Universal Products & Experiences is seeking a Senior Product Developer to support the design, development and approval of products across the Toys & Hardlines categories. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Product Design Studio, this role plays a key role in delivering high-quality, brand-aligned products across ANZ, Southeast Asia and India.
This role supports brand integrity and strong creative execution while ensuring efficiency across the product approvals process. It will contribute to sustainable growth by balancing creativity with commercially viable, market-ready product solutions.
Design & Development
- Manage assigned categories through the product development lifecycle, from concept to production, including CAD review, sampling, packaging, and final production, while adhering to development timelines.
- Review and guide toy functionality, safety considerations, materials, tooling constraints, and manufacturing feasibility.
- Deliver clear design direction and overlays aligned with property guidelines and franchise priorities to licensees, retailers and agents.
- Apply advanced working knowledge of materials, technology, 2D/3D execution, product construction, and manufacturing capabilities within assigned categories.
- Monitor trends, innovations, and consumer insights to inform new product ideas and line extensions.
- Participate in key design and development meetings and provide clear follow-up actions.
- Support development of new product ideas and translate concepts into market-ready lines.
- Demonstrate understanding of packaging structure, branding elements, and toy functionality as part of overall product execution.
- Ensure brand consistency while driving thoughtful creative innovation.
Design Strategy
- Contribute to identifying growth opportunities within Toys & Hardlines categories.
- Conceptualize designs that support franchise priorities and business strategies.
- Balance design vision with cost targets, MOQ requirements, retail price points, and production timelines.
- Maintain awareness of competitive landscape and consumer targets to inform design decisions.
- Build clear and professional design presentations for meetings.
Licensing Expertise
- Demonstrate strong understanding of licensed entertainment and consumer products landscape.
- Ensure accurate and consistent application of characters, storytelling, and creative assets across submissions.
- Deliver show-to-shelf execution aligned with brand and franchise objectives.
Collaboration & Communication
- Serve as the day-to-day Design & PD contact for assigned categories with licensees, retailers, agents and third-party approvers.
- Communicate clearly and consistently across internal teams and external partners, managing projects across multiple time zones.
- Lead project discussions within assigned categories and support alignment across internal and external stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with all internal and external partners.
- Consistent communication and collaboration with internal and external partners (specifically licensees and agents) in multiple time zones and managing communication with partners where English is not their first language.
- Partner cross-functionally with Category, Franchise, Legal, and Retail teams to support alignment throughout development.