Manager, Brand - SquishPillow

Jazwares Careers • Plantation, FL

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Brand Manager, you will act as the brand champion for SquishPillow, the fastest-growing brand at Jazwares. You’ll lead the execution of product development, ensuring all milestones are met for timely market delivery. You will 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. You will drive day-to-day line development for assigned brand(s) and manage to key development milestones and financial objectives. You will analyze and evaluate sales data, understand the competition, and current industry trends to aid in product line architecture and development. You will conduct competitive and consumer analysis, understanding and applying toy trends and play patterns. You will understand and identify retailer-specific channel strategies to create diverse product lines that satisfy the evolving needs of all global markets and retail channels. You will lead a cross-functional team to ensure best in class products with brand integrity, maintaining consistency in product, packaging, sales, and marketing communication. You will utilize project management software for assigned projects. You will coordinate design approvals with respective licensors and/or stake holders throughout the development process. You will consistently follow up with brand and cross-functional teams to communicate project status, updates, issues, and opportunities to the broader organization. You will evaluate the competitive landscape and industry trends to help drive strategic decisions around product development and customer execution. You will analyze point-of-sale data by product line, SKU, and retailers to determine growth opportunities and new product segments. You will provide consumer, category, and competitive insights and co-develop targeted retail exclusives plans working closely with the Business Director in identifying new trends, product concepts and development opportunities. You will assist in brand and product strategies including themes and positioning, for every product development season. You will be the lead point of contact and communication with cross functional teams for assigned brands throughout the brand planning and product development phase. You will ensure brand integrity and development schedules are kept on track. You will collaborate in the creation and maintenance of brand decks and other sales materials. You will ensure that all outsourced work is quoted in a timely fashion and approved prior to work performed. You will 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. You will request and document 3D model costs, product unit costs and tooling costs as received from global Product Managers and suppliers. You will ensure item master is accurate and updated on an ongoing basis (costing, factory info, product dimensions, etc...). You will interface with key vendors/suppliers and product managers, to ensure a smooth business process. You will work with Brand Management and Design Teams to coordinate the timely creation and placement of development, photography, and presentation models/samples. You will 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. You will 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. You will collaborate with Sales to plan and execute effective presentations. You will stay up to date with compliance/ style guides/ approvals through internal systems and external communication. You will provide timely feedback to cross functional teams. You will gather domestic and international field input on new and existing products. You will solicit and incorporate sales input into the development of new products. You will participate in key account calls. You will track and analyze sales and profitability of new and existing products. You will work with Sales and Contract Manufacturing to proactively manage inventory (excess, backorders, etc.). You will act as a leader, trainer and mentor for jr staff. You will perform other duties as assigned. Manages People: Yes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree industry relevant field is a plus.
• 3-5 years of product development, product management, brand development, licensing, project management or relevant experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in the consumer products industry, with a demonstrated understanding of design aesthetics and evolving consumer preferences.
• 1+ year of leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite
• Knowledge of digital rights management systems
• Creative out of the box thinker that values innovation
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
• Able to work independently or collaboratively
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Articulate and eloquent speaking skills that can engage an audience
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time while simultaneously working on multiple projects/tasks and meeting deadlines
• Effective interpersonal skills, and able to build positive and productive working relationships
• Leadership skills; can train, mentor, coach, inspire, motivate and develop others
• Strong Analytical Skills with a deep understanding of tracking and measuring metrics
• Advanced presentation skills including the ability to develop and deliver informative and influential presentations
• Effective project management skills
• Effective problem solver and critical thinker; proactive in resolving issues
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced, and time-sensitive environment
• Ability to gain an in-depth knowledge about our brands and products
• Ability to deal effectively with diverse individuals at all organizational levels in a professional manner
• Knowledge of product development and manufacturing processes
• Strong ability to use independent judgment, analyze information, and formulate recommendations

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Bedding, Home is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as the brand champion for SquishPillow.
• Lead the execution of product development, ensuring all milestones are met for timely market delivery.
• 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.
• Drive day-to-day line development for assigned brand(s) and manage to key development milestones and financial objectives.
• Analyze and evaluate sales data, understand the competition, and current industry trends to aid in product line architecture and development.
• Conducts competitive and consumer analysis, understanding and applying toy trends and play patterns.
• Understand and identify retailer-specific channel strategies to create diverse product lines that satisfy the evolving needs of all global markets and retail channels.
• Lead a cross-functional team to ensure best in class products with brand integrity, maintaining consistency in product, packaging, sales, and marketing communication.
• Utilize project management software for assigned projects.
• 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.
• Evaluates 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 working closely with the Business Director in identifying new trends, product concepts and development opportunities.
• Assist in brand and product strategies including themes and positioning, for every product development season.
• Lead point of contact and communication with cross functional teams for assigned brands throughout the brand planning and product development phase.
• Ensures brand integrity and development schedules are kept on track.
• Collaborates 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...).
• Interface 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.
• Provide timely feedback to cross functional teams.
• 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.
• 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 leader, trainer and mentor for jr staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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
• 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: Manager