Retail and Category Manager Toys

About the Company

This prominent licensing agency based in the Nordics collaborates with globally recognized names in entertainment, lifestyle, and sports. Their portfolio includes beloved characters, classic franchises, and major international events. The company connects businesses with the right intellectual properties, helping them unlock new growth opportunities through carefully tailored licensing partnerships.

About the Role

An ambitious and dedicated Retail & Category Manager - Toys is sought to join a team of 14 professionals - 4 based in the Amsterdam office and 10 at the Copenhagen headquarters. This key position, located in Amsterdam, is responsible for driving growth for brand partners by developing impactful retail activations with leading Nordic retailers, establishing strong commercial relationships, and securing optimal product visibility across the region. The role offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the world’s most iconic and beloved brands. The position reports directly to the Category Director and is part of a cross-regional team of 8 category specialists.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Management – Benelux:

• Create and execute an annual retail strategy for priority brands within the Benelux region.
• Ensure alignment between retail initiatives, brand strategies, and overarching business priorities.
• Cultivate strategic collaborations with marketing teams at major retail partners in the Netherlands and Belgium.
• Manage and update the retail activity calendar, ensuring alignment and visibility across the broader category team for campaign optimization.

• Design and implement a yearly strategic roadmap for the toy category in alignment with brand owners' regional direction.
• Monitor market trends and assess commercial opportunities, identifying gaps at national, category, and subcategory levels.
• Draft deal summaries based on strategic planning and partner discussions, ensuring brand owner approval.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of contract terms and adhere to both internal and partner approval processes.
• Provide support to local licensees in the Benelux region through brand updates, distribution insights, and retail execution ideas.
• Oversee category forecasting and budgeting, including regular updates and performance reporting.

About You

Seeking a commercially minded individual with a naturally inquisitive mindset and a positive, energetic approach.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Educational background in commerce (e.g., Marketing Economics or relevant Bachelor's degree), with 2–3 years of professional experience in a related field.
• Preferred background includes retail and/or category management, particularly within licensing, toys, or adjacent consumer goods sectors.
• Solid understanding of the retail landscape and toy market dynamics within the Benelux region.

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships across internal teams and external partners.
• Strong grasp of commercial and financial principles.
• Skilled in both verbal and written communication, with well-developed negotiation capabilities.
• Familiarity with structured processes and project coordination.
• Fluency in Dutch and English, both written and spoken.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office suite.