Senior Manager, Brand - Trends

Jazwares Careers • Culver City, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Brand Manager acts as a brand champion and is responsible for managing product development at the crossroads of sports, pop culture, and fandom. This role oversees line execution across both plush and plastic products—including action figures—ensuring milestones are met and high-quality lines are brought to market for fans who love the game on and off the field.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred
• 5+ years of product development, brand management, or licensing experience in consumer products or toys
• Experience with plush, plastic products, and/or action figures strongly preferred
• 3+ years of demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong understanding of sports, pop culture trends, and fan-driven consumer products
• Solid knowledge of product development lifecycle, manufacturing processes, and licensor approval workflows
• Advanced analytical skills with experience analyzing sales data, retail exclusives, and competitive landscapes
• High proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of digital rights management (DRM) systems
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills across all levels of an organization
• Proactive, critical thinker capable of managing shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• 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
• Understand and identify retailer-specific channel strategies to create diverse product lines that satisfy the evolving needs of all global markets and retail channels
• 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.
• Evaluate the competitive landscape and industry trends to help drive strategic decisions around product development and customer execution
• Analyze and evaluate sales data, understand the competition, and current industry trends to aid in product line architecture and development and identify 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
• Ensure brand integrity and development schedules are kept on track
• 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
• Interface with key vendors/suppliers and product managers, to ensure a smooth business process
• Verify necessary changes are communicated to the responsible party and executed, elevating concerns to the Product Development and Brand Leadership.
• 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 cross functional teams 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
• Lead and 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.)
• Lead team to achieve results and ensure best in class products and brand integrity
• 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: Senior