Associate Manager – Key Account (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)

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 Opportunity: 

The Associate Manager – Key Account is responsible for driving sustainable sales growth by developing and executing customer strategies across assigned accounts. The role partners closely with internal cross-functional teams and customers to deliver commercial objectives, ensure operational excellence, and strengthen long-term customer relationships.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Develop, optimize, and execute strategic account plans to drive sustainable growth across assigned customers and channels.
• Build accurate sales forecasts, manage demand planning, and prepare customer orders to ensure optimal stock availability.
• Conduct market, customer, and competitor analysis to identify growth opportunities, mitigate risks, and support commercial decision-making.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers regarding orders, logistics, inventory, payments, and day-to-day commercial operations.
• Monitor and analyze key commercial KPIs and implement actions to accelerate business performance.
• Plan and execute customer marketing initiatives and promotional activities in collaboration with the Retail Marketing team.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, Customer Service and Retail Marketing to ensure excellent execution and customer satisfaction.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Sales, Retail Marketing, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance and Demand Planning.
• External: Key retail customers, distributors and business partners.

What We’re Looking For: 

• Ability to work effectively within a large international matrix organization.
• Strong commercial acumen with a customer-centric mindset.
• Excellent planning, project management and execution skills.
• Results-oriented with a proactive, flexible and determined approach.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' commercial experience, preferably within Toys, FMCG, Licensed Consumer Products, Apparel, Health & Beauty or related industries.
• Experience in an international and cross-cultural business environment.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Advanced analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with sales planning and reporting tools is an advantage.
• Experience working with e-commerce customers or online retail channels is preferred but not required.

Success Measures:

• Achievement of sales and profitability targets.
• Forecast accuracy and operational execution.
• Growth of assigned customer accounts.
• Customer satisfaction and relationship management.
• Execution of promotional and commercial plans.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration.

What We Offer: 

• Gross annual salary range of ZAR 864,000 - ZAR 1,026,000.
• Monthly car allowance
• Mobile phone allowance
• Employee assistance program: Access to Modern Health, Headspace, and Maven
• Medical Aid
• Seasonal gifts

Mattel’s total compensation package is based on objective, gender-neutral criteria such as job grade, work location, relevant skills, and experience. This information is provided to enable informed and transparent consideration and negotiation of employment terms. If your profile is retained and we schedule an interview, we will share further details on Mattel South Africa (pty) Ltd.’s total rewards package. Please note that (some of) the benefits above may change over time, due to changes in the company policy or in legislation. We will not ask about your previous salary history.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!  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.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:
We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

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 collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

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

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy