Manager, Product Design - Trends

As the Manager, Product Design - Trends, you will lead a creative team to steer innovative, trend-forward toy lines from concept to final production. You will oversee multiple design projects, ensuring they align with brand strategy, aesthetic excellence, and functional play standards while keeping consumer insights, market research, and design trends at the forefront. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in product development, marketing, and global manufacturing, you will deliver market-leading consumer products. Beyond directing design execution, you will mentor design talent, manage budgets and timelines, and champion great design.

What You Will Do

• Partner with internal departments to ensure seamless development of each toy project.

• Review and comment on your team's product and design quality, actively transitioning into a leadership path.

• Collaborate with the Product Design Director on innovation efforts, driving creative boundaries to stay competitive.

• Stay ahead of industry trends and innovations, seamlessly incorporating them into doll product designs.

• Manage the development and daily workloads of product designers and external vendors, fostering strong relationships to ensure quality and timeline delivery.

• Direct product design and guide the process from initial concept through design development.

• Promote an awareness of sustainable design practices, eco-friendly materials, and ethical design considerations.

• Understand and incorporate consumer insights and feedback directly into the design process.

• Champion great design while ensuring products meet target costs and QA/QC requirements with minimal supervision.

• Ensure precise and complete Product Documentation Sheets (PDS) for development teams in the US and Asia, checking that designs align with competitive cost standards.

• Review 3D sculpt turns and paintmasters, preparing precise submissions and comments.

• Present product designs in all internal gates, including Line Reviews and Model Reviews.

• Maintain a Product Design Shape of the Line to evaluate the collection and prepare for all presentation needs.

• Lead the team to support innovation and fresh creative ideas for the brand.

• Communicate effectively with Licensors, applying comments to product development while working closely with Brand and USPD.

• Develop visual materials and deliver compelling design presentations to Licensors.

• Build and foster positive relationships with Licensor Creative Counterparts, acting as a brand ambassador to establish best-in-class partnerships.

• Manage design-focused requests, key milestones, approval dates, and general expectations with Licensors, providing proactive solutions to communication challenges.

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and creativity within the design team.

• Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications, maintaining a strong understanding of schedules to keep deliverables on track and on time.

• Communicate with the packaging design team to assure product and packaging are perfectly aligned.

• Mentor and develop junior designers' abilities.

• Ensure all cross-functional departments are aligned and working towards a common goal through effective communication.

• Monitor the Product Design Budget, negotiating costs with vendors to adhere to budget constraints.

Manages People: Yes

Supervisor & Leadership Responsibilities

• Oversees the day to day responsibilities of a medium team
• Responsible for the talent management of direct reports including providing guidance, mentorship, feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and collaborating with human resources on any disciplinary action required
• Fosters a positive team environment by promoting collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• Mentor and Develop Junior Designer abilities

What We Are Looking For: 

• Bachelor's degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering or similar field is a plus. 
• 6 + years of end to end product design experience in the toy industry, with a proven track record across both hard goods (action figures, plastics, playsets) and soft goods (plush, textiles).
• 5 + years experience working with global manufacturing factories, Asia preferred.
• 4 + years of project management experience.
• 1-2 years of leadership experience.
• Compelling portfolio of work over a wide range of creative projects.
• Proven expertise in control drawings and rendered illustration of concepts.
• Highly Proficient in 2D workflows including: Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign), and other graphic design software.
• Knowledgeable in 3D design workflows including: Blender/Zbrush/Fusion360, Keyshot, and other 3D design software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with specific knack from problem solving and adaptability to change.
• Excellent written and visual communication skills. Great oral presentation skills.
• Great attention to details and skilled aesthetics.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Must be nimble & flexible and have the ability to pivot quickly when direction changes.
• High level of autonomy and resourcefulness.
• Keen knowledge of trends in this design space.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What we offer

The salary range for this position is $112,440.00 $139,440.00 / Yr. The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.  

Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.   

Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave.  Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects. 

Reasonable Accommodations   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let's shape the future of play together! 

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Five Nights at Freddy’s™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and BLDR™. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety 

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to [email protected]. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!