Lead Toy Designer - Pokémon Plastics
About the role
You will drive the creative development of Pokémon plastic products from concept to production, ensuring alignment with market trends, safety standards, and brand vision. You will collaborate with product development, branding, and engineering teams, and mentor junior designers.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and development of consumer products across, ensuring brand alignment and market relevance.
- Act as the primary liaison with licensors, managing approvals and maintaining strong relationships.
- Generate and refine product concepts through sketches, 2D/3D renderings, and prototypes.
- Oversee product development, ensuring quality, cost efficiency, and timely execution.
- Provide clear and precise turnover specifications for international teams and factories.
- Collaborate with branding, engineering, packaging, and marketing teams for cohesive product execution.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, materials, and manufacturing innovations in both plush and plastics.
- Present concepts and product updates to internal teams, licensors, and stakeholders.
- Mentor and guide junior designers on the Hello Kitty brand and other Girls’ team plush brands, fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.
- Manage project timelines and ensure all deadlines and milestones are met.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, or a related field is a plus.
- 7+ years of experience in toy design, product development, or industrial design, with expertise in plastic toys.
- Experience with 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering (Rhino, ZBrush, or SolidWorks is a plus).
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and working with Asia-based factories.
- Strong ability to problem-solve, manage multiple projects, and adapt to shifting priorities.
- Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Expertise in control drawings, rendered illustrations, and technical specifications.
- Strong leadership, team mentorship, and project management abilities.
- Passion for character-driven product design and for the brand.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in toy design, product development, or industrial design.
- Experience with 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering.
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and working with Asia-based factories.
- Strong problem-solving, project management, and adaptability skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Expertise in control drawings, rendered illustrations, and technical specifications.
- Leadership and mentoring abilities.
- Passion for character-driven product design and the brand.
Skills
- Product design
- User research
- Industry trends
- Material knowledge
- Sketching
- 3D modeling
- Sculpting
- Rendering
- Prototyping
- Project management
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
Benefits
- Medical insurance (100% company-paid)
- Employee basic life and AD&D insurance
- 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals
- Short and long-term disability
- Tuition reimbursement
Pay
$98,640.00 - $121,320.00 / Yr.
Schedule
Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year.
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.
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