Manager, Creative & Product Development

Job Description

General Summary:

A key collaborator to the Creative Director, who needs to provide the why, the how and the how much – This role the Creative Director realize the GWBDCP China creative vision, and visual articulation of business needs of the market. This role will perform multiple Creative and Product Development functions, such as developing seasonal creative strategies, product design and development, graphic design, typography, trend research, pitches and presentations, as well as creative tools to support and inspire licensees in their development. This role owns product development and approvals for key categories. The role liaises with Local Category and Marketing counterparts to drive cohesive, synergistic creative materials and strategies to support the brands, as well as Global stakeholders in Franchise, Legal and 3rd party partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Trend, Design and Style guide
• Research, identify and apply relevant trends to products and understand how our franchises can work with key market trends. Conduct constant trend research across multiple avenues, such as format, materials, color, graphics, retail and marketing, to gauge the key influences in the market.
• Transit key category trends into fan relevant products, with storytelling, creativity, quality, innovation and technology
• Contribute high level creativity/product/material trends, execute well product line strategies
• Create seasonal/monthly trend presentations to internal and external partners
• Partner with XLOB's and franchises to compliment and coordinate development
• Develop special trend presentations (pitches for white space opportunity) and create direction as needed for key retail partners
• Maintain good Category, Sales, and Licensee partnerships with regard to design, vision and execution of compelling products and all retail pitches

Creative and Product Management
• Strong ability on product development to ensure product category growth and/or retail specific growth
• Maintain a broad knowledge of the industry and category perspective.
• Give creative direction and approvals for categories like licensed 3D, toys, FMCG and promotional development, from concept stage, to line sheet, to pre-production, with a focus on brand integrity, age appropriateness, differentiation, construction, silhouette, trim details and monitoring appropriate quality
• Integrate knowledge of marketplace into product assortment with Warner Bros.' characters
• Evaluate the product ensuring quality and value, and brand accuracy
• Develop best practices, implement and share across all business segments
• Advance construction knowledge of products and components in regard to design and development
• Strong creative knowledge & vison on Retail/VM/Ecommerce etc. platforms
• Manage and guide agencies, vendors and suppliers, provide franchise trainings, perform design reviews , approvals from concept stage to final product

Experience required:
• Minimum 10 years' experience at a Management level of Creative/Product Development and Brand Assurance functions.
• Background in product development, 3D, sculpting, print, pattern, graphics and embellishment required
• Both vertical and licensing business model experience preferred

Education, Professional Training, Technical Training or Certification
• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in design in a related field or equivalent experience required

Competencies we are looking for:
• Must have production/technical experience designing 3D products, toys and FMCG and preferably tradeshow, exhibition, event and marketing material with focus in the consumer segment of all ages
• Ability to identify key trends and analyze competition of the market
• Technical knowledge of manufacturing and product construction
• Must understand, product development and sell through
• Effective and proven communication/presentation/influencing and organizational skills
• Background in product development, print, pattern, graphics and embellishment
• Ability to clearly communicate and provide creative and art direction
• Advanced computer skills, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• A proven track record of success in creative brand management and/or retail merchandising
• Must be a team player, problem solver with a self-starter and tenacious attitude
• Perform well in a fast-paced team environment and able to work under tight deadlines
• Both vertical and licensing business model experience required
• Fluent Mandarin and English (written and spoken), and extensive knowledge of understanding Chinese market, as well as experience with the Chinese consumer
• Availability to travel
*Management has the right to add or change duties and job requirements at any time.

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rzwmyq-18-218-255-142-42 in your application.