Director, Breakthrough Product Development & Innovation

Mattel, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Work from home Fridays

Competitive pay & comprehensive benef

Competitive pay & comprehensive benef

Job summary

Mattel, Inc. is seeking a Director, Product Development to lead the Development workstream for an assigned product portfolio and a new brand.

This leader will align technical direction, product requirements, manufacturing readiness, cost, quality, safety, and schedule commitments from concept through commercialization. Reporting directly to the SVP, the role partners with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Finance, Brand, licensors, and business stakeholders to resolve risks, establish

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Product Development, Operations, Program Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years leading product development, development program management, or related functions.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Development workstream across an assigned portfolio and brand, setting priorities and governance.
• Act as senior development decision-maker for feasibility, tooling, manufacturing readiness, cost, quality, and schedule.
• Drive production-readiness alignment with cross-functional teams before launches.
• Establish readiness gates, escalation routines, milestone reviews, and executive reporting.
• Lead resolution of high-complexity development issues and partner across Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Finance, Marketing.
• Oversee development planning for brand, categories, and new product initiatives from concept to commercialization.
• Represent Development in senior leadership discussions with clear recommendations and trade-off analysis.
• Build and develop a high-performing Development Program Management team.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic decision making

Portfolio governance

Program management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Mattel, Inc. is seeking a Director, Product Development to lead the Development workstream for an assigned product portfolio and a new brand.

This leader will align technical direction, product requirements, manufacturing readiness, cost, quality, safety, and schedule commitments from concept through commercialization. Reporting directly to the SVP, the role partners with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Sourcing, Finance, Brand, licensors, and business stakeholders to resolve risks, establish