Lead Category & Portfolio Strategy

Position Summary:

Munchkin Inc. is seeking a Lead Category & Portfolio Strategy to lead enterprise-wide ownership of our product portfolio and innovation roadmap.

This role oversees a 300–500+ SKU portfolio and leads a team of Category Managers Directors and supporting team members. P&L accountability sits with Category Managers and Directors while supporting team members are responsible for key performance drivers and execution. The VP will define what we build why we build it and when it comes to market—ensuring all innovation is aligned to category strategy consumer insight and financial performance.

This is a highly strategic leadership role with significant cross-functional visibility partnering closely with Sales Brand Marketing the VP of eCommerce & Digital Growth and the Executive leadership team to align product strategy with commercial objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Portfolio & Roadmap Leadership

• Own the enterprise product portfolio strategy and multi-year roadmap
• Define category priorities investment allocation and launch sequencing
• Lead SKU rationalization efforts to simplify the portfolio and improve productivity
• Ensure all innovation aligns with clear strategic and financial objectives

Innovation Governance

• Evaluate approve and prioritize product concepts based on:
  • Strategic fit
  • Portfolio role
  • Financial return and margin expectations
• Establish and lead stage-gate processes to ensure disciplined decision-making
• Prevent low-value or duplicative product development

 Category Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of category owners will full P&L accountability
• Drive a shift toward performance-based category management
• Establish clear KPIs across revenue margin and portfolio productivity

 Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Sales the VP of eCommerce & Digital Growth and the C-suite to align category strategies with revenue and channel priorities
• Collaborate with Product Development to guide product direction and ensure alignment with portfolio strategy
• Work with Brand Marketing to ensure positioning and go-to-market plans support category objectives
• Partner with PMO to ensure initiatives are effectively planned and delivered on time
• Partner with Category Managers and Sales to support retail sell-in (strategy planograms pricing decks) with Category Managers owning product strategy presentation in line reviews

 Financial & Business Impact

• Drive margin expansion and profitable growth across categories
• Embed financial discipline into early-stage product decisions
• Improve return on innovation and overall portfolio performance

What You Bring

• 10+ years of experience in CPG category management or portfolio strategy with direct leadership of 8-10 category managers/directors
• Experience leading or managing a large-scale SKU portfolio (300+ SKUs)
• Proven success in SKU rationalization and portfolio optimization
• Strong track record of margin expansion and profitable growth
• Deep P&L ownership experience
• Experience operating in omni-channel environments (retail + digital)
• International experience is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence at the executive level

 Who You Are

• A strategic enterprise thinker with strong business acumen
• Decisive and comfortable making trade-offs and prioritization calls
• Financially rigorous and results-oriented
• Skilled at influencing and aligning senior stakeholders across functions
• Experienced in driving organizational change and operating model evolution

What We Do

WHY Brands Inc. a parent company of Munchkin and Curio Home Goods focuses on creating incubating and growing the next generation of consumer lifestyle brands. Founded in 1990 Munchkin is the leading consumer product company and most loved baby lifestyle brand behind the innovative gear and products for children mothers and caregivers. Munchkin has sold billions of dollars of products through our key retail partners: Target Walmart and Amazon and has global distribution in over 50 countries. Curio a premium brand of curated collections of home goods launched in 2023. WHY’s vision is to establish an expanding portfolio of innovative businesses that align with its commitment to inventive product design. With over 350+ patents under our belt we continue to create solutions that leave our customers asking "how did I ever live without this?" Recognized as #8 on America’s Most Innovative Companies list by Fortune Magazine innovation is the core of our company DNA and has been driving our designs for 30 years! We lead with our core values and believe that investing in the community is our responsibility. We create opportunities for every child’s potential and well-being through the Radiant Colors program work to create a sustainable future and in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare have committed to animal conservation. Not only were we honored by LA Business Journal as The Most Sustainable Company of 2022 we were also humbled to be honored on the 2023 Fast Company’s annual “Brands That Matter” list. We put our heart into everything we do from innovating new products to our packaging & brand design. We are honored to have our work recognized with over 250 international product and brand design awards.

Why Work With Us

We pour our hearts into simplifying life with big ideas for little (and big) hands. Munchkin believes we must consciously contribute to causes that protect our future. Becoming the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world is indeed a lofty company mission and we take it seriously. Read our 2024 Sustainability Report for more!

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