At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere, and anyone. We work collaboratively to achieve our goals and we have fun doing it! Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with an award-winning, robust portfolio of wholly 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, Star Wars, CoComelon, Fortnite, AEW, Adopt Me!, Hello Kitty, and many more. In addition to toys, offerings also include Metaverse gaming, costumes, and products for pets. Headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries.

As the Associate Brand Manager in our core plush division, you will be responsible in assisting in the overall execution of product development and its associated activities, which are focused on achieving product development milestones and will assure that products are brought to market in a timely fashion. As a liaison within the company to freelance designers, global project managers, contract manufactures, and key international subsidiaries, you will ensure new product development efforts are focused, well-coordinated and obtain key development milestone timelines and profitability.

What you will do:

• Work collaboratively with product design, packaging design, marketing, licensing, and other internal team partners to create a product that is the best fit for the brand
• Assist and collaborate with Product Development Managers through all aspects of product development, from concept to market and ensure that concept phase and production phases align
• Utilize project management software for assigned projects
• Manage licensing portal submissions and work with the internal team to ensure timely brand compliance.
• Help coordinate design approvals with respective licensors and/or stake holders throughout the development process
• Consistently follow up with brand and cross-functional teams to communicate project status, updates, issues, and opportunities to the broader organization.
• Maintain communication with licensors and work with them throughout the product development process.
• Assist in evaluating the competitive landscape and industry trends to help drive strategic decisions around product development and customer execution.
• Analyze point-of-sale data by product line, SKU, and retailers to determine growth opportunities and new product segments.
• Provide consumer, category, and competitive insights and co-develop targeted retail exclusives plans.
• Assist in brand and product strategies including themes and positioning, for every product development season.
• Manage product line plans, with all item details, including item adds and deletes.
• Assist Business Director in identifying new trends, product concepts and development opportunities.
• Work with licensors to ensure brand integrity and development schedules are kept on track.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of brand decks and other sales materials.
• Ensure that all outsourced work is quoted in a timely fashion and approved prior to work performed.
• Help verify that potential expenditures are in line with the proposed development budget of the item and negotiate competitive pricing with vendors and external partners.
• Request and document 3D model costs, product unit costs and tooling costs as received from global Product Managers and suppliers.
• Ensure item master is accurate and updated on an ongoing basis (costing, factory info, product dimensions, etc...)
• Assist in Interfacing with key vendors/suppliers and product managers, to ensure a smooth business process
• Work with Brand Management and Design Teams to coordinate the timely creation and placement of development, photography, and presentation models/samples
• Verify necessary changes are communicated to the responsible party and executed, elevating concerns to the Product Manager, Sr Director of Product Development, SVP of Product Development and Brand Team lead
• Liaise with Brand Managers to build licensor relationships and coordinate design approvals with respective licensors and/or stake holders throughout the development process by collaborating throughout development to achieve design and performance requirements while advising on costing, manufacturing, and scheduling parameters
• Collaborate with Sales to plan and execute effective presentations
• Stay up to date with compliance/ style guides/ approvals through internal systems and external communication.
• Work closely with the Director of Consumer Products on all projects and show proficient follow-through.
• Provide timely feedback to the creative and design teams to assist in current product line innovations
• Gather domestic and international field input on new and existing products
• Solicit and incorporate sales input into the development of new products
• Participate in key account calls, as needed
• Track and analyze sales and profitability of new and existing products
• Work with Sales and Contract Manufacturing to proactively manage inventory (excess, backorders, etc.)
• Act as a trainer and mentor for jr staff
• Perform other duties as assigned

Manages People: No

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree industry relevant field required
• 3+ years of product development, product management, brand development, project management experience
• 3+ years of experience in a consumer products industry
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
• Knowledge of digital rights management systems
• Knowledge of adobe creative suites
• Experience in the toy/baby/pet/costume industry
• Experience in a global organization

What we offer:

Salary range for this position: $70,000 - $80,000 /Yr. Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, peer and market data, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. The successful candidate may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award. Jazwares offers a full spectrum of benefits, including Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Insurance, Disability and Other Insurance Plans, Paid Time Off (including Sick Leave, Parental Leave and Vacation), Holidays, 401(k), and Short/Long Term Disability, in addition to other special perks reserved for our employees.

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.

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Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors

Experience

Required 2 years

Experience in the toy/baby/pet/costume industry

Knowledge of digital rights management systems

proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite

experience in a consumer products industry

product development, product management, brand development, project management