Licensing Associate Manager - Retail Development

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:
Sitting within the EMEA Consumer Products Organisation, who are responsible for providing  leadership and direction for the development and implementation of Consumer Products strategy across all Mattel Brands.  We are responsible for steering and achieving key brand, category and fiscal objectives by identifying and collaborating with Global, Regional, Multi Territory and Local licensees. We work in partnership across the business with the Global Consumer Products, Regional Franchise, Local Brand, Regional Marketing, and Regional Product Development teams, as well as with the Audit, Finance and Legal Divisions.

The Opportunity: 

You’ll be joining the Consumer Products team in a role for the UK & Ireland. Based out of our Slough office in the UK, you’ll report directly to the Senior Manager, Consumer Products UK&I.

You will manage the day-to-day retail business relationships delivering a retail-first mindset in UK&I covering all retailer partners – delivering all aspects of partner management, whilst driving Top Licensing partners as per the our growth strategy.  Along with the UK Consumer Products Lead, you will partner to help build and activate UK retail strategy, building relationships and programs with leading UK retailers.

What we offer:

• Competitive base salary
• Annual bonus scheme
• Pension plan co-funding (up to 10.5% company contribution)
• Private Healthcare
• Dental
• 25 holidays
• A variety of employee perks and discounts

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Help to build, manage and deliver UK retail strategy and manage all UK retail CP campaigns across the Mattel Portfolio, building UK retail calendars and activations, helping to execute the UK Consumer Products overall strategy
• Assist in managing the UK Consumer Products Marketing strategy, working with Brand marketing, and retail marketing to develop Franchise-first retail & marketing campaigns
• Maintain and grow retail relationships in UK focusing on all categories
• Represent Mattel at trade events and presentations where required
• Manage all existing UK retail relations, across pitching, presenting, contact management and strategy and act as point of contact for key Retailers/Buyers
• Present and sell in brands to retail to support work of category managers and licensees
• Work with Mattel EMEA retail team to deliver best in class programs; manage all stakeholders as part of process.
• Assist on delivering detailed JBP per UK top retail partners 
• Conduct bi-weekly 121 meetings, arrange quarterly business reviews, bi-annual top to tops and track activations
• Support category team to deliver and ensure detailed joint UK marketing plan (per top country) per partner that includes licensee investment that is aligned with Mattel Consumer Products goals. Ensure marketing support for top items.

New Business:

• Support Category team to Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Attend Trade Fairs or category specific shows

Strategy:

• Support UK Consumer Products Lead on key strategies
• Analyze the market with SWOT, gaps, opportunities, category priorities
• Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Keep current with changing trends & competition
• Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal & external stakeholders
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region with local teams
• Help find innovative ways to grow the business
• Manage extension of local deals into additional EMEA countries
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region with local teams
• Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands

What We’re Looking For:

• Solid licensing experience/industry experience (5-7 years)
• Strong understanding of licensing and retail
• High level understanding of business objectives, related to marketing/brand management
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills
• Strategy and ability to drive vision
• Expert presenting and ability to build compelling stories in PowerPoint
• Strong communication – internal and external in a matrix org
• Business and financial acumen – profit driven, forecasting, analyze and stat focused
• Effective project management skills
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

 

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.