Product Development Specialist

Mattel; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Product Development Specialist to oversee product approvals and agency oversight. This role is integral in ensuring brand integrity and fostering collaboration across teams. You will act as a brand guardian, guiding licensed products from concept through to final manufacturing. If you have a passion for creativity and a knack for relationship building, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment. Join a team that values innovation and creativity, and help shape the future of iconic brands.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in licensed consumer products.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as brand guardian for licensed products from concept to manufacturing.
• Manage daily product approvals and development processes.
• Conduct weekly meetings with teams to facilitate business development.

Skills

Product Development

Team Management

Communication Skills

Multi-tasking

Relationship Building

Creative Problem Solving

Fluency in English

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Company Description

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, entertain 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 Global Franchise Product Development team delivers knowledgeable, efficient and timely review of licensed product to protect our brands and facilitate our growth. We work in partnership with Greater Franchise Creative and Commercial teams to execute regional creative direction and regional business needs during the product development process.

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Product Development Specialist (Product Approvals and Agency Oversight) assists in overseeing direct reports to elevate product development for global consumer product and marketing submissions for Mattel brands. They serve as the main Brand Assurance contact for Agent Partners. This role encompasses products developed across all our brands, categories, and regions, providing creative onboarding, timely feedback, and collaboration with creative teams, licensees, and agencies to resolve issues and support product approval processes.

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Act as brand guardian for licensed products from concept to final manufacturing.
• Manage daily product approvals and development in our Product Approvals system.
• Support licensees with development guidance and system usage.
• Conduct weekly meetings with direct reports, Franchise Creative, and CP Commercial teams to facilitate business development.
• Understand regional strategies from Franchise Creative and category managers to inform product development.
• Ensure creative direction is properly executed.
• Serve as a point of contact for agencies regarding Brand Assurance, best practices, and guidelines to ensure brand stewardship.
• Contribute ideas and solutions to improve collaboration with the Global Franchise Creative team.

What We’re Looking For:

Requirements:

• 3+ years of relevant experience in licensed consumer products.
• Experience supervising direct reports.
• Fluent in written and verbal English; additional languages are a plus.
• Highly organized with strong multi-tasking skills across multiple projects.
• Excellent relationship-building skills to navigate internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Motivated, enthusiastic, and eager to learn.
• Proficiency in MS365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred:

• Background in creative design or product development.
• Operations experience.
• Knowledge of process improvement.
• Solutions-oriented with creative problem-solving abilities.

Additional Information

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy company with a rich portfolio of children’s and family entertainment franchises, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, and MEGA. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. Our content spans film, television, gaming, music, and live events. Operating in 35 locations, our products are available in over 150 countries through retail and ecommerce partners. Founded in 1945, Mattel is committed to empowering children to explore childhood and reach their full potential.