Senior Manager, Brand - Trends

Jazwares

$112K — $139K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is a plus.
  • 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.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with product, packaging, and marketing teams to align product design with brand needs.
  • Drive daily line development for assigned brand(s), meeting key milestones and financial goals.
  • Identify retailer-specific strategies for product lines to address global market trends and needs.
  • Utilize project management software to track project progress for assigned responsibilities.
  • Coordinate design approvals with licensors and stakeholders throughout development phases.
  • Evaluate industry trends and competition to guide product development strategy and execution.
  • Analyze sales data to support product architecture and identify growth opportunities.

Benefits

  • 100% company-paid basic medical insurance for employees and their children.
  • 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of contributions.
  • Tuition reimbursement for continued education and skill development.
  • Flexible work schedule including onsite workdays with optional remote Fridays.
  • Eligibility for up to 20 workdays fully remote each year.
  • Opportunity for 16 hours of community service volunteering annually.
Full Job Description
As the Senior Brand Manager, you will lead end-to-end product execution for a high-growth portfolio of trend-driven brands. Manage plush and plastic lines from concept to shelf, bringing emerging pop culture and entertainment trends to market at global retail.

What You Will Do:
  • 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

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes

What We Are Looking For:
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field pis a plus.
  • 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

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $112,440.00 - $139,440.00/ Yr. The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.

Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.

Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave. Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects.

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