Sr. Category & Product Manager - UK

Sr. Category & Product Manager - UK

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the premium stroller category in Europe, driving product vision and strategy.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team focused on innovative design and consumer insights.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for international travel.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the stroller market with your creativity and leadership.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in product management, preferably in juvenile products or premium brands.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We are seeking a Sr. Category & Product Manager to build and scale a premium stroller business in Europe, grounded in European design, functionality, and consumer insight. This role is the business owner for the stroller category in Europe—setting the long‑term product vision, leading cross‑functional teams, and owning the end‑to‑end category strategy from portfolio and roadmap to financial performance and market execution. You operate as the GM of the stroller category in Europe, owning revenue, margin, and SKU productivity while creating a differentiated, design‑led offering that wins with European consumers and retailers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Own the European stroller category P&L (revenue, margin, key investments), setting forecasts, cost targets, margin goals, and managing overall portfolio health.
  • Define the category vision and 3‑year product roadmap, aligned with Kids2’s global strategy, including a clear good/better/best portfolio and premium positioning for Europe.
  • Leverage European consumer insights, category data, and competitive intelligence (e.g., Bugaboo, Cybex, Uppababy) to identify whitespace and guide long‑term product vision and innovation.
  • Translate European parenting behaviors into clear product briefs and partner with design and engineering to deliver differentiated, design‑led strollers with strong price/value and premium materials.
  • Serve as the internal expert on European parenting, stroller market dynamics, retail landscape (specialty, omni‑channel, D2C), and relevant regulatory changes.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key European retailers, distributors, and marketplace partners to inform strategy, shape assortments, and secure support for the portfolio.
  • Lead and align cross‑functional teams (design, engineering, packaging, digital, sales, operations, demand planning) to execute the roadmap, maintain launch timing, and resolve trade‑offs.
  • Own go‑to‑market execution for stroller launches across Europe, including pricing strategy, margin guardrails, channel segmentation, assortment architecture, and sell‑in materials.
  • Represent the stroller category as the European expert in key retailer meetings, trade shows, and strategic presentations.
  • Monitor in‑market performance and consumer feedback to drive SKU rationalization, lifecycle management, product refreshes, and add/drop recommendations to retail partners.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • 7+ years in product, category, or brand management—ideally in juvenile products (strollers preferred), consumer durables, or premium lifestyle brands.
  • Proven experience launching premium products in Europe.
  • Strong understanding of European design and consumer expectations.
  • General knowledge of manufacturing materials, product development processes, and costs.
  • Familiarity with online and brick & mortar retail in Europe.
  • Strong commercial acumen and P&L ownership mindset.
  • Deep appreciation for design, brand, and user experience.
  • Experience working in global supply chains (Asia manufacturing preferred).
  • Highly collaborative; able to lead cross‑functional teams.
  • Must be fluent in English.

EDUCATION & SKILLS

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Able to execute and excel in a fast‑paced environment.
  • Strong prioritization skills amid shifting priorities.
  • Outstanding oral and presentation communication skills.

COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
  • Familiarity with category and retailer data tools (e.g., Circana, Profitero, Scintilla) and POS/shopper data analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or listen. The team members frequently are required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The team members are occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell. The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General office environment with regular domestic and international travel (approx. 15%).

BENEFITS

We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and generous benefits.

Sr. Category & Product Manager - UK employer: Kids II Inc.

At Kids2, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, particularly for our Sr. Category & Product Manager role in the UK. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on innovation and design excellence, providing opportunities to lead cross-functional teams and shape the future of premium strollers in Europe. With competitive pay, flexible hours, and a supportive environment, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families across the continent.

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Contact Details:

Kids II Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sr. Category & Product Manager - UK

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and well-prepared.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role in a concise and engaging way. Highlight your relevant experience and how it ties into their needs, especially around product management and consumer insights.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest can keep you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to mention anything you forgot to say during the interview.

We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Category & Product Manager - UK

P&L Management
Product Roadmap Development
Consumer Insights Analysis
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Go-to-Market Strategy
Retail Relationship Management
Market Performance Monitoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Design:When writing your application, let your love for design and consumer insight shine through. We want to see how you can bring a unique perspective to the stroller category, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your understanding of European design and consumer expectations.

Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to detail your experience in product or category management, especially if it relates to juvenile products or premium brands. We’re looking for concrete examples of how you've successfully launched products in Europe, so don’t hold back on the specifics!

Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit:This role is all about teamwork, so emphasise your ability to lead cross-functional teams. Share stories that demonstrate how you've worked with design, engineering, and sales teams to achieve common goals. We love a good team player!

Tailor Your Application to Us:Take the time to tailor your application specifically for StudySmarter. Research our values and mission, and reflect that in your writing. We encourage you to apply through our website, where you can showcase your personality and fit for the role!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kids II Inc.

Know Your Market

Before the interview, dive deep into the stroller market in Europe. Familiarise yourself with key competitors like Bugaboo and Cybex, and understand their product offerings. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can differentiate the product line and align it with European consumer expectations.

Showcase Your P&L Acumen

Be prepared to discuss your experience with P&L management. Bring examples of how you've set forecasts, managed costs, and achieved margin goals in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to own the financial aspects of the stroller category effectively.

Highlight Cross-Functional Leadership

This role requires collaboration across various teams. Share specific instances where you've successfully led cross-functional projects, particularly in product launches. Emphasise your ability to resolve trade-offs and maintain launch timing, as this is crucial for the role.

Communicate Your Design Appreciation

Since the role focuses on creating design-led products, be ready to discuss your understanding of design principles and user experience. Bring examples of how you've integrated consumer insights into product development, showcasing your appreciation for aesthetics and functionality.