Manager, Merchandising

About the role

This role executes the daily implementation of the product strategy for Premium Toys, Glow and Bubbles, delivering consumer-centric, trend-right, high-quality product assortments across all owned and operated channels.

Responsibilities

• Executes the daily implementation of the product strategy for Premium Toys, Glow and Bubbles
• Consumer obsessed, constantly balancing the art and the science of merchandising to find opportunities, elevate brand and delight our consumer
• Develop targeted strategies for the Kidult consumer segment — adults 18+ purchasing product for personal use, nostalgia-driven collecting, or display — including premium price tier development, limited edition and collectible mechanics
• Relentlessly monitor the global competitive landscape and consumer zeitgeist to capture opportunity
• Champions products developed in collaboration with the design teams to capitalize on trends, anticipate consumer demand and drive product innovation in category
• Develop product strategies that define play pattern intent — articulating how the consumer will interact with and derive ongoing value from the product — and establish deliberate packaging intent across formats
• Consolidates the product needs from all regions and channels to develop one product brief to design ensuring needs of all businesses are met
• Establish perspective on what’s working and why to consistently improve product line
• Partners with Product Design and Sourcing to deliver seasonal product lines for vertical and wholesale business models that meet KPI business objectives including sustainability goals
• Lead merchant-initiated product development independent of the formal Product Design structure— authoring product briefs, identifying category gaps, and driving concept through commercialization in direct partnership with sourcing and manufacturing vendors
• Execute against opportunities to leverage products, co-brands and collaborations globally
• Track development counts and KPIs targets

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in Hardlines Merchandising
• Demonstrated hands-on Hardlines merchandising and product development experience across 3D categories, including familiarity with the distinct manufacturing, regulatory and quality control requirements
• Experience in building an omni-channel product line for a category or categories of business
• Experience working in highly matrixed and/or global product companies a plus
• Demonstrated ability to capitalize on market trends and consumer zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle
• Demonstrated understanding of the Kidult consumer segment, with experience developing product or assortment strategies that balance traditional child-focused play value alongside premium, nostalgia-driven, and display-oriented product strategies that resonate with adult collectors
• Strategic thinker with the ability to drive execution against a financial plan
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external partners and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market
• Strong Team Player – The ability to build & foster collaborative partnerships across functions & departments