Associate Manager, Hot Wheels Tracks & Playsets Job at Mattel, Inc. in El Segund
Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA, United States
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 Hot Wheels Tracks and Playsets design team is a group of passionate and inspired designers with the goal of creating the best toys on earth. We are looking for motivated, challenge-seeking, innovative thinkers to create the next Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment toys for kids. Our products range from dynamic vehicle playsets, over-the-top track sets and unique accessories as well as Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment die‑cast designs. We work with an equally passionate cross‑function team that spans the globe with our international partners, making our design‑led toy company of Mattel one of the best in the industry. Are you up for the challenge?
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Product Design Associate Manager will lead and inspire a group of designers on one or more key segments of Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment tracks and playsets, creating innovative products. This design manager must stay on top of the latest kids trends, pop culture, entertainment, kid insights and fun play. The Product Design Associate Manager will execute and help create product design visions, strengthen the voice of our designers and will be ready for any hands‑on managing that is required to keep the business moving. You will guide, nurture and grow your design team to empower the future leaders within the organization.
WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
You have a thorough understanding of the toy product design‑development processes
Strong ability to ideate, sketch, illustrate, generate rough models
Thorough understanding of final modeling and production
Clear understanding of the toy industry and entertainment industry, with familiarity of vehicles category
You are a strategic design thinker
Contribute and execute on product design vision
Bring fresh POV with innovative design concepts
Solid understanding of how to design for the target consumer, influenced by kid usability and parent expectations and needs
Willingness to lead and be led, taking feedback and commentary on projects and applying where necessary
You are a visual designer
Create visual design language in a product that is suitable for the core audience and maintains the Hot Wheels edge
Understanding of how play and design work together in product to tell a concise story
An excellent communicator
Present to an audience of varying sizes clearly and confidently
Can distill concepts into a clear, understandable narrative to garner buy‑in throughout the organization through a variety of media
Collaborator
Work with Mattel’s Consumer Insights team to identify opportunities, consumer needs, parent and kid purchase behaviors
Partner with cross‑function teams in Marketing, Packaging, Engineering and Product Management
You are nimble
Adapt fast to new design challenges
Capable of pivoting and revising projects and strategy where business necessitates
Occasionally participate in design efforts outside of your area of expertise as your skillset dictates
Multi‑tasker
Handle projects with varying complexity through maximization of design team and internal/external resources of Mattel
Jump in as a hands‑on manager to assist your design team and take on design projects as well
TEAM LEADERSHIP
You are a design leader
Manage a team of designers and empower them to grow and foster forward thinking
Form a strong business relationship with your team, gaining trust through collaboration, guidance, teamwork and empathy
Maximize each designer’s skill within the team and nurture areas of opportunity
Guide your team to best fulfill strategic product needs
Can lead but also be led
You are a role-model
Lead by example and maintain professionalism, representing Mattel’s core values
Passionate and inspire the design team to make toys that matter and make an impact
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
5+ years of cross‑functional experience in product development
2+ years of people‑leading experience, managing 2 or more groups of individuals
Able to thrive in Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment tracks, playsets and vehicle design with innovative forward thinking
Data‑driven decision maker with strong analytical and quantitative thinking
Collaborative and communicative team player who enjoys driving and overseeing projects and processes cross‑functionally with a wide range of personalities
Self‑directed problem‑solver, proactive in tackling new challenges and working through uncertainty
Structured thinker capable of developing frameworks to support strategic decisions
On top of trends in the toy space and adjacent industries
Strong negotiation and relationship‑building skills
Must be self‑motivated and able to manage multiple parallel‑path projects
Minimum of 2+ years of production related capacity
Passion for making great product
Compensation and benefits: The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
INCLUSION & EEO
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture.
HOW WE WORK
Collaborate: Being 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.
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.
