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At Microsoft our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. In **Consumer Channel Sales (CCS)** our purpose is to create value with our partners, to market and sell innovative consumer solutions powered by Windows, Office, and Surface. We’re positioned right at the intersection of customers, hardware partners, and channel partners.

Our team works with ecosystem partners and internal business groups to drive digital excellence and e-commerce capability, as well as accelerate cloud and subscription adoption. Together, we win by delivering compelling at-home and on-the-go experiences combining intelligent edge devices and services that create Microsoft fans for life.

As our **Surface Category Manager, Consumer Channel Sales (CCS),** 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 CCS.

We are looking for a Surface Category Manager who is detail-oriented, enjoys making data-driven decisions, and thrives in a collaborative environment. This individual will be responsible for developing our Surface business in the direct channel across the US and Canada, building compelling assortments, driving category execution, and maintaining SKU-level forecasts to enable the business to achieve revenue and gross margin targets.

In our team, we value and support the authenticity of each individual, encouraging you to bring your true self to work. We prioritize career development, ensuring it remains a consistent focus, and we celebrate your achievements, recognizing the hard work you put into your accomplishments. We are committed to helping you gain new experiences and build upon your strengths, while also providing coaching to work on areas that need improvement. This holistic approach to personal and professional development is designed to foster a supportive and growth-oriented work environment.

In Surface, our business goal is clear: Profitably Grow Surface Volume & Share. We accomplish this goal in two ways:

+ **Selling** **TO our retail partners** : Use consumer insights, market data, store level analysis, and device 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/ GM.

+ **Selling THRU our retail partners** : Plan and execute thoughtful and impactful promotions and full-funnel-marketing plans, focused on driving purchase intent, conversion & post purchase advocacy & consumer lifetime value for Surface devices & accessories.

Responsibilities

+ **Assortment Management** : Oversee the entire product lifecycle for each SKU, from inception to discontinuation. Implement the strategy set by the Surface Category Lead, which encompasses digital optimization efforts such as enhancing online visibility and ensuring accurate product details.

+ **Price & Promotion Management:** Maintain the category promotional calendar and setup all promotions and temporary price reductions. Stay informed on market pricing to maintain competitive pricing.

+ **Data Analysis** : Perform competitive analysis and trend research to support the Category Lead in making informed, data-driven decisions regarding assortment and pricing. Keep abreast of technology trends by monitoring relevant blogs, ensuring we remain at the forefront of product developments and industry trends.

+ **Demand Planning** : Develop and manage the forecast for Surface products, integrating key business drivers (e.g., forecast, budget) into the planning process. Analyze data to discern trends, patterns, and correlations that can enhance forecasting models and accuracy.

+ **Collaboration** : Engage in weekly stakeholder discussions and assist in organizing both internal and external meetings. Work closely with all stakeholders to compile item setup files and promotional details.

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.

+ Understanding of consumer sales channels: Knowledge of various retail formats and online sales platforms.

Additional or 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.

+ Ability to influence: Skilled in persuasively engaging with stakeholders at all levels.

+ Proven determination: Resilient and persistent in achieving business objectives.

+ Work ethic: Commitment to delivering high-quality work.

+ Attention to detail: Vigilant in ensuring accuracy and excellence.

+ Interpersonal skills: Effective at building and maintaining relationships.

+ Passion for product: Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the product line.

+ Intellectual curiosity: Eager to explore and understand complex concepts.

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.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 3, 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) .