Manager, Category Management FBC (Licensing)

The Manager is responsible for managing assigned categories in the Food and Beverage business, driving the overall category strategy for the specific assigned categories, and managing key licensee relationships in support of NBCUniversal’s brands across Film, Television, and other intellectual property. 

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5+ years of experience in category management, brand management, consumer products, or retail business development, with a strong understanding of the retail landscape within Food, Beauty, and Consumables categories. Licensing experience is preferred. 

Success in this role requires strong selling and relationship-building skills, as this individual will be responsible for developing and maintaining stable, productive partnerships with licensing partners in a highly competitive marketplace. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is well organized, proactive in follow-up, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. They should demonstrate leadership potential, strong conflict management and adaptability, and a positive, team-oriented approach, with the ability to take feedback well and contribute effectively across both strategic and detail-oriented work. 

Salary range: $90,000 - $125,000 (bonus eligible)

Category Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned to overall franchise and brand objectives
• Identify opportunities and gaps across product categories, sub-categories, consumer segments, markets, channels, and age groups to drive incremental revenue
• Manage the end-to-end business development cycle: from identifying target licensees and initial outreach to crafting pitch decks and closing partnerships.
• Support category growth through expansion of existing licensees and onboarding of new partners

Licensing & Deal Execution

• Lead negotiations and secure licensing deals, managing the contract process from initiation through execution
• Evaluate and optimize licensee business plans to ensure alignment with category and financial goals
• Manage ongoing licensee relationships to drive performance, accountability, and long-term growth

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Retail Development, Product Development, Product Design, Finance, Legal, and Franchise teams to align category initiatives with brand strategy
• Collaborate on retail programs, marketing initiatives, and product launches tied to current film releases and library properties
• Champion product quality, storytelling, and innovation across licensed products

Financial Planning & Performance

• Manage annual budget planning and quarterly revenue forecasting for assigned categories
• Track and analyze category performance, identifying opportunities to meet or exceed financial targets
• Manage ongoing licensee relationships to safeguard business health, proactively addressing sales and distribution roadblocks to mitigate revenue risk.

Market Intelligence & Business Development

• Maintain knowledge of industry trends, competitive landscape, licensee performance, and retail buying cycles
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities by researching prospective partners, tracking industry trends, and translating consumer insights into actionable whitespace opportunities aligned with franchise priorities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support brand marketing initiatives, including sell-in processes and execution of category plans
• Perform other duties as needed to support the business

Required Experience & Skills

• 5+ years of experience in category management, brand management, consumer products, or retail business development
• Experience managing partner relationships, complex business initiatives, and cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of brand positioning, retail distribution, and the consumer products landscape
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional partnerships and influence stakeholders
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial planning skills (forecasting, budgeting)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficiency in Keynote 
• Willingness to travel as needed
• Hybrid: This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

Preferred

• Experience in Food, Beauty, and Consumables categories, with exposure to partner-facing commercial or licensing-driven businesses
• Licensing experience, including exposure to licensee management, deal execution, entertainment, consumer products, or brand-led partnership environments
• Experience in a large matrixed working environment
• Experience with licensing systems (e.g., Launchpad)
• Strong project management skills
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.