Manager, Merchandising

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Manager, Merchandising – Premium Toys, Glow & Bubbles

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Merchandising, this individual will be responsible for setting the merchandise strategy and vision for a complex, multi-subclass 3D product portfolio spanning premium toys, glow and bubble products. This role delivers consumer-centric, trend-right, high-quality product assortments across all owned and operated channels — translating franchise priorities and guest insights into category-defining product lines that balance play pattern innovation, collectability, core offerings and gifting. This role will sit onsite in Kissimmee, FL.

• This role is specific to the Premium Toys, Glow, and Bubbles categories and requires demonstrated Hardlines product development and merchandising experience.

• Executes the daily implementation of the product strategy for Premium Toys, Glow and Bubbles

• Consumer obsessed, constantly balancing the art and the science of merchandising to find opportunities, elevate brand and delight our consumer

• Develop targeted strategies for the Kidult consumer segment — adults 18+ purchasing product for personal use, nostalgia-driven collecting, or display — including premium price tier development, limited edition and collectible mechanics

• Relentlessly monitor the global competitive landscape and consumer zeitgeist to capture opportunity

• Champions products developed in collaboration with the design teams to capitalize on trends, anticipate consumer demand and drive product innovation in category

• Develop product strategies that define play pattern intent — articulating how the consumer will interact with and derive ongoing value from the product — and establish deliberate packaging intent across formats

• Consolidates the product needs from all regions and channels to develop one product brief to design ensuring needs of all businesses are met

• Find commonality in consumer, customer and market trends to minimize duplication / cannibalization; identify areas to reduce complexity and increase productivity.

• Establish perspective on what’s working and why to consistently improve product line

• Partners with Product Design and Sourcing to deliver seasonal product lines for vertical and wholesale business models that meet KPI business objectives including sustainability goals

• Lead merchant-initiated product development independent of the formal Product Design structure— authoring product briefs, identifying category gaps, and driving concept through commercialization in direct partnership with sourcing and manufacturing vendors

• Understand and support the worldwide segmentation at right price/value from value to premium

• Execute against opportunities to leverage products, co-brands and collaborations globally

• Track development counts and KPIs targets

LEADERSHIP / MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the category ambassador across cross-functional teams — showing up with a clear point of view, energy, and deep product knowledge at every stage of the go-to-market process and in every partner interaction where the business is represented

• Actively participate in conversation and activities with sourcing to cost the line, run financial scenarios

• Actively participate in conversation with design to create a product line in all activities, key milestone meetings

• Manages direct report(s) (if applicable) with immediate feedback on performance and weekly touch bases to review deliverables, regular development and coaching

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of progressive experience in Hardlines Merchandising

• Demonstrated hands-on Hardlines merchandising and product development experience across 3D categories, including familiarity with the distinct manufacturing, regulatory and quality control requirements

• Experience in building an omni-channel product line for a category or categories of business

• Experience working in highly matrixed and/or global product companies a plus

• Demonstrated ability to capitalize on market trends and consumer zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle

• Demonstrated understanding of the Kidult consumer segment, with experience developing product or assortment strategies that balance traditional child-focused play value alongside premium, nostalgia-driven, and display-oriented product strategies that resonate with adult collectors

• Experience developing play pattern briefs and packaging intent strategies across Hardlines categories, with fluency in how packaging format decisions directly impact consumer perception, purchase behavior, and collecting engagement

• Strategic thinker with the ability to drive execution against a financial plan

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external partners and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market

• Strong Team Player – The ability to build & foster collaborative partnerships across functions & departments

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent work experience

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