Senior Product Design and Development Manager Walt Disney Company

Job Summary:
To lead the design, development and approval process of all products within the Food category for the EMEA region.
This is a full-time position based out the Hammersmith office in London, 4 days a week.
Area of Responsibility:
Develop and manage 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 stakeholders/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
Oversee nutritional aspects of food product development, providing nutritional advice and support across the teams. Stay up to date with latest nutritional industry developments and liaise with global stakeholders on licensed food opportunities and guideline compliance.
Manage and execute 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 internal and external partners, providing inspiration and ensuring product is brand appropriate and adheres to Disney guidelines
Offer creative input and trend direction to inspire licensees/retailers and help drive quality product
Run ideation sessions with licensees/retailers to drive product innovation
Lead all design projects (e.g. product toolkits, product pitches, inspiration boards) within category, utilising internal and external resources as required
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
Maintain an advanced level of market knowledge for products that fall within your sub-category
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 an expert knowledge of food, health and beauty trends, with a finger on the pulse of new innovations within the category.
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
Manage the training and development of all direct reports ensuring commitments are set, regularly reviewed and feedback given using the D Achieve philosophy, where applicable
Contribute to maintaining and enhancing the standard of training and development, encouraging participation so that everyone has the tools and resources to do their role effectively and efficiently
Area of Accountability
Accountable to Product Design and Development Director, Hardlines and FMCG
Accountable to Vice President, Regional Merchandising and Product Design, EMEA
Accountable for the development of products within relevant category across the EMEA region, ensuring timely development of compelling products
Accountable for cultivating and maintaining productive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally
Accountable for contributing to the success of the team
Accountable for the effective management of team
Experience and Professional Qualifications
Degree level education in a related field or equivalent work experience, with good understanding of nutrition
Significant experience in managerial roles
Experience in designing and developing food or health and beauty products that resonates with consumers both globally and locally across the world
Experience working with large-scale, global retailers and partners to bring product designs to market for a variety of different consumer target
Previous experience managing and developing the performance of a team, essential
Experience within a consumer products commercialisation environment
Proven experience of building effective relationships, leading and managing change and collaboration across departments
Skills Required
An ability to communicate a clear design brief and ensure deliverables meet all criteria
Deep understanding of licensing and experience working with multiple global and regional partners
Ability to inspire a team and lead them towards a common goal
Demonstrated ability to lead a product design team in the creation of consumer-led items through the development cycle
Demonstrated ability to capitalize on market trends and consumer zeitgeist to maximize value creation throughout the trend cycle
Demonstrated ability to create, leverage and scale innovation in consumer products
An ability to deliver against set deadlines and budgets
Strong presentation skills with the ability to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels
Fluent English, essential; other European languages, beneficial
Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels
Resilient and nimble in an ever changing landscape
Forward thinking with the ability to take industry trends and translate them into something that drives growth for TWDC
Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA
Additional Information
Flexibility for frequent 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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