Manager, Product Design - Squishmallows

As the Manager of Product Design for Squishmallows, you will lead a dynamic creative team to develop innovative toy lines for market-leading brands. This role requires an expert balance of creative vision and strategic leadership to translate consumer insights into compelling, collectible products. You will oversee the entire design process from initial ideation to final production, ensuring aesthetic excellence and functional playability. Collaboration is key: you will partner cross-functionally with brand management and manufacturing teams to deliver user-centric play experiences while managing team workloads, costs, quality, and timeline requirements. Come join one of the world's biggest toy-making companies and help us shape the future of play!

What You Will Do:

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle for the Squishmallows brand, directing the process from initial concept and ideation through to final production and market delivery

• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of product designers and external vendors, fostering a culture of continuous learning, creativity, and accountability

• Collaborate cross-functionally with brand management, packaging, marketing, and global manufacturing to ensure alignment, smooth execution, and timely delivery of multiple plush projects

• Oversee the creation of precise Product Documentation Sheets (PDS), review product prototypes, sculpts, and samples, and ensure designs consistently meet target costs and QA/QC requirements

• Build and maintain strong relationships with licensors by developing compelling visual presentations, managing design-focused requests, and seamlessly applying feedback directly to product development

• Monitor the Product Design budget, negotiate vendor costs, and maintain a detailed "Shape of the Line" to prepare for internal gates, model reviews, and line reviews

• Drive innovation by collaborating with the VP of Product Design, staying ahead of industry trends, incorporating consumer insights, and promoting sustainable design practices

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes

• Oversees the day to day responsibilities of a medium team
• Responsible for the talent management of direct reports including providing guidance, mentorship, feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and collaborating with human resources on any disciplinary action required
• Fosters a positive team environment by promoting collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• Mentor and Develop Junior Designer abilities

What We Are Looking For: 

• 6+ years of end-to-end product design experience with a strong portfolio showcasing a specific focus on Plush Design or character-driven products

• 5+ years of experience collaborating with global manufacturing factories (Asia preferred) alongside 4+ years of project management experience

• 1 to 2 years of direct leadership experience with a proven track record of mentoring junior designers and managing daily team workloads

• Advanced proficiency in 2D workflows using Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and strong expertise in creating detailed control drawings

• Working knowledge of 3D design software (such as Blender, ZBrush, Fusion360, or KeyShot) to effectively review and guide physical product development

• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to deliver compelling presentations to internal stakeholders and external licensors

• A highly adaptable, resourceful, and nimble mindset with the capacity to pivot quickly as direction changes in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, Industrial Engineering, or a similar field is a plus

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. 

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. 

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let's shape the future of play together! 

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Disney, BumBumz, and BLDR. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to jazlegal@jazwares.com. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!