Manager, Product Design - Squishmallows

Jazwares; Santa Fe Springs (CA); Hybrid; USD 112,440 - 139,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Fridays optional WFH + up to 20 remote

Volunteer time through Jazwares Cares

Job summary

Jazwares in Santa Fe Springs, CA, seeks a senior product designer to lead plush design across the development cycle. You will mentor designers, manage budgets, and collaborate with product, marketing, and global manufacturing to keep products competitive.

You will drive innovation with the VP of Product Design, incorporate consumer insights, and ensure cost targets and QA/QC standards are met. Hybrid work with on‑site discipline and occasional remote work possibilities.

Qualifications

• 6+ years end‑to‑end product design with plush focus.
• 5+ years with global manufacturing factories, Asia preferred.
• 4+ years of project management experience.
• 1–2 years of leadership experience.
• Compelling portfolio across creative projects.
• Proficiency in control drawings and rendered concept illustrations.
• Strong 2D workflows: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; and 3D workflows: Blender, ZBrush, Fusion 360, KeyShot.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor design team; manage budgets and timelines.
• Direct product design from concept through development.
• Collaborate with licensors, Brand, and USPD for alignment.
• Develop design documentation and ensure QA/QC compliance.
• Review 3D sculpt turns and paint masters; prepare submissions.
• Present designs at Line Reviews and Model Reviews.
• Foster sustainable design and ethical material choices.
• Coordinate with packaging teams for aligned product packaging.

Skills

Toy design leadership

Product design

Team leadership

3D design

2D design

Budget management

Vendor management

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in toy design or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Blender

ZBrush

Fusion 360

KeyShot

Job description

Help bring imagination to life with Jazwares, the company behind the global sensation Squishmallows. Join our team in Santa Fe Springs, CA, and help manage the designers that create iconic plush toys loved by millions around the world!

Collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams in product development, marketing, and global manufacturing, you will deliver market‑leading doll products. Beyond directing design execution, you will mentor design talent, manage budgets and timelines, and champion great design. Ideal candidates bring a strong portfolio in toy/doll design and proven leadership experience.

What You Will Do

• Partner with internal departments to ensure seamless development of each plush project.
• Review and comment on your team's product and design quality, actively transitioning into a leadership path.
• Collaborate with the VP of Product Design on innovation efforts, driving creative boundaries to stay competitive.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and innovations, seamlessly incorporating them into doll product designs.
• Manage the development and daily workloads of product designers and external vendors, fostering strong relationships to ensure quality and timeline delivery.
• Direct product design and guide the process from initial concept through design development.
• Promote an awareness of sustainable design practices, eco‑friendly materials, and ethical design considerations.
• Understand and incorporate consumer insights and feedback directly into the design process.
• Champion great design while ensuring products meet target costs and QA/QC requirements with minimal supervision.
• Ensure precise and complete Product Documentation Sheets (PDS) for development teams in the US and Asia, checking that designs align with competitive cost standards.
• Review 3D sculpt turns and paint masters, preparing precise submissions and comments.
• Present product designs in all internal gates, including Line Reviews and Model Reviews.
• Maintain a Product Design Shape of the Line to evaluate the collection and prepare for all presentation needs.
• Lead the team to support innovation and fresh creative ideas for the brand.
• Communicate effectively with Licensors, applying comments to product development while working closely with Brand and USPD.
• Develop visual materials and deliver compelling design presentations to Licensors.
• Manage design‑focused requests, key milestones, approval dates, and general expectations with Licensors, providing proactive solutions to communication challenges.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and creativity within the design team.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects within design specifications, maintaining a strong understanding of schedules to keep deliverables on track and on time.
• Communicate with the packaging design team to assure product and packaging are perfectly aligned.
• Mentor and develop junior designers' abilities.
• Ensure all cross‑functional departments are aligned and working towards a common goal through effective communication.
• Monitor the Product Design Budget, negotiating costs with vendors to adhere to budget constraints.

Supervisor & Leadership Responsibilities

• Oversees the day‑to‑day responsibilities of a medium team.
• Responsible for the talent management of direct reports, including guidance, mentorship, feedback, performance evaluations, and collaboration 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

• Bachelor's degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering or similar field required.
• 6+ years of end‑to‑end product design or other relevant experience with a focus in plush design or character‑driven products.
• 5+ years experience working with global manufacturing factories, Asia preferred.
• 4+ years of project management experience.
• 1–2 years of leadership experience.
• Compelling portfolio of work over a wide range of creative projects.
• Proven expertise in control drawings and rendered illustration of concepts.
• Highly proficient in 2D workflows including Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other graphic design software.
• Knowledgeable in 3D design workflows including Blender, ZBrush, Fusion 360, KeyShot, and other 3D design software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong problem‑solving and adaptability to change.
• Excellent written and visual communication skills. Great oral presentation skills.
• Great attention to detail and skilled aesthetics.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Must be nimble & flexible and have the ability to pivot quickly when direction changes.
• High level of autonomy and resourcefulness.
• Keen knowledge of trends in this design space.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $112,440.00 – $139,440.00 per year. 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; 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.