Sr. Design Manager, Packaging & Graphics 08-038

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

 POSITION SUMMARY

Provide, partner and lead consistent design direction specific to target market/consumer throughout each phase of development. Develop innovative creative strategies and build supporting design programs around them. Define and communicate design standard and partner with creative teams, defining direction for creative needs.  Responsible for the planning and execution of packaging and design development.

 

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy

· Design and oversee approvals for fresh, market right and on-brand materials.

· Direct packaging, retail and design responsibility.

· Partners with teams to ensure packaging elements are obtained for the Designers to begin all projects including: Packaging Copy from Marketing Dept., Packaging Deadlines from Structure Dept., Character Art from Character Art Dept., and Photography from Studios.

· Work collaboratively with Department lead to ensure requests and partnerships are fulfilled productively in partnership with others.

· Oversee and deliver all creative assigned brands, sub-brands or projects.

· Manage and design assigned creative initiatives while building relationships, in effort to meet or exceed revenue targets and growth objectives set by the business leads.

· Oversee, create and supplement development of comprehensive package and retail programs to competitively drive business.

· Contribute creatively to the strategic planning process for the Little Tikes business.

· Identify research and analyze trends, competition consumer, retailer and industry needs within all packaging categories. Set and do regular store checks, share findings with teams. Strong awareness of market trends.

 

 

Creative Development

· Established and maintains relationship with MGA partners.

· Primary package design contact and internal driver for package, retail, promotional and graphic creative development.

· Manage a team and oversee package and retail design development within assigned categories.  Ensure packaging and retail design reflects the respective Brands quality and branding objectives.

· Work with Manager and Marketing team on new package development to support business within assigned category(s). Includes advertising and promotion creative development for assigned projects.

· Manage discussions and questions for assigned category including new segmentation design and new Toy developments as requested per Category.

· Communicative and deliver creative PRD for new initiatives and strategies driven from the Retail and Category teams

· Maintain organized yearly job history and branding guidelines.

•  Works closely with Creative Director to Concept and Brainstorm Packaging Concepts.

•  Allocates workload evenly and distributes Projects to designers accordingly.

· Submits and Maintains Packaging BOMs to HK Counterparts.

· Works with HK Design Management Counterparts on HK Packaging Approvals and finalizing for FPP’s and ensures running changes are fulfilled to expectation.

· Maintaining Prelim and Conceptual HK and PSR submissions to photography are submitted.

· Ensure file uploads to HK are complete and on schedule.

 

 DEGREE OF SUPERVISION

· Managed designers within the department

 EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

· 5-8 years experience in mid to large size Toy Company or related experience. BA/BS or 2-3 years Technical College in a related field or equivalent work experience

 MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/PREFERRED

· High level of interest in specific Toy packaging category preferred

· Understands all elements of design: illustration, page layout, color and typography. Able to design for print and package 3D production. Clear understanding of structural limitations.

· Highly fluent in Illustrator, PhotoShop, Microsoft Excel, Word, PPT and Outlook.

· Specific creative and production experience working collaboratively with creative, manufacturing and retail partners in development of toy product line

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Strong presentation skills

· Experience and comfort working in a political environment

· Ability to flex from strategic to task oriented skills

· A sense of urgency and a strong efficient work ethic

· Strong organizational skills.

· Friendly, people oriented team player. Displays flexibility, a sense of humor and positive attitude

· Able to handle multiple tasks and assignments

 

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.