Toy Category Innovator & Launch Leader

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

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.