Project Hire – Manager, Hardlines Licensing Toys

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives.  From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world.

Be Part of the Story as the Project Hire / Temp Assignment Manager, Hardlines Licensing. This role oversees the growth and management of toy categories, including Dolls, Dress Up & Role Play. This role is essential in bringing the full suite of Disney brands to market through innovative products that appeal to our consumers.

This role will report to the Sr. Manager, North American Brand Commercialization Hardlines

This is a 12 month Project Hire / Temp Assignment position without any guarantee of permanent placement.

What You Will Do:

Finance and Business Planning:

• Accountable for developing, proposing, overseeing, and implementing the business strategy for assigned categories and licensees in the North America Region. 

• Fiscal responsibility for assigned categories to include annual budget planning and quarterly revenue forecasting.

• Participates and contributes to the strategic planning process.  Develops strategies and business plans by retailer, brand and property.

• Identify new business and revenue opportunities.

Category Management:

• Acts as regional ambassador for the category through research & understanding of the competitive landscape. Analyze and understand market trends, consumer trends, retailer and industry needs.

•  Partner closely with Disney Global team and licensees to strategize and develop new business opportunities.

• In Parallel with Disney Global team, manage licensee portfolio/co-manage where relevant with LOB partner (contract negotiation, data management, approvals, submissions, promotion/advertising) and daily relationship with licensees.

• Analyzes regional account (licensee and retailer) business performance and develops growth objectives that are aligned with Disney Consumer Products initiatives.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of new and innovative product strategies, merchandising and marketing plans to ensure that sales are maximized, and marketing objectives are met.

• Partner with sales in assortment / retail planning / sales pitches where relevant.

• Ensures licensee requests are researched and responded to in a timely fashion.

• Manage licensee portfolio/co-manage where relevant with LOB partner (contract negotiation, data management, approvals, submissions, promotion/advertising) and daily relationship with licensees.

• Support Sr. Manager in everyday responsibilities such as contract and amendment process, financial analysis, preparing presentations and other projects, as necessary.

Product Development:

• Partner with Disney Global team to bring innovative & compelling new products to market for categories managed.

• Ensures licensee product lines support Disney Consumer Products regional needs and objectives.

Brand, Retail, Sales and Marketing:

• Develop strong relationships with Disney and Licensee Retail Teams to maximize commercial and brand opportunities.

• Maintain general knowledge of the retail landscape and monitor retail sales performance of key licensees and programs. Perform retail-shopping analysis.

• Presents product lines and creative to retail accounts  

• Collaborate with cross functional teams to provide licensee/product information in support of marketing and brand presentations and sales meetings.

• Build strong team-oriented relationships with other DCP franchise teams and business units, to develop opportunities of coordination with other categories, lines of business and departments and/or cross-promotional opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in licensing or category management, preferably in Toy categories

• Strong understanding of consumer product trends, brand positioning, retail business development function, retail distribution and the retail environment

• Highly detail-oriented. Excellent organizational and project management skills

• Ability to handle several tasks/assignments simultaneously and to maintain flexibility to adapt to changing priorities

• Excellent communication & presentation skills

• Self-starter, motivated, proactive, dependable, able to work in a fast-paced environment

• Analytical/Strategic Thinker

• Team player with strong interpersonal skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; knowledge of financial tracking systems preferred

Required Education:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits. 

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $103,500.00-$138,800.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.