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 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 collaboration with the world’s leading retail and e‑commerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award‑winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Videos to watch
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy
#J-18808-Ljbffr
THE TEAM
The Hot Wheels Tracks and Playsets design team is a group of passionate and inspired designers with the goal of creating the best toys on earth. We are looking for motivated, challenge-seeking, innovative thinkers to create the next Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment toys for kids. Our products range from dynamic vehicle playsets, over-the-top track sets and unique accessories as well as Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment die‑cast designs. We work with an equally passionate cross‑function team that spans the globe with our international partners, making our design‑led toy company of Mattel one of the best in the industry. Are you up for the challenge?
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Product Design Associate Manager will lead and inspire a group of designers on one or more key segments of Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment tracks and playsets, creating innovative products. This design manager must stay on top of the latest kids trends, pop culture, entertainment, kid insights and fun play. The Product Design Associate Manager will execute and help create product design visions, strengthen the voice of our designers and will be ready for any hands‑on managing that is required to keep the business moving. You will guide, nurture and grow your design team to empower the future leaders within the organization.
WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE
You have a thorough understanding of the toy product design‑development processes
Strong ability to ideate, sketch, illustrate, generate rough models
Thorough understanding of final modeling and production
Clear understanding of the toy industry and entertainment industry, with familiarity of vehicles category
You are a strategic design thinker
Contribute and execute on product design vision
Bring fresh POV with innovative design concepts
Solid understanding of how to design for the target consumer, influenced by kid usability and parent expectations and needs
Willingness to lead and be led, taking feedback and commentary on projects and applying where necessary
You are a visual designer
Create visual design language in a product that is suitable for the core audience and maintains the Hot Wheels edge
Understanding of how play and design work together in product to tell a concise story
An excellent communicator
Present to an audience of varying sizes clearly and confidently
Can distill concepts into a clear, understandable narrative to garner buy‑in throughout the organization through a variety of media
Collaborator
Work with Mattel’s Consumer Insights team to identify opportunities, consumer needs, parent and kid purchase behaviors
Partner with cross‑function teams in Marketing, Packaging, Engineering and Product Management
You are nimble
Adapt fast to new design challenges
Capable of pivoting and revising projects and strategy where business necessitates
Occasionally participate in design efforts outside of your area of expertise as your skillset dictates
Multi‑tasker
Handle projects with varying complexity through maximization of design team and internal/external resources of Mattel
Jump in as a hands‑on manager to assist your design team and take on design projects as well
TEAM LEADERSHIP
You are a design leader
Manage a team of designers and empower them to grow and foster forward thinking
Form a strong business relationship with your team, gaining trust through collaboration, guidance, teamwork and empathy
Maximize each designer’s skill within the team and nurture areas of opportunity
Guide your team to best fulfill strategic product needs
Can lead but also be led
You are a role-model
Lead by example and maintain professionalism, representing Mattel’s core values
Passionate and inspire the design team to make toys that matter and make an impact
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
5+ years of cross‑functional experience in product development
2+ years of people‑leading experience, managing 2 or more groups of individuals
Able to thrive in Hot Wheels Licensed Entertainment tracks, playsets and vehicle design with innovative forward thinking
Data‑driven decision maker with strong analytical and quantitative thinking
Collaborative and communicative team player who enjoys driving and overseeing projects and processes cross‑functionally with a wide range of personalities
Self‑directed problem‑solver, proactive in tackling new challenges and working through uncertainty
Structured thinker capable of developing frameworks to support strategic decisions
On top of trends in the toy space and adjacent industries
Strong negotiation and relationship‑building skills
Must be self‑motivated and able to manage multiple parallel‑path projects
Minimum of 2+ years of production related capacity
Passion for making great product
Compensation and benefits: The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
INCLUSION & EEO
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture.
HOW WE WORK
Collaborate: Being 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.
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.
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 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 collaboration with the world’s leading retail and e‑commerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award‑winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Videos to watch
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy
#J-18808-Ljbffr