Animation Production Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
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.
Job Description
The Opportunity:
Mattel Animation Studios is seeking a Manager, Production Operations to serve as a key operational partner supporting Animation Production. This individual contributor role is responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving production operations, workflows, and operational processes that enable efficient execution across the studio.
Working closely with Production, Legal, Procurement, IT, Finance, Facilities, and external production partners, this role drives operational excellence by developing scalable processes, managing production operations, supporting contract administration, and ensuring documentation, systems, and workflows remain compliant, organized, and effective throughout the production lifecycle.
This role is ideal for a highly organized operational expert who enjoys building structure, improving processes, and partnering across functions to solve complex operational challenges.
What Your Impact Will Be:
Production Operations & Studio Support

• Serve as a trusted operational partner to Animation Production leadership, helping ensure productions are supported with the processes, systems, and coordination needed for successful execution.
• Identify operational risks, recommend practical solutions, and proactively address issues that could impact production efficiency.
• Coordinate cross-functional operational activities supporting productions from development through delivery.
• Independently manage special projects and operational initiatives that improve studio effectiveness.

Workflow Design & Process Improvement

• Design, document, implement, and continuously improve operational workflows that support Animation Production.
• Develop process maps, SOPs, templates, playbooks, and governance documentation that create consistency across productions.
• Analyze existing workflows, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend scalable operational solutions.
• Drive adoption of new operational processes through cross-functional partnership and change management.
• Maintain and continuously enhance the studio's centralized knowledge management resources and operational documentation.

Systems, Tools & Operational Enablement

• Partner with IT and production stakeholders to evaluate, implement, and optimize production tools and operational systems.
• Develop best practices, user guides, and operational documentation supporting consistent system utilization.
• Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for production teams on operational processes, workflows, and new tools.
• Support implementation of new technologies and process improvements that enhance studio operations.

Vendor Operations & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the operational point of contact for production vendors, freelancers, and external partners throughout engagement lifecycles.
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding activities for contractors and vendors, including operational readiness, system access, and workflow support.
• Support evaluation activities during vendor selection and RFP processes by coordinating information gathering, documentation, and stakeholder alignment.
• Assist with production-related vendor agreements and operational coordination, partnering with Legal and Procurement as appropriate.

Contract Administration & Operational Compliance

• Manage contract administration workflows through Workfront, ensuring requests are complete, accurately documented, and routed efficiently.
• Prepare production-related documentation for Legal review and maintain accurate agreement records throughout the approval process.
• Track contract status, approvals, and documentation to support audit readiness and operational compliance.
• Recommend improvements that increase efficiency and consistency within contract administration processes.

Communication & Operational Reporting

• Facilitate communication workflows that improve collaboration across Production, Legal, Finance, Procurement, and other business partners.
• Develop reports, dashboards, and operational updates that provide leadership with visibility into key initiatives, workflow status, and operational metrics.
• Support planning activities through project tracking, documentation, and operational reporting.
• Studio Operations
• Partner with Facilities and internal teams to support workspace planning, production readiness, and operational logistics.
• Coordinate team events, meetings, and studio engagement initiatives that promote collaboration and culture.
• Handle confidential business information with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.

Qualifications
What We're Looking For:

• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
• Significant experience supporting media, animation, television, or entertainment production operations.
• Demonstrated success designing and improving operational processes and workflows.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Experience coordinating operational projects involving Legal, Finance, Procurement, IT, or Production teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to document complex processes clearly.
• Experience with contract administration workflows or operational documentation preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable working independently while managing multiple initiatives in a dynamic production environment.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and production management systems.
• Experience with Workfront or similar workflow/project management platforms is preferred.
• BA/BS preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.

*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate's work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
Additional Information
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 apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 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!
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:
This role is an in-office role Monday-Thursday, and work from home on Fridays. 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 without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy
Videos To Watch
https://youtu.be/gWyvtJNrMno