About the Role
VTech believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties; qualifications and job scope, but not limit the incumbent or the organization to only the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.
The Licensing Product Manager position pays a competitive salary and is adjusted based on the incumbent's background and experience. We provide excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits. Full-time employees earn 18 days of Paid Time Off your first year, plus 10 standard and 3 flexible company-paid holidays. Employees receive a 401K company match of up to a 4.5%. VTech offers paid parental leave and volunteer time off benefits.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Licensing Product Manager will be responsible for managing all day-to-day product development activities from conception/product kick-off to final, approved product sign-off. This position will primarily drive the development of licensed toys and will also support the Sr. Manager, Product Development in all aspects of product development across assigned products.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITES
Support Sr. Manager, Product Development in executing against approved product roadmap by ensuring the products meet the product line strategy: style guide design/color, age grades, play patterns, and content.
Act as a liaison between licensors and Hong Kong team to ensure proper use of licensed property and communicating project information throughout the product development process.
Ensure successful launch of licensed products while maintaining good working relationships between the company and licensors
Ensure company standards are met for each licensed product while meeting the contractual obligations of each licensor
Document and track each approval step required by the licensors
Participate in cross-departmental projects and provide expertise on all things related to licensed products as needed
Manage key product details, ensuring timely communication across the organization of shifts in elements such as SRP, age grades, shipment dates, and key features.
Collaborate with global product teams to ensure products developed are optimized for both US and global product needs, refining to deliver the best product to market.
Lead new product development efforts including setting direction on product definition, design and features/benefits.
Interpret consumer insights as provided by research team and Sr Brand Manager to inform product development and feature improvements.
Partner with the Learning team on products to review and implement necessary changes in features set or content to ensure curriculum meets age requirements and developmental needs as needed.
Lead product milestones which include design feedback, reviewing game specs, voice direction and recordings, graphic/image reviews, audio selection, and program testing; provide product-specific feedback to Hong Kong design and engineering team.
Assist Sr. Manager, Product Development in collaborating with Hong Kong and EU colleagues in developing global product-specific strategies, when required.
Support market research efforts to test viability of product concepts; assist in preparations and execution.
Manage and drive all detailed project schedules for licensed product lines.
Help to select voice talents for US appropriateness.
Write and edit product-specific copy and content with a focus on educational material and creative game play.
Monitor key competitor products and market trends and provide input to Hong Kong and global teams.
Work closely with content, product development and operations teams to achieve cost targets and ensure on-time market entry.
Attend educator conferences and seminars to stay up to date on education trends.
Assist in development and delivery of presentations for internal stakeholder meetings, retail presentations and media events, as needed.
Collaborate through communication and teamwork with co-workers, management, clients and others in a courteous, and professional manner
Exercise sound business judgment
Work independently and collaboratively and manage time effectively in order to meet changing deadlines and priorities
Treat all employees, guests and customers and others affiliated with our business with respect
Conform and abide by all laws, regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions and VTech's Rules of Engagement
Conform with all safety rules and use all appropriate safety equipment
Other duties as needed or required
POSITION SKILLS
Excellent written and oral skills to communicate clearly and negotiate effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
Must be able to manage product plan development with organizational complexity and ambiguity
Exceptional writing, editing, and scripting skills, including proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
Ability to manage all details of a project from conception to final product release
Strong creative, problem-solving skills necessary
Strong computer skills; proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Solid competency in time management and project management
Strong organization and prioritization skills
Ability to balance creative sensibilities with analytical thinking
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the area of product development, project management, toys, licensing, games, journalism, children's software, education, writing/editing or similar field.
Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Child Education or a related field; or any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform essential functions of this role.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no management/supervisory responsibilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Duties are primarily performed in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Mental activities required by this job include constant decision making, discretion, problem analysis and resolution, independent judgment and independent action. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The employee must read, speak, write and understand the English language. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, and use their hands to handle and grasp, reach with hands and arms. The employee may be occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds [50 pounds if travel]. Specific vision abilities may be required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus with or without the use of prescription eyeglasses.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Core hours will be set between employee and manager and will be based on business needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
TRAVEL
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected 10% of the time.
OTHER DUTIES
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The responsibilities and expectations outlined in this position description are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, with or without notice.
VTech and LeapFrog are Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employers. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of a disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by contacting disability_accommodations@vtechkids.com. General employment-related inquiries should not be submitted to this email.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.
https://www.applicantpro.com/j/2943748-317051