Assoc Manager Product Design

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.

The Opportunity

The Associate Manager, MOA Dolls Design, leads a small team of product designers in the development of compelling product experiences across Fashion Dolls, Playsets, Collectibles, and emerging product categories. This role combines aesthetic/technical/innovation product development expertise, project leadership, and people management to ensure creative concepts are successfully translated into manufacturable products. Working across ES and Asia teams, the Associate Manager drives product excellence, fosters team growth, and supports innovation from design concept through pre-production.

In addition to the traditional design expertise listed above, this candidate will bring a forward-thinking mindset and strong capabilities in trend forecasting, innovation leadership, talent development, and AI-enabled design practices. These capabilities are increasingly important for future design leaders and will help shape Mattel’s the next generation of products and experiences.

Responsibilities

Coach and develop designers through feedback, mentoring, and project guidance.; Foster a collaborative, innovative, and accountable team environment.; Manage workload planning and resource allocation across projects and brands.; Monitor trends across toys, fashion, entertainment, gaming, social media, lifestyle, and collectibles.; Proactively identify whitespace opportunities and emerging consumer needs; Recommend new concepts, product platforms, and growth opportunities based on market insights; Benchmark competitors and emerging brands to inform innovation strategies.; Promote creativity, innovation, and consumer-focused thinking within the team.; Drive process improvements and share best practices across projects.; Support brainstorming and early-stage innovation activities in partnership with ES Design; Lead product design development from design turnover through FPR; Drive design solutions that balance consumer experience, aesthetics, manufacturability, quality, safety, and cost.; Resolve product development challenges through collaboration with engineering and manufacturing partners.; Ensure design intent is maintained throughout development and production processes.; Partner with ES Design, Product Management, Engineering, SG, Packaging, Quality, and costing teams.; Influence decision-making by balancing creative objectives with technical, safety, and business requirements.; Facilitate alignment among ES and Asia teams.; Monitor model spend against approved AOP and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising model quality.

Requirements

Design Excellence: Strong concept ideation, sketching, visualization and storytelling, with a good understanding of consumer trends, play patterns, sustainability and material innovation.; Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborative, people-focused leader with strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills, able to build trust and partner effectively across teams and stakeholders.; Technical Product Knowledge: Solid understanding of product construction, materials, tooling and manufacturing, with the ability to balance creative vision, manufacturability, quality and cost.; AI & Digital Design Fluency: Comfortable using AI-powered tools such as Copilot, Vizcom and ChatGPT to support research, concept development, visualization and design workflows, with awareness of responsible AI and IP considerations.; Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Toy Design, Fashion Design, or related field.; 7+ years of product design experience, preferably within Dolls or toy industry, consumer products, collectibles, or related industries.; Strong portfolio demonstrating product innovation, storytelling, and brand centric design.; Minimum 2 years of people management or team leadership experience preferred.; Strong product development, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.; Effective communicator with proven cross-functional collaboration skills.; Innovative, proactive, and results-oriented mindset.; Experience working with global teams and manufacturing partners is an advantage.; Frequent travel to China is required to support development, manufacturing, supplier engagement, and cross-functional business activities.