Associate Product Designer - Pokémon Plastics

Jazwares, LLC • Culver City, CA

16h • $66,480 - $79,740 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Product Designer – Pokémon Plastics plays a key role in designing and developing innovative, high-quality plastic toys, action figures, and playsets for major licensed properties—specifically taking the lead on Pokémon plastic product initiatives. Combining creative ideation, a deep appreciation for the Pokémon universe, and technical hard-goods problem-solving, you will turn fan-favorite Pokémon, Trainers, and battle environments into compelling physical toys that resonate with collectors and kids alike.

Requirements

• 0–3 years of experience in product design, hard goods/plastic toy development, or action figure design.
• 0–3 years of experience collaborating with overseas manufacturing partners (Asia preferred).
• Genuine passion for the Pokémon universe, characters, region lore, and aesthetics, with a strong pulse on what the collector and kid communities look for in plastic figures and playsets.
• Exhibit interest and knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as an understanding the competitive marketplace in the toy industry
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
• Strong proficiency in adobe creative suite (illustrator, photoshop, and InDesign)
• Able to work cross functionally and reciprocally with multiple departments
• Able to work independently or collaboratively
• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes
• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Demonstrates a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time, while also demonstrating vigilance in keeping projects moving forward and hitting deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail
• Lifelong Learner
• Adaptable
• Effective problem solver and critical thinker; proactive in resolving issues
• Ability to deal effectively with diverse individuals at all organizational levels in a professional manner

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering, or industry relevant field is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Instrumental in generating new toy concepts to enhance new and/or existing brands
• Champion great design in our high-quality products and help assure they are within target cost and QA/QC requirements
• Builds consensus between members throughout the design process
• Work collaboratively with your branding, product management, engineering, packaging, licensor, and other internal team partners to create product that is the best fit for the brand
• Attend Brand and licensing meeting and brainstorming to obtain enough information for product design
• Successfully present and communicate concepts to the brand, development, management, and licensor teams
• Ensure delivery of precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications and ensure they fully understood by the international team/factory
• Support the overall strategic goals of product, provide direction and feedback during the development process that is attentive to Licensor and for brand assurance
• Responsible for completing, reviewing, documenting specification changes, submitting for licensor approval, and providing comments for illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and sample reviews
• Work closely with brand/management teams to resolve development issues, while assuring designs meet the target cost, schedule, and brand standards
• Participate in the entire life cycle of project development from a concept through initial ideation, refinement, prototype execution and turn over packages to development teams
• Communicate with packaging design team to assure product and packaging are aligned

Benefits

• basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children
• employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals
• short and long-term disability
• tuition reimbursement
• flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays
• up to 20 workdays fully remote each year
• Time Off for vacation and sick leave
• opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree