Please note that you can only apply for one of the opportunities with Microsoft, so please ensure you submit only one application.
Location: London and Reading (50% in office)
Role Overview
The Microsoft Consumer Sales Organisation team is looking for early career talent to contribute to an experienced Category team with a perspective and ideas that are uniquely yours.
The role will involve working across many stakeholders to implement the strategy delivered by the Corporate teams to the local market. To do this, you will need to build a strong rapport with the Sales and Marketing teams within the Consumer Sales Organisation to engage their support for the delivery of a joined-up plan.
This Category role would be within one of Microsoft’s 5 exciting product categories: Xbox, Surface, M465, PC Accessories, and Windows. The role will require you to build deeper relationships with key stakeholders to develop strategies and execute account plans to agreed KPIs and targets.
Internal relationship management is key; you will need to be able to communicate effectively at all levels across the organisation.
You will join a dynamic and fast-paced environment and work with cross-functional teams to design, build, and sustain solutions to support Microsoft’s growth ambitions. Come be part of a solution-oriented team that is influencing and contributing to Microsoft’s mission.
What is a Category Manager?
The Category Manager is the specialist product manager and represents Microsoft products as the expert both internally and externally to our UKI Managed Retail Partners. The Category Manager collaborates with key Regional and Corporate Stakeholders in order to:
- Accelerate growth above market conditions across the selected partner(s).
- Identify and develop new opportunities for Microsoft by leveraging partners' key consumer strengths.
- Manage and influence relationships, the majority of which are internal.
- Support the business as the expert in the product category, leveraging market knowledge to drive strategy and planning.
- Facilitate relationships internally to deliver the product successfully to the market, manage the product life cycle, and engage with the right audience.
What team will you be working in?
In the Consumer Sales Organisation (CSO), their purpose is to earn fans and drive growth by building emotional connections to delight and empower everyone. They engage with consumers globally throughout their shopping journeys, navigating both physical storefronts and digital visits across Direct and Partner Channels in Gaming, Windows, M365, and Surface. Together with their ecosystem partners, they strategise and implement plans for customer engagement and economic growth.
As a member of their team, 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 will also be part of a culture centred on embracing a growth mindset, 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 in the Consumer Sales Organisation.
What will you be doing as an apprentice?
- To start, you will shadow a Category Manager in the team, learning who they target, who they compete against, and how they convince consumers to purchase Microsoft hardware and software.
- You will learn how to create a strategic business plan for the category that includes a clear vision for the future, actionable objectives, aligned marketing investments, and measures of success. You will gain important business management skills so you can forecast the market and report on the business.
- You will learn how to interpret data, sales patterns, and trends, incorporating this knowledge into sales and marketing strategies, helping you position Microsoft products in the competitive ecosystem.
- To execute this plan, you will learn how to collaborate with a broad set of stakeholders across the consumer division at Microsoft, both local and global, including account managers, marketers, and industry partners.
- You will learn how Microsoft channel partners work, both online and in physical stores. You will understand their businesses, what motivates them, and how Microsoft can help them achieve their goals.
- You will become a Category product expert, learning how to best showcase all the product features, run demos, and turn your knowledge into relatable stories for your target audience to understand and get excited about.
Benefits
Microsoft can't accomplish its mission to empower everyone on the planet to achieve more unless its employees can do their best work. Its perks, benefits, and everything in between are essential to its success. Some small, some large, all necessary. Microsoft believes in taking care of its employees. As part of the apprenticeship programme, you'll enjoy:
- Access to wellbeing programmes
- Generous time off
- Educational resources
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Discounts on products and services
- Giving programmes
Being a Microsoft Apprentice:
As a Microsoft Apprentice, you will have the opportunity to start your career early, earn while you learn, and gain valuable experience. Microsoft believe in providing real responsibility from the outset, with an employment contract for the full duration of your apprenticeship. You will be an integral part of the team, contributing to meaningful projects and initiatives to drive impact.
What to Expect:
Support and Guidance: You will be fully supported by an apprentice buddy, your manager, and fellow team members. Microsoft managers are trained and ready to support you throughout your apprenticeship programme.
Learning and Development: You will spend time away from your job training and growing your knowledge, which you will then apply to your day-to-day role. You will complete work-based assignments and participate in modules aligned with your job responsibilities.
Community and Inclusion: You will be part of a vibrant and inclusive apprentice community. You will have opportunities to give back through Microsoft's community programmes and Employee Resource Groups.
Career Growth: At Microsoft, they are committed to your growth and development. You will have access to industry-leading innovation and resources to help you succeed in your role and beyond.
Join Microsoft and develop skills that will pave the way for a successful career – Apply now!
What’s important to Microsoft?
Microsoft strives to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. They do this by living their three values: Respect, Integrity, and Accountability. Microsoft channels these values into actions by creating innovation, championing the importance of diversity and inclusion, helping the UK tackle sustainability and inequality, and creating trustworthy computing.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, colour, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. Microsoft also considers qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
If you need assistance and/or reasonable adjustments due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, you will be given multiple opportunities to notify the GetMyFirstJob team during your application, and they will be happy to discuss suitable arrangements with you directly.