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:
Sitting within the EMEA Consumer Products Organisation, who are responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development and implementation of Consumer Products strategy across all Mattel Brands. This team is responsible for steering and achieving key brand, category and fiscal objectives by identifying and collaborating with Global, Regional, Multi Territory and Local licensees. We work in partnership across the business with the Global Consumer Products, Regional Franchise, Local Brand, Regional Marketing, and Regional Product Development teams, as well as with the Audit, Finance and Legal Divisions.
The Opportunity:
You’ll be joining the Consumer Products team in a role for the UK; based out of our Slough office in the UK, you’ll report directly to the UK Consumer Products Lead.
In this role you will manage the day-to-day licensing business relationships in the UK covering all Hardlines partners delivering all aspects of partner management. You will identify pitch and negotiate new business opportunities, and day to day liaison with internal & external stakeholders. You will work in partnership with the Associate Manager, Retail Development on the UK hardlines retail strategy and build relationships and programs with leading retailers.
What Your Impact Will Be:
LICENSEE MANAGEMENT:
1. Manage all existing licensing deals, including master toy and licensee relationships
2. Deliver Hardlines country strategy, supporting the UK Consumer Products Lead
3. Work in partnership on the retail strategy for hardlines and drive these relationships with Consumer Products programs to be best in class
4. Deliver detailed joint business plan per partner that includes forecast, budget, stretch targets, retail and marketing calendars and relevant product line plans
5. Pitch and market presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands
6. Conduct bi-weekly 121 meetings, arrange quarterly business reviews, bi-annual top to tops and track financial goals through forecasting and ambitious sales targets
7. Deliver and ensure detailed joint marketing plan per partner that includes licensee investment that is aligned with Mattel Consumer Products goals; ensure marketing support for top items.
8. Be the internal point person for each licensee to ensure local markets are driving the strategy and goals for partners
NEW BUSINESS:
9. Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
10. Secure new licensing deals and negotiate renewals
11. Attend Trade Fairs or category specific shows
STRATEGY:
12. Support UK Consumer Products Lead on key strategy for the market
13. Analyse the market with SWOT, Gaps, opportunities, category priorities
14. Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
15. Keep current with changing trends & competition
16. Work closely with the Product Development, Creative and Quality & Assurance teams on getting first class product to market
17. Work closely with Retail Development, Digital, PR, Regional Franchise and Local Brand teams to develop joint business plans.
18. Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal & external stakeholders
19. Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region
20. Help find innovative ways to grow the business
21. Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands
What We’re Looking For:
22. Previous demonstrable experience working in a consumer products, marketing or sales position
23. Understanding of the Licensing environment and exposure to Licensing
24. Hardlines knowledge; experience of working with toy or product based
25. Experience building a joint business plan
26. Exposure to managing a financial plan and forecasting
27. Degree in Business, Marketing or a relevant subject or equivalent experience
28. Proven sales negotiation experience and commercial thinking mindset
29. Solutions oriented with ability to ‘think outside the box’ to deliver additional revenue and opportunities
30. Ability to influence others; persuasive and able to present messaging impactfully
31. Commercial acumen with the competence to build and present a strategy
32. Strong relationship builder and able to navigate internal and external relationships and stakeholders with ease
33. Team player
34. Ambitious thinking
35. Strong communication skills oral and written, able to deliver a narrative
36. 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:
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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.