Manager, Global Hardlines & Digital Licensing

VIZ Media•San Francisco, CA

13d•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

VIZ Media, the world leader in English-language versions of manga and anime (Japanese comics and animation), is looking for a Manager of Global Hardlines & Digital Licensing to join our CPG Licensing & Promotions team. This position will manage hard line and digital accounts across the VIZ portfolio, including Toys/Collectibles, Novelty, Digital/Video Games, Games, Housewares, Sporting Goods, Consumer Electronics, F&B, and Publishing, either directly for domestic business or through agencies for international accounts. The Manager will craft and execute short and long-term hardlines strategy and manage P&L for these business lines. Additionally, the manager will prospect, pitch, and negotiate partner deals and renewals as well as identify category opportunities and provide day-to-day account support. This role also works closely with the Approvals/Brand Assurance team on merchandising plans and overseeing the product life cycle.

Requirements

5+ years of hardlines consumer products licensing experience, especially within digital and toys/collectibles
5+ years of experience in positions with a sales function
Strong network of hardlines industry companies and contacts
Experience managing P&L with ability to analyze data and interpret financial information
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High attention to detail and with comfort managing multiple projects and priorities at once.
Passion for building and maintaining client and other professional relationships.
Proficiency with Google Suite (Slides & Sheets), Microsoft Office (PowerPoint), Canva, and Keynote.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of pop culture, anime, and manga, especially VIZ properties - strongly preferred
Business-level Japanese language proficiency - nice to have, but not required
Knowledge of Asana and other project management software is a plus!

Responsibilities

Create Hardlines strategy that delivers against broader Consumer Products division strategy
Day-to-day partner management: provide/receive business & brand updates and offer partner support
Support and manage international agencies and licensees
Draft deal memos and collect prospective partner information for review and approval with licensors
Act as key liaison between licensees, agents, retailers, and brand partners, and VIZ internal departments (including but not limited to: Publishing, Marketing/Social, Legal, Finance, & Product Development)
Manage P&L responsibility including forecasting and tracking partner sales, revenue, and payments
Build franchise strategy decks, presentations, and sales tools
Support and build VIZ CP programs and marketing activations to elevate our retail presence
Identify white space and category expansion opportunities in the hardlines business
Lead negotiations for new and existing licensees, cobrands, retailers, promotions, and brands
Manage international agents, providing strategy guidance, relevant business/content updates, sales tools, and day-to-day support of business
Work closely with Brand Assurance/Approvals teams to ensure adherence to the product life cycle/timelines
Build relationships with our licensor partners, including participating in and creating business review decks
Collect, review, and approve partner line plans and ensure licensees stay within their production timelines
Create business update presentations monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc reports to licensors
Compile and review sell-in and sell-thru reports from partners for review and analysis
Maintain strong relationships and communications with licensors about brand and partner strategy and business development
Represent the CPG division at annual conventions, partner summits, trade shows, and client meetings