Product Design and Development Manager - Health & Beauty (12-month FTC)

About the Role & Team

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

This role is a Fixed-Term Contract to cover Parental Leave for 12 months, and will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• Develop and lead 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.
• Handle and develop team, ensuring consistent and appropriate creative direction and feedback is given on all product submissions.
• Run and implement 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.
• Lead creative relationships with 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 health & beauty trends, with a finger on the pulse of new innovations within the category.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• An ability to communicate a clear design brief and ensure deliverables meet all criteria.
• Have sophisticated knowledge of trends within the industry of relevant category and the broader world of design with solid understanding of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production.
• Understanding of licensing and experience working with multiple global & regional partners.
• Proven ability to lead a product development in the creation of consumer-led items through the development cycle.
• Ability to capitalise on market trends and consumer zeitgeist to improve value creation throughout the trend cycle.
• Build, leverage and scale innovation in consumer products.
• Strong presentation skills to effectively present design ideas to internal/external partners.
• Knowledge of Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office.
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA.

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.