Lead Product Designer - Consumer Products

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:
The Mattel Global Franchise Creative team develops style guides, manages global licensed product development, creative marketing communications and supports other franchise lines of business for Mattel brands.

The Opportunity: 
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Designer to join our International Franchise Creative team, working to support North America Licensed Consumer Products, based in El Segundo. Lead Designer must be able to follow global creative strategy and direction while self-starting the design process for select partners across the region. Role will create trend and brand right programs for partners that reflecting our brands, purpose and Global Strategies. This role supports the Global Franchise Creative Manager for NAD. This position communicates directly with the Franchise Creative Director, Licensing Commercial Teams, External Licensing Partners and Franchise Creative Operations.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Pitch partners alongside local commercial team members
• Curate the appropriate creative to create brand-right mockups to inspire partners, and working with signed partners to shape Softlines & Hardlines collections; for kids & adult retailer collections, including apparel, footwear, accessories, health & beauty, home, and more
• Research and analyse current fashion trends, consumer preferences, and competitor offerings across the NAD region to inform design decisions
• Able to understand partner needs and segment offerings for partners
• Experience working with brand style guides & assets: Translate Mattel’s approved style guides and assets into regional trends appropriately
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop & InDesign, well-versed in Powerpoint
• Work at a fast pace and meet licensees timelines with direction/approvals
• Liaise & share creative with manager, global creative & product development teams
• Build strong relationships with key partners internally and externally
• Visit partners, alongside commercial, to share new creative & give updates on Mattel properties
• Able to ideate new ideas and angles to make authentic programs

Key Partnership/Relationship Areas:

• Strong relationship and great, open and constant communication with other creatives
• Follow creative and design direction from global teams, adapting for market and partner
• Work closely and communicate closely with Global Creatives
• Excellent partnership with regional commercial teams
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Communication and creative updates for partners, including face to face meetings & travel when necessary

What We’re Looking For: 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in creative design, ideally across multiple categories/fields
• Background in graphic design
• Knowledge of the consumer products industry (branding, design, advertising)
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team environment
• Ability to self-prioritize, be organized and hit deadlines
• Fantastic eye and taste level, and an understanding of how to apply that to our iconic brands across multiple partner programs
• EXPERT in Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat
• Confident in Microsoft Word, Excel & Powerpoint
• Attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, as well as presentation skills required
• Ability to work on multiple projects / brands simultaneously
• Brand approvals experience a plus

Personal Attributes:

• Team player; working with a diverse group of talent
• Sense of urgency; this is a fast-paced, changing consumer products environment
• Organized; this position requires solid project management skills
• Professional maturity; Ability to assimilate constructive criticism and execute accordingly
• Self-Motivated and Proactive
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Demonstrates a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves

The annual base salary range for this position is between $94,000.00- $133,000.00.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy