Senior Product Design and Development Manager

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

Equal opportunity

The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.