Softlines Brand Manager -08-036

MGA ENTERTAINMENT is leading the revolution in family and children’s entertainment, developing a broad range of proprietary and licensed products by using new technologies never before applied to its products. POSITION SUMMARY

 

To manage the Sofltines Brand Management Team and work collectively with the Hardlines Brand Manager to create global consistency at retail by brand and company strategy.  In addition, manage and handle Softlines licensed product submissions of major domestic and international licensees from all stages of development.  Obtain licensee forecasting, sell thru reports and communicate marketing and promotional strategies.  Analyze sell thru reports for changes in sell-in, sell thru, marketing opportunities and current state of the business.  Challenge licenses regarding promotional opportunities for incremental placement, ensure licensee is competitively priced and placement is secured.  Shop retail for unapproved product in the market – as well as trending.  Communicate trends to individual licenses and territories based on style guide development calendar.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Request sell-thru information on a monthly basis from domestic licenses.  Analyze the information and provide to Director of Licensing monthly. Use this information to ensure product is developed appropriate for each retailer, brand, style guide calendar and product category.  Have a good understanding of all softlines categories state of the business (placement, sell thrus, promotions).

 Shop retail to review placement of current product placement, retail floor position (i.e. back wall, aisle, etc.) and ensure appropriate in-store signage. Report your findings to the Director of Licensing.  Shop retail stores on a monthly basis.

 Review and analyze competition (i.e. placement, price point, promotional activity, signage, etc.) and report your findings to the Director of Licensing on a monthly basis.

 Ensure basic contract terms regarding product are being followed by licenses (i.e. not shipping product that has not been approved, not shipping product that is not within article grant of rights, shipping product after their marketing date, ensure we receive 12 samples of final production and enforce product is refreshed based on category standard and MGA brand strategy)

 Communicate success stories and or difficulties with licensed partners to the Licensing Sales team to ensure existing licensee continues to be the best partner by category and territory.

 Help facilitate the testing, launch and administrative aspects of the new on-line style guide and approval systems.  Help to create, communicate and facilitate cross promotional and marketing initiatives that support key categories.

 Provide Brand Management and Product Development Direction for approximately 30 to 60 global licensed partners.

 Traffic domestic and international licensees product submissions to ensure they are approved within 24 to 48 hours when possible, however, no later than 14 days.

 Lead 3 team meetings weekly with Director, Hardlines Brand Manager and team to review all major product submissions – as well as lead daily individual break-out meetings with softlines team for all other submissions.

 Touch base with licenses as frequently as needed.  However, contact must be made with each licensee and/or agent every two weeks at the latest to ensure product is being developed and sold-in based on contractual obligations.

 On an as needed basis, clearly communicate to Sofltines Coordinator detailed comments as they relate to product revisions on the Product Submission Form and ensure he/she sends accurate direction to licenses.

 Provide trend right design direction, inclusive of examples, to licenses for development of a branded collection representative of each property, style guide and territory on a seasonal basis.

 Address all questions/concerns on comments/direction from licensee and/or retailer

 Provide suggestions on a seasonal basis for additional licensees needs for each properties style guide

 Assist licenses to develop a global approach to coordinated collections.  Licensed product and packaging is one seamless approach alongside our internal categories

 Ensure licensed packaging is developed and follows MGA guidelines for each property.  Review submissions with the Creative team.

 Ensure in-store signage and/or advertising follows MGA guidelines by property.  Review submissions with the Creative team.

 Pull product for each property when needed for trade shows and/or expos and ensure the product statement merchandises well.

 Shop for and mock up product examples for retail promotional/marketing meetings and/or trade shows.

 Work with the Coordinator to maintain licensees sample inventory and return samples to licensees when requested

 

 In conjunction with the Director, begin management training with the Assoc. Brand Managers

 Perform other duties as needed

 

 EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

 4 Year College DegreeAt least 5 to 7 years of licensing experience handling product approvals in Softlines (e.g. apparel, accessories, footwear, home furnishings, etc.)

 MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/PREFERRED Ability to recognize trends domestically and internationallyGood eye for design and creativityMust be extremely well-organized, flexible, multi task oriented and have outstanding follow-through skillsStrong communications skillsAbility to effectively use a computer  (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)Self-starter who can work independently and under pressureDetail-orientedDedicated team player

BENEFITS:

We offer a competitive salary with an excellent compensation package including medical, dental, vision and 401(k) Plan, as well as bonus plans for designated positions. MGA Entertainment is an Equal Opportunity Employer.