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Toy Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mattel

Associate Manager, Toy Marketing, Barbie

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$35.25 - $48.25/hr

Develop toy strategy by segment (core, premium, collector, preschool, etc.). * Manage toy pricing architecture and competitive positioning. * Partner with leadership to build 3-5 year toy product ...

Mattel

Toy Store Associate- Seasonal

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

$15.50 - $17/hr

Provide excellent customer service to Mattel Toy Store customers and drive store sales. Must be able to work a minimum 3 days per week including Saturday. Full time hours are available though. What ...

Mattel

Toy Store Associate- