Regional Category & Marketing Planning Specialist

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson and Harman Kardon
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience

About the Role

As a Category & Marketing Planning Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting the North America Category & Marketing Planning team as we bring new products to market and drive growth across HARMAN's Lifestyle Consumer Audio portfolio. Working across categories including headphones, portable speakers, home audio, and more, you will help execute regional category strategies, new product launches, and marketing initiatives that strengthen the position of HARMAN's leading brands.

The Specialist will serve as a central resource across the Category & Marketing Planning team, helping maintain critical business processes through product information management, planning tools, reporting, and cross-category operational support. In addition, the role will partner closely with one designated product category lead, gaining hands-on experience in product roadmap planning, portfolio management, commercialization, and collaboration with global Business Unit teams.

From supporting new product introductions and launch readiness activities to managing key planning tools, and business processes, you will help transform product strategy into execution.

What You Will Do

• Partner closely with Marketing peers, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, Business Units and external agencies to support new product launch planning, commercialization activities, and go-to-market execution.
• Analyze product, category and market performance data to generate insights that support business planning, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Serve as a key liaison to the North America Sales organization for all product marketing needs, ensuring product assets, documentation and pricing information are accurate, current, and readily available to support sell-in and sell-through efforts.
• Manage product sample inventory, ordering, allocation, and distribution to support launch activities such as media reviews, customer presentations, events, and internal stakeholder needs.
• Lead consumer review programs for new products through third-party review platforms to generate early advocacy.
• Manage personalized product orders for marketing programs and support setup of these unique products for sale through JBL.com.
• Review product and lifestyle marketing assets, including copy, imagery, video, and digital content, to ensure accurate, compelling, and consumer-centric communication of product features and benefits.
• Support product marketing budget management through expense tracking, forecasting, purchase order processing, and reporting.
• Address ad hoc packaging reviews and compliance initiatives for sale of products in North America.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or business-related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of marketing or agency experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to drive projects and tasks to completion with a high level of quality, anticipating needs, resolving gaps, and addressing follow-up requirements proactively.
• Ability to collaborate efficiently across teams and with senior management.
• Effective communicator (oral and written) and creative thinker, with an ability to use both data, input, and intuition to inform decisions.
• Highly resourceful and solution-oriented with the ability to proactively seek out answers, utilize available data, and leverage team resources to overcome roadblocks.
• Openness to new ideas and the desire to continuously learn and develop new skills.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Creative thinker, capable and comfortable with generating innovative ideas. Proven ability to create unique and compelling positioning and messaging.
• Passion for consumer electronics, product innovation, and marketing, with a strong curiosity to learn and contribute to the continued growth of one of the most recognized brands in audio – JBL.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willing to travel up to 10%, as necessary domestically.
• Ability to work in the Northridge, CA office three days a week.
• An understanding that flexibility in working hours may be required due to the nature of our global infrastructure.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What We Offer

• Competitive wellness benefits and 401K Retirement Savings plan.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities.
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies and extensive course catalog.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN products (JBL, Harman/Kardon, etc.).
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.

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Pay Transparency

$ 84,750 - $ 124,300

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology 

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.  

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other. 

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on jobsearch.harman.com.

You Belong Here 

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.  

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.() 

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at  View email address on jobsearch.harman.com . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.