Manager, Product Design - Squishmallows

About the role

Join our team in Santa Fe Springs, CA, and help manage the designers that create iconic plush toys loved by millions around the world!

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal departments to ensure seamless development of each plush project.
• Review and comment on your team's product and design quality, actively transitioning into a leadership path.
• Collaborate with the VP of Product Design 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering or similar field required.
• 6 + years of end to end product design or other relevant experience with a focus in Plush Design or Character Driven products.
• 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.
• Able 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.
• Keen knowledge of trends in this design space.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering or similar field required.
• 6 + years of end to end product design or other relevant experience with a focus in Plush Design or Character Driven products.
• 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.
• Able 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.
• Keen knowledge of trends in this design space.

Skills

• Toy/Doll Design
• Project Management
• Leadership
• Product Development
• Global Manufacturing
• Consumer Insights
• Sustainable Design
• Eco-Friendly Materials
• Ethical Design
• Visual Communication
• Oral Presentation
• Attention to Details
• Organizational Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Trend Awareness

Benefits

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.

Pay

$112,440.00 - $139,440.00 / Yr.

Schedule

Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year.