Lead Development Project Management Associate

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 Team

The Product Development team within Mattel Building Sets brings creativity and technical excellence together to design and develop innovative construction toys. Our engineers are deeply involved in part design, plastic component development, and manufacturing processes, leveraging strong expertise in plastic injection molding and product engineering.

At Mattel, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues who actively share knowledge and support one another, creating an environment where creativity thrives and ideas come to life.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead, Development Program Management Associate to drive the end-to-end execution of product development programs within the Mattel Building Sets portfolio. This role leads cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, innovative products on time and within cost targets.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Product Development Engineering, you will serve as the central point of coordination across Engineering, Design, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain. You will ensure alignment and seamless execution from concept through production.

Responsibilities

Lead multiple product development programs from concept through production, ensuring delivery against cost, quality, and timeline objectives.; Build and manage integrated project plans, including key milestones, risks, and dependencies.; Drive cross-functional alignment and decision-making, facilitating clear communication across stakeholders.; Identify and mitigate risks related to design, tooling, manufacturing, and supply chain.; Ensure readiness for key gates, including design reviews, tooling kick-offs, and production launches.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field.; 5+ years of experience in product development, program management, or engineering.; Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects from concept to production.; Excellent project management skills.; Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.; Experience working with global teams and external manufacturing partners is an asset.; Understanding of plastic part design and injection molding processes is a plus.