Job description
Product Development Associate - Hardlines
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Job Summary:
Overall Purpose of the Role
To execute product development and approval process for relevant category.
Areas of Responsibility
- Execute the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner, ensuring all product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system as per global product integrity guidelines
- Provide creative direction, inspiration and feedback to licensees on both 2D application and 3D product submissions in order to drive product quality
- Train and develop all new and existing licensees on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems, ensuring that they have the appropriate creative assets for product development
- Develop and maintain successful working relationships with licensees and other internal and external stakeholders
- Create product pitches and new product design visuals under supervision of Product Design and Development Manager
- Develop and maintain a good knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets in order to assist in their usage on consumer products
- Support the needs of the wider team at regional, local and global level as required including involvement in design projects, as directed
- Ensure products comply with corporate policies and legislation
Training and Professional Development
- Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for the Walt Disney Company
- Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices in order to contribute to overall departmental commitments
- Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning
- Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, leveraging technological tools where applicable
- Build links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business
- Promote and maintain an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge and best practice
Areas of Accountability
- Accountable to Product Design and Development Manager
- Accountable for ensuring licensees have the appropriate creative assets for product development
- Accountable for executing the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner
- Accountable for ensuring products comply with corporate policies and legislation
Experience and Professional Qualifications Required
- Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience - product/illustration/textiles/graphic/print design
- Proven commercial product development experience in relevant categories or product design role at a licensee, retail head office or supplier
- Some packaging experience, desirable
- An interest in arts and crafts desirable
Skills Required
- Knowledge of trends within the industry of relevant category and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production
- An ability to communicate a clear design brief and basic design ideas using freehand drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources
- An ability to deliver against set deadlines and budgets as directed
- Strong presentation skills with the ability to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels
- Ability to influence and achieve buy-in at all levels
- Written and spoken English for business use, essential; other European languages, beneficial
- Computer literate including Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and MS Office
Additional Information
- Flexibility for UK, European or international travel may be required
- Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
- Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs
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