Product Design and Development Manager

About the Role

The Product Design and Development Manager will lead the design, development, and approval process of all products within the Disney Food category for the EMEA region.

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• Develop and handle the creative output from licensees ensuring product innovation, brand consistency and compelling execution within a commercial context

• Identify new product opportunities, produce first class conceptual designs and pitch to prospective/existing partners

• Establish and maintain relationships with retailers, internal collaborators/partners and global and international creative teams

• Manage and develop team, ensuring consistent and appropriate creative direction and feedback is given on all product submissions

• Lead and complete where required, the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner

• Ensure all licensee product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval system (OPA) as per global product integrity guidelines

• Ensure licensees are provided appropriate creative assets for product development, developing new assets as required against the specific needs of the category and inputting into style guide needs

• Manage creative relationships with various partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines

• Lead all design projects (e.g. product toolkits, product pitches, inspiration boards) within category, utilising internal and external resources as the need arises

• Ensure all new and existing licensees/retailers are trained and kept up to date on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems

• Determine market trends, using them to drive creative strategy, identify new areas of business and establish design requirements

• Develop and maintain an expert knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets in order to assist in their usage on consumer products!

• Maintain knowledge of food trends in the market, with a finger on the pulse of new innovations within the category.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in crafting & developing food products that resonates with consumers both globally and locally across the world

• Background working with large-scale, global retailers and partners to bring product designs to market for different consumer targets

• Proven commercial design experience related to relevant category is important, to brief and manage external/internal designers and/or agencies

• Product and packaging design knowledge

• Proven experience of establishing effective links, leading and handling change and teamwork across departments

• An ability to communicate design ideas using freehand drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources

• Understanding of licensing and experience working with multiple global & regional partners

• Advanced knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave

• Private medical insurance & dental care

• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free

• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing

• Excellent parental and guardian leave

• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.