Freelance Packaging Engineer 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:
The Sr Associate Managing Editor supports the successful execution of editorial and content development workflows across Mattel Publishing's licensed and global publishing programs. This role coordinates editorial schedules, freelancer and packager deliverables, digital publishing, asset management, and cross-functional project execution to ensure content is complete, accurate, and delivered on schedule. Working closely with Editorial, Production, Creative, Global Publishing, Licensing, and external partners, the Associate Managing Editor helps drive operational excellence by managing critical publishing workflows, maintaining project visibility, and proactively identifying and resolving risks throughout the publishing lifecycle.
What Your Impact Will Be:
Duties for this role include but are not limited to:

• Ownership of assigned low-complexity titles from manuscript through print-ready files, including coordinating vendors and with Production to ensure timely print.
• Support the planning and execution of editorial workflows across multiple publishing programs, ensuring deliverables remain on schedule from manuscript development through final production.
• Coordinate editorial schedules and project milestones, maintaining visibility into project status and proactively identifying schedule risks.
• Manage freelancer and packager workflows, ensuring manuscripts, revisions, artwork, and supporting materials are delivered accurately and on time.
• Serve as the primary coordinator for the Content Development stills process across all Mattel brands, ensuring timely collection, organization, delivery, and posting of assets within Malibu.
• Manage the delivery, organization, and publication of spot art and other visual assets to support editorial, design, and production workflows.
• Partner directly with freelancers, content developers, and packagers to coordinate storybook pools, verify deliverables, and upload approved content into Malibu.
• Coordinate the collection, organization, and delivery of assets for visually complex publishing projects by leveraging digital asset management systems, archives, and internal creative resources.
• Oversee eBook production workflows, coordinating digital file builds, validating metadata accuracy, supporting quality assurance, and ensuring successful digital publication.
• Perform quality control reviews of editorial deliverables, digital files, metadata, and project documentation prior to production handoff.
• Coordinate project handoffs between Editorial, Design, Production, Licensing, and Global Publishing to ensure seamless workflow execution.
• Monitor project dependencies, identify potential risks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues before they impact production schedules.
• Maintain project documentation, editorial trackers, workflow templates, and reporting tools to support publishing operations and schedule visibility.
• Support the onboarding and coordination of freelance editorial resources, providing workflow guidance and maintaining clear communication throughout project execution.
• Recommend and implement workflow improvements that enhance efficiency, strengthen collaboration, and support continuous improvement across editorial operations.
• Support special publishing initiatives, operational projects, and cross-functional priorities as assigned by the Manager, Managing Editorial.

Qualifications
What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Publishing, English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of experience in book publishing, managing editorial, production editorial, or publishing operations.
• Experience managing multiple book projects simultaneously from manuscript through production.
• Experience coordinating external vendors, freelancers, packagers, or creative partners.
• Familiarity with editorial, design, and production workflows for illustrated books or children's publishing.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) and project management tools such as Smartsheet, or similar platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in children's publishing, licensed publishing, or consumer products.
• Experience working with digital asset management systems (DAM) and content management systems.
• Familiarity with metadata management, eBook production, and digital publishing workflows.
• Experience reviewing vendor proofs and approving print-ready files.
• Understanding of print production processes, color proofing, and file preparation.
• Experience working with Adobe Acrobat and reviewing print-ready PDFs.
• Experience collaborating across Editorial, Design, Production, Licensing, and Marketing teams.

Competencies

• Excellent judgment and ability to make decisions within established publishing guidelines.
• Highly organized with exceptional follow-through.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable identifying risks and proactively driving solutions.
• Collaborative, service-oriented mindset with strong relationship-building skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with an interest in refining workflows and processes.

*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.

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