Associate Manager, Merchandise - Location Based Entertainment

Company Description

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

The Associate Manager, Merchandise, Location Based Entertainment is responsible for spearheading merchandise business development with existing global LBE partners and new ones, leading on merchandise mix & development for both toy + non-toy categories. This is not a creative role, but a partner facing, business development one which requires knowledge of the LBE merchandise space. The role is predominately responsible for the day-to-day partner management of our global merchandise projects as well supporting the team across other Live Events business segments. LBE has proven to be a key factor in increasing consumer engagement with our brands.  This position creates and develops the merchandise  for these attractions as well as implements research and strategy for new opportunities, working with external partners and internal departments to grow the Live Events business

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Spearhead merchandise business development with existing global partners and new ones, leading on merchandise mix & development for both toy + non-toy categories.
• Taking ownership of account management and directly managing multiple LBE partnerships across the global portfolio of brands and experiences.  
• Manage global demand planning for all Location Based Entertainment attractions
• Spearhead product pricing negotiations with LBE partners ensuring that margin goals are captured while delivering high quality product.
• Research and develop new experiential retail models for events & attractions, staying abreast of industry trends.
• Manage global demand planning for all Location Based Entertainment attractions, inputting into Mattel systems and tracking production through completion and arrival at Distribution Centers around the world
• Support on global revenue projections, ensuring AOP goals are being met globally in order to achieve growth goals.
• Diligently manage timelines, ensuring that launches are being met in tandem with operational attraction timelines & needs
• Support on overall finance administration needs, invoicing, payments & LBE merchandise contractual language.
• Develop and maintain a through competency for all Mattel brands & all Mattel branded attractions & experience; understanding the target consumers and driving merchandise mixes based on varying attraction goals.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 4 – 6 years of experience working in Projection Management and business development, preferably within Location Based Entertainment
• Demonstrable experience of product planning, demand planning, SKU management, inventory management & partnership management
• Ability to take ownership of projects, see projects through completion and deliver on deadline.
• To be a flexible member of the team and the ability to develop and nurture strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to react and drive solutions in rapidly changing situations with flexibility, clarity and Patient, structured and clear communicator with ability to react positively to all challenges.  Excellent interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication is essential.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential for use in project management, deck creation and some financial tracking.
• Business acumen, tons of initiative and the desire to always go the extra mile.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in a pressurized, changing environment.
• Can work independently and with a team.
• Forward thinker; creative problem-solving & solution oriented thinker is very important.
• Occasional travel is required as part of this role. 
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $95,200-119,000.

**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Additional Information

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights