Senior EU Category Manager

About the role

This position represents a pivotal commercial and operational leadership opportunity within Emma's European operations, demanding a high level of strategic thinking and execution. The Senior EU Category Manager serves as the definitive authority for one or multiple product categories, including Mattresses, Accessories, Beds, and Linens, owning the full spectrum of commercial outcomes. The primary responsibility is to bridge global strategic vision with the nuanced realities of the European market landscape, translating ambitious corporate goals into tangible local actions. Success in this role requires ensuring robust portfolio performance, orchestrating successful market entries for new launches, and establishing a bidirectional flow of consumer and commercial intelligence that informs global decision-making at the highest level. The function is currently undergoing a strategic evolution, placing greater emphasis on commercial ownership, accelerated feedback mechanisms, and enhanced portfolio accountability to meet rising market expectations. The incumbent will be instrumental in driving on-the-ground execution while simultaneously strengthening the connective tissue between high-level strategy and tangible market results, ensuring alignment across all European territories. This role offers the autonomy to develop localized strategies or coordinate cross-country product initiatives to address specific consumer demands across the diverse European region, fostering a sense of ownership and impact.

What you'll do

• Synthesize complex shopper data and market intelligence to formulate comprehensive, data-driven category strategies for beds and related home products.
• Design and implement highly detailed build plans for mattresses, ensuring that assortment composition, timing, and pricing are precisely aligned with channel demands and evolving consumer purchasing behaviors.
• Conduct rigorous performance reviews of linens and related accessories, identifying and implementing decisive actions designed to safeguard profitability while maintaining optimal stock availability and service levels.
• Execute sophisticated product launches across diverse European markets, requiring close alignment of distribution networks, pricing frameworks, and brand messaging to achieve strong market penetration and brand adoption.
• Act as the central point of collaboration with marketing and supply chain partners, synchronizing beds and mattresses initiatives with broader promotional schedules and commercial calendars to maximize impact.
• Conduct ongoing competitive analysis within the mattress and bed sector to monitor rival movements, dissect their strategies, and adjust positioning strategies to preserve Emma's market leadership and brand distinctiveness.
• Drive continuous evaluation of linen and accessory assortments, involving the strategic removal of underperforming items and the rapid testing of new concepts in partnership with local buying teams to optimize the product mix.
• Negotiate directly with key retail partners to secure optimal bed placement within strategic stores, leveraging commercial acumen to maximize visibility, conversion rates, and long-term partnership value.
• Partner with finance and commercial teams to define and monitor category profitability, ensuring pricing strategies, trade investments, and promotional activities meet stringent financial targets.
• Champion innovation within the category by identifying emerging trends, new materials, and consumer behaviors, and advocating for their integration into Emma's European product roadmap.

Requirements

• Possess a proven track record of a minimum of three years in category management or a functionally equivalent commercial position within a competitive retail or fast-moving consumer goods environment.
• Demonstrate a deep, specialized understanding of the mattresses and beds retail sector, including intricate knowledge of how distribution channels operate and how diverse assortments are structured, managed, and merchandised.
• Show a thorough comprehension of European consumer markets, specifically regarding how individuals make complex decisions regarding bedding purchases and how competitive forces operate and intersect within this specific environment.
• Exhibit the ability to communicate complex insights, strategic plans, and performance data fluently in English to ensure effective engagement with global stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership.
• Display strong commercial acumen and a results-driven mindset, with the capability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic, and target-oriented environment without compromising on quality or accuracy.
• Have a proven history of using analytical tools to interpret large datasets, drawing actionable conclusions that drive commercial strategy and category performance improvements across various European markets.
• Cultivate excellent interpersonal and influencing skills to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners, building strong relationships based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Show resilience and adaptability, thriving in an environment of ambiguity and change, where market conditions, competitive landscapes, and consumer preferences evolve rapidly.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working with Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) business models and digital commerce platforms is highly valued, providing a distinct advantage in understanding online consumer journeys and digital merchandising.
• Proficiency in core analytical tools is expected, including advanced spreadsheet manipulation, professional presentation software, and category management-specific systems to drive efficiency and deeper insights.

Practical notes

• The successful candidate will operate from the Lisbon base and will be engaged as a permanent, full-time member of the Emma team.
• The compensation package for this role ranges from 60,000 to 70,000 EUR.
• All applicants are advised to verify specific details regarding the application process on the official portal to ensure compliance with regional procedures and requirements.