Category Development Manager

Toysmith; Washington; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Discretionary Bonus

Employee Discounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Career Growth

Job summary

Toysmith is seeking a Category Development Manager in Pacific, WA (onsite) to lead end-to-end product development, from concept through launch, across multiple toy categories. You will identify trends, translate ideas into marketable products, and work with designers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to ensure quality and profitability.

The role requires 5–7 years in toy product development, a related degree, and strong category management, merchandising, and financial analysis skills.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of product development experience within the toy wholesale industry.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong understanding of product development, category management, merchandising, and retail financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to identify trends and translate creative concepts into commercially successful products.
• Experience with assortment planning, pricing strategies, gross margin management, and product life-cycle management.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging trends, consumer needs, and market opportunities to develop innovative, differentiated products.
• Generate original product concepts and collaborate with designers and suppliers to bring ideas to life.
• Lead product development from concept through launch, ensuring quality, commercial viability, and on-time delivery.
• Evaluate and improve product designs, packaging, and features to enhance consumer appeal and competitiveness.
• Provide creative vision and direction for new brands, product categories, and assortment opportunities.
• Develop and execute category and brand strategies, product roadmaps, assortment plans, and product life-cycle management across multiple sales channels.
• Drive category revenue, gross margin, profitability, and product performance through strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with Sales and Planning on SKU-level forecasts, inventory productivity, and customer-specific product opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing product assortments and introduce new products that support business growth.
• Manage multiple product development projects, timelines, milestones, and deliverables from start to finish.
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Sourcing, Planning, Quality, and Operations to execute successful product launches.

Skills

Product development

Category management

Merchandising

Retail financial analysis

Project management

Analytical abilities

Communication

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Pacific, WA | Onsite
Job Type: Full-Time | Salaried
Salary Range: $90,000–$120,000 annually

Bring Big Ideas to Life at Toysmith!

At Toysmith, great products start with imagination, curiosity, and a passion for creating something exciting!

We're looking for a creative, innovative, and commercially driven Category Development Manager who can spot emerging trends, identify untapped opportunities, and turn big ideas into products customers love.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves the toy industry and thrives on bringing new products to market. You'll play a key role in shaping product strategies, developing innovative concepts, and driving the success of assigned brands and categories.

The ideal candidate combines creativity with strong business instincts, understands what makes a product successful, and takes ownership from initial concept through launch. If you're passionate about product innovation, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to meet you!

What You'll Do

Identify emerging trends, consumer needs, and market opportunities to develop innovative, differentiated products.

Generate original product concepts and collaborate with designers and suppliers to bring ideas to life.

Lead product development from concept through launch, ensuring quality, commercial viability, and on-time delivery.

Evaluate and improve product designs, packaging, and features to enhance consumer appeal and competitiveness.

Provide creative vision and direction for new brands, product categories, and assortment opportunities.

Category Strategy & Commercial Performance

Develop and execute category and brand strategies, product roadmaps, assortment plans, and product life-cycle management across multiple sales channels.

Drive category revenue, gross margin, profitability, and product performance through strategic decision-making.

Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, sales performance, competitive products, and pricing to identify growth opportunities.

Partner with suppliers to establish product costs, specifications, and target margins while maintaining quality standards.

Collaborate with Sales and Planning on SKU-level forecasts, inventory productivity, and customer-specific product opportunities.

Identify opportunities to improve existing product assortments and introduce new products that support business growth.

Manage multiple product development projects, timelines, milestones, and deliverables from start to finish.

Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Sourcing, Planning, Quality, and Operations to execute successful product launches.

Proactively identify challenges, develop solutions, and keep projects moving forward.

Ensure products meet applicable safety regulations, quality standards, and customer requirements.

Take ownership of results through effective communication, independent problem-solving, and consistent follow-through.

What We're Looking For

5–7 years of product development experience within the toy wholesale industry.

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Strong understanding of product development, category management, merchandising, and retail financial analysis.

Demonstrated ability to identify trends and translate creative concepts into commercially successful products.

Experience with assortment planning, pricing strategies, gross margin management, and product life-cycle management.

Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Strong analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.

Excellent written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs.

Self-motivated, collaborative, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.

Salary Range: $90,000–$120,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Toysmith offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options for employees and eligible dependents.

401(k) Retirement Plan: Automatic 3% employer contribution through our Safe Harbor retirement plan.

Paid Time Off: Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays.

Discretionary Bonus: Eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus based on company policy and performance.

Employee Discounts: Discounts on Toysmith products.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential support and resources.

Career Growth: Opportunity to shape product innovation, influence category strategy, and contribute to Toysmith's continued growth.

Why Join Toysmith?

At Toysmith, we believe great products inspire creativity, spark imagination, and bring joy to people of all ages.

As our Category Development Manager, you'll have the opportunity to influence the products we bring to market, collaborate with talented teams, and play an important role in our continued success.

We're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas, takes initiative, and is excited to turn creative possibilities into real products.