Manager, Product Design - Squishmallows

Join a global toy company known for Squishmallows and a growing lineup of beloved brands. This hybrid role in Santa Fe Springs, CA offers a competitive salary of USD 112,440 to 139,440 per year, plus a benefits package and a culture that values collaboration, learning, and creative leadership. You will lead the Squishmallows design team from concept through development, mentor designers, manage budgets and timelines, and drive cross functional collaboration to keep the brand ahead of trends.

Benefits

• Basic medical insurance 100% paid by Jazwares for employees and their children
• Life insurance and accidental death and disbursement coverage
• 401(k) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of deferrals
• Short term and long term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work schedule on site Monday through Thursday with optional work from home on Fridays
• Up to 20 fully remote days per year
• Paid time off for vacation and sick leave
• Volunteer hours through Jazwares Cares up to 16 hours per year

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth development of each plush project
• Provide design quality feedback to the team and progressively take on leadership responsibilities
• Partner with the VP of Product Design on innovation efforts to push creative boundaries
• Stay ahead of industry trends and weave new ideas into plush product designs
• Oversee the daily workload of product designers and external vendors, building strong relationships to meet quality and schedule targets
• Direct the product design process from concept through development
• Advocate sustainable design practices, eco-friendly materials, and ethical considerations
• Incorporate consumer insights and feedback directly into design decisions
• Champion strong design while managing costs and QA/QC requirements with minimal supervision
• Maintain complete Product Documentation Sheets for US and Asia teams, ensuring alignment with competitive cost standards
• Review 3D sculpt turns and paint masters, delivering precise submissions and feedback
• Present product designs at internal gates such as Line Reviews and Model Reviews
• Maintain the Product Design Shape of the Line to evaluate the collection and prepare presentations
• Lead the team to support innovation and fresh creative ideas for the brand
• Communicate effectively with licensors, applying feedback to development while coordinating with Brand and USPD
• Develop visual materials and deliver compelling design presentations to licensors
• Manage design requests, milestones, approvals, and expectations with licensors, offering proactive communication solutions
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and creativity within the design team
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications and schedules
• Coordinate with the packaging design team to ensure product and packaging alignment
• Mentor junior designers and develop their abilities
• Ensure cross functional departments stay aligned toward shared goals through effective communication
• Monitor the Product Design Budget and negotiate vendor costs to stay within bounds
• Oversee day to day responsibilities of a mid size design team
• Manage talent for direct reports, including guidance, mentorship, feedback, performance evaluations, and HR collaboration on disciplinary actions when needed
• Foster a positive team environment through collaboration, communication, and accountability

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering, or a related field
• 6+ years of end-to-end product design experience with a focus on plush or character-driven products
• 5+ years working with global manufacturing factories, with Asia experience preferred
• 4+ years of project management experience
• 1-2 years of leadership experience
• Compelling portfolio spanning a broad range of creative projects
• Proven expertise in control drawings and rendered concept illustrations
• Strong proficiency in 2D workflows using Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and related graphic software
• Experience with 3D design workflows including Blender, ZBrush, Fusion 360, KeyShot, and similar tools
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong problem solving and adaptability
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail and aesthetic sense
• Exceptional organizational and analytical abilities
• Flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly when direction changes
• High autonomy and resourcefulness
• Deep knowledge of trends in this design space

Technologies

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
• Blender
• ZBrush
• Fusion 360
• KeyShot

Working at Jazwares

• Passion: Deep engagement with products, teams, and community
• Collaboration: A shared global vision and ongoing innovation
• Humility: Respect for others and recognition of talent across the organization

Reasonable Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Recruitment Safety

Official Jazwares employment information comes from our company email domain ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request monetary payments during the hiring process. If you have questions about unsolicited communications, contact [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Jazwares provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment and related services.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a diverse portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Since 1997, Jazwares has focused on transforming imaginative play into high quality products and experiences for consumers of all ages, with notable brands such as Squishmallows, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Disney, and BumBum.