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 is a global leader in consumer products including toys, plush, action figures, collectibles and musical instruments. Jazwares’ portfolio includes a variety of dynamic, wholly-owned and licensed brands like preschool powerhouses Blippi, Cabbage Patch Kids®, CoComelon and Peppa Pig, unstoppable action and gaming brands like Fortnite, Halo®, Micro Machines, Nerf, Pokémon and Roblox, leading lifestyle and entertainment brands like All Elite Wrestling™ (AEW), BLACKPINK, Blinger®, UFC, musical property First Act™, and beloved plush Hug-A-Pet and Squishmallows®, just to name a few. With over 20 years of design, development and manufacturing expertise, Jazwares is an award-winning company with a progressive focus on identifying new trends and transforming them into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares, which is headquartered in Sunrise, FL, has offices around the world and sells in over 100 countries. Since its inception in 1997, Jazwares continues to grow through the development of new products and the strategic acquisitions of companies like First Act™, Russ Berrie™, Zag Toys™, Wicked Cool Toys™ and Kellytoy®.
As the Product Design Manager, you will be a critical team member that will oversee the successful design and development of assigned plush product ranges through the plush design team. You will oversee plush designers and senior designers on the team helping to manage and review their work. You will also attend sample review meetings and head up the design sample team to review prototype plush samples and oversee that the notes and corrections are accurate. Additionally, you will help to brainstorm new design ideas to largely be executed by the designers on staff.
What you will doP:
- Prioritize and oversee the plush design team’s work schedule as well as help to assign their
projects - Review Designer’s vector designs with Illustrative turns and check that the Pantone colors
are well selected - Work closely with Product Development to oversee plush sample reviews from the design
side to check construction, color, size, proportion, fabrics, and other details - After sample review meetings, oversee that the sample review design notes taken by
another team member and revision overlays from designers, if needed, are correct - Work closely with top level design management on all steps of the plush line process from
concept up to final pre-production sample approval - Occasionally work on new design concepts or to improve and modify a designer’s vector
designs created in Adobe Illustrator - Work collaboratively with your branding, product development, packaging, licensing, and
other internal and external team partners to help create product that is innovative - Support the overall strategic goals within a brand providing direction and feedback during
the development process that is attentive to brand needs - Provide support to the senior product design manager and senior leadership
- Act as a trainer, mentor and coach for design staff members
- Participate in all stages of the product life cycle
What we are looking for:
- Bachelor’s Degree in toy design, illustration, or industry relevant field
- 5+ years of plush product design
- 3+ years of experience working with global manufacturing factories (Asia preferred)
- 2+ years of leadership experience
- Compelling portfolio of work over a wide range of creative projects
- Strong experience in the plush toy industry
- Strong experience with Kawaii style design a plus
- Knowledge of SmartSheets software a plus
- Exhibit interest and proactively gain knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as
an understanding the competitive marketplace - Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
- Expertise in control drawings and rendered illustration of concepts using Illustrator and hand
drawing - Strong proficiency in adobe creative suite (Mainly Illustrator, Photoshop)
- Able to work cross functionally and reciprocally with multiple departments
Salary range for this position: $100,880.00 – $120,000.00 /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.