Senior Manager, Brand - Boys Action

Jazwares, LLC; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Life insurance

401(k) matching

Disability (short/long)

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible schedule

Remote Fridays

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Jazwares, LLC in Culver City, CA, is seeking a Senior Brand Manager to champion brand development at the crossroads of sports, pop culture, and fandom. You will guide line execution across plush and plastic products, including action figures, and ensure milestones and quality standards are met for fans who love the game on and off the field.

The role requires leadership, strong analytics, and collaboration with design, licensing, and supply partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• 5+ years of product development, brand management, or licensing experience in consumer products or toys.
• Experience with plush, plastic products, and/or action figures strongly preferred.
• 3+ years of demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of sports, pop culture trends, and fan‑driven consumer products.
• Solid knowledge of product development lifecycle, manufacturing processes, and licensor approval workflows.
• Advanced analytical skills with experience analyzing sales data, retail exclusives, and competitive landscapes.
• High proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• Knowledge of digital rights management (DRM) systems.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills across all levels of an organization.
• Proactive, critical thinker capable of managing shifting priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product design, packaging design, marketing, licensing, and internal teams to fit the product to the brand.
• Lead day‑to‑day line development and hit milestones and financial goals.
• Identify retailer channel strategies for global markets and retail channels.
• Use project management software for assigned projects.
• Coordinate design approvals with licensors and stakeholders.
• Provide status updates and opportunities to cross‑functional teams.
• Analyze sales data, competition, and trends to drive product development and growth.
• Support consumer, category, and competitive insights for retail exclusives with the Business Director.

Skills

Brand management

Product development

Licensing

Team leadership

Data analysis

Project management

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The Senior Brand Manager acts as a brand champion and is responsible for managing product development at the crossroads of sports, pop culture, and fandom. This role oversees line execution across both plush and plastic products—including action figures—ensuring milestones are met and high-quality lines are brought to market for fans who love the game on and off the field.

What You Will Do

• Work collaboratively with product design, packaging design, marketing, licensing, and other internal team partners to create a product that is the best fit for the brand
• Drive day-to-day line development for assigned brand(s) and manage to key development milestones and financial objectives
• Understand and identify retailer‑specific channel strategies to create diverse product lines that satisfy the evolving needs of all global markets and retail channels
• Utilize project management software for assigned projects
• Coordinate design approvals with respective licensors and/or stakeholders throughout the development process
• Consistently follow up with brand and cross‑functional teams to communicate project status, updates, issues, and opportunities to the broader organization.
• Evaluate the competitive landscape and industry trends to help drive strategic decisions around product development and customer execution
• Analyze and evaluate sales data, understand the competition, and current industry trends to aid in product line architecture and development and identify growth opportunities and new product segments
• Provide consumer, category, and competitive insights and co‑develop targeted retail exclusives plans working closely with the Business Director in identifying new trends, product concepts and development opportunities.
• Assist in brand and product strategies including themes and positioning, for every product development season
• Lead point of contact and communication with cross functional teams for assigned brands throughout the brand planning and product development phase
• Ensure brand integrity and development schedules are kept on track
• Ensure that all outsourced work is quoted in a timely fashion and approved prior to work performed
• Help verify that potential expenditures are in line with the proposed development budget of the item and negotiate competitive pricing with vendors and external partners
• Interface with key vendors/suppliers and product managers, to ensure a smooth business process
• Verify necessary changes are communicated to the responsible party and executed, elevating concerns to the Product Development and Brand Leadership.
• Liaise with Brand Managers to build licensor relationships and coordinate design approvals with respective licensors and/or stakeholders throughout the development process by collaborating throughout development to achieve design and performance requirements while advising on costing, manufacturing, and scheduling parameters
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to plan and execute effective presentations
• Stay up to date with compliance/ style guides/ approvals through internal systems and external communication
• Provide timely feedback to cross functional teams
• Gather domestic and international field input on new and existing products
• Solicit and incorporate sales input into the development of new products
• Lead and participate in key account calls
• Track and analyze sales and profitability of new and existing products
• Work with Sales and Contract Manufacturing to proactively manage inventory (excess, backorders, etc.)
• Lead team to achieve results and ensure best in class products and brand integrity
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred
• 5+ years of product development, brand management, or licensing experience in consumer products or toys
• Experience with plush, plastic products, and/or action figures strongly preferred
• 3+ years of demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong understanding of sports, pop culture trends, and fan‑driven consumer products
• Solid knowledge of product development lifecycle, manufacturing processes, and licensor approval workflows
• Advanced analytical skills with experience analyzing sales data, retail exclusives, and competitive landscapes
• High proficiency in project management software, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of digital rights management (DRM) systems
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills across all levels of an organization
• Proactive, critical thinker capable of managing shifting priorities in a fast‑paced environment

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $112,440.00 - $139,440.00/ Yr. 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, so the salary range may not apply to other states.

• basic medical insurance that is 100% company‑paid for employees and their children
• employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post‑tax deferrals
• short and long‑term disability
• 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.

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

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.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high‑quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Five Nights at Freddy’s™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and BLDR™. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.