Job Abstract

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: 

Mattel is hiring a Director, Consumer Product (Hardlines) to focus on the following:

• Lead the strategy and development of licensing complimentary hardlines categories for Mattel
• Build multi-year strategic growth plans that introduce new partnerships to reach incremental audiences and expand reach and relevancy for Mattel franchises (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher Price, Monster High, Thomas the Train, Uno, etc.)
• Manage and deliver financial targets to the agreed budgeted phasing with focus on annual and quarterly targets
• Lead a team responsible for identifying, pitching, securing, and executing programs within defined categories, as relevant.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Support the team to cultivate and lead profitable long-term partnerships with licensees and collaborators to ensure Mattel is a top licensor of choice by partners
• Identify and negotiate with key licensees whose manufacturing strengths, brand interpretation capabilities, pricing models and distribution strengths support strategic initiatives
• Drive long range strategic plans for defined categories
• Lead strategy and alignment meetings with regional teams, providing strategic guidance, scaling opportunities, and managing exclusivity across global and local programs. 
• Conduct top-to-top meetings with licensees to ensure that all business opportunities are being discussed and explored
• Partner with finance and legal on deal terms and partner contracts, respectively.
• Collaborate with Global Franchise Marketing Team to align partnerships to key franchise marketing moments and integrate marketing synergies with regional toy teams
• Build a solid working partnership with Franchise, Retail, and Commercial and Marketing leads within the NA region to maximize demand creation
• Work with brand and creative teams to ensure partners and products deliver on brand representation for Mattel franchises
• Create customized pitches for new partners, utilizing global franchise pitch materials
• Lead all aspects of quarterly financial planning reviews with licensees to confirm that predetermined growth targets will be met.
• Act as a partner with regional finance to guarantee royalty reporting and financial payments are received in a timely manner

What We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years experience in consumer products licensing and/or retail development, including a minimum of at least 8 years in toy marketing and/or licensing
• Previous experience in leading a team, with proven track record of talent development
• Strong network of licensing contacts, and firm understanding of contract negotiation and entertainment licensing processes and procedures
• Firm understanding of retail landscape across hardlines and a good sense of trend and partner portfolio
• Strong analytical/category research and assessment skills
• Action orientated, ambitious sales professional with demonstrable business acumen
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize and operate in a fast paced environment
• Great collaborator
• MBA preferred but not required
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

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