Manager, Product Design - Total Anime

As the Manager, Product Design you will oversee the development of our Total Anime (Crunchy Roll) product line. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver innovative, authentic toy products. Manage junior design staff and external vendors, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget. Ideal candidates will have experience with multi-form factor brands like collector figures, plush toys, and action figures, and a deep passion for anime. If you love anime and toys, come join Jazwares!

What you will do:

• Oversee the design, development, and QC/QA processes, ensuring adherence to cost, quality, and schedule requirements.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (branding, product management, engineering, packaging, licensing) and external vendor partners to create innovative products.
• Successfully evolve products from concept through initial ideation, refinement, prototype execution, and turnover packages to development teams.
• Utilize project management skills to handle a large volume of SKUs, ensuring all products meet deadlines and quality benchmarks.
• Generate new toy concepts to enhance the brand, including collector figures, plush toys, and action figures.
• Lead and manage the design and development process, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of all products.
• Champion great design in our products, ensuring they meet target cost and QA/QC requirements with minimal supervision.
• Work collaboratively with partners and licensors, ensuring all projects align with brand standards and timelines.
• Maintain strong relationships with external partners, licensors, and stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
• Develop product documentation and specification sheets to send to the Asia team for development.
• Support the overall strategic goals of the product within a brand, providing direction and feedback during the development process that aligns with licensor and internal brand needs.
• Manage and mentor a team of designers, fostering a creative and productive work environment.
• Immerse in the anime genre to ensure product designs are authentic and resonate with the target audience.

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 industry-relevant field preferred. A combinationof education and experience is applicable,
• 5 - 8 years of product design experience preferably within the anime or entertainment merchandise industry.
• 3 - 5 years of experience working with global manufacturing factories (Asia preferred).
• 1-3 years of direct leadership experience.
• Compelling portfolio of work over a wide range of creative projects.
• 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
• Travel Required: Yes - Limited

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 $115,000.00 - $120,000.00 /Yr. Actual base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for annual performance incentives may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, 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 a 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 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.
Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.
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.

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 based on 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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