consumer Electronic products sold through Retail Channels.
+ Category or product management experience in Consumer electronic products sold through retail channels.
+ Experience with demand planning and forecasting.
+ Gaming experience is a plus.
Category Management IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $85,100 - $169,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $112,000 - $185,300 per year.
Find additional benefits and pay information
here:  https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 18th, 2025.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .
