Manager, Product Design - Pokemon Plastics

We are looking for a talented and experienced Manager, Product Design, to lead our Pokémon Plastics design team. This role will be pivotal in shaping the future of one of the world's most popular brands. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product design, particularly in hard goods, with a passion for innovation and creative storytelling. This role will oversee a team of designers and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, licensing, and production, to bring new products to life.

What you will do:

• Manage projects through the entire design, development, and QC/QA processes; being conscientious of cost, quality, and schedule
• Manage external vendor partnerships   
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications
• Work collaboratively with your branding, product management, engineering, packaging, licensing, and other internal and external team partners to create an innovative product 
• Generate new toy concepts to enhance the brand
• Responsible for completing, reviewing, submitting, and providing comments for Illustrative turns, 3D sculpts, paint masters, and sample reviews.                                                                                                                   
• Support the overall strategic goals of the product within a brand, providing direction and feedback during the development process that is attentive to licensor and internal brand needs                                                          
• Successfully evolve from concept through initial ideation, refinement, prototype executio,n and turn over packages to development teams                                                                                                      
• Champion great design in our products and help assure they are within target cost and QA/QC requirements with very little supervision.
• Collaborate closely and provide continuous feedback to internal cross-functional departments during all phases of development                                                                                                   
• Develop product documentation and specifications sheets to send to the Asia team for development      
• Provide support to the Senior Product Design Manager and senior leadership                      
• Prepare and lead meetings, track minutes, and manage action items for the team                                                      
• Act as a trainer, mentor, and coach for jr staff members
• Manage project assignments and resource allocation
• Participate in all stages of the employee life cycle   

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Manages People: Yes
• This position provides work direction to others and assigns and evaluates work.

What we are looking for: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering, or an industry-relevant field preferred. A combination of education and experience is applicable. 
• 5 - 8 years of product design experience, preferably within collectibles, hard goods toy product development. 
• 5 - 8 years of experience working with global manufacturing factories (Asia preferred). 
• 1-3 years of direct leadership experience.
• Strong portfolio showcasing a range of product designs, with a focus on plush or soft goods.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle a large volume of SKUs.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) and other graphic design software.
• Expertise in managing multiple form factors, including collector figures, plush toys, and action figures.
• Passionate about anime, with a deep understanding of various anime titles and cultural nuances.
• Exceptional art direction and design management skills, with a focus on high-quality, collector-level products.
• Excellent people and partner management abilities, fostering strong relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Office
• Extreme Exposures: None
• Schedule: Regular office; may require occasional calls with Asia counterparts outside of regular hours
• Physical Requirements:
  • Light: Lifting up to 25 lbs
  • Must be able to sit at a desk for extended periods of time
• National Travel Required: Yes - Limited
• Local Commute: This role will commute to our Cerritos Warehouse 2 times a week. 

What we offer:

At Jazwares, we believe in providing our employees with comprehensive and competitive benefits that support their well-being and overall satisfaction.

The salary range for this position is $110,000.00 - 120,000.00. Base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, 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.

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™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and Adopt Me™. In addition to toys, offerings include virtual games, costumes, and pet products. 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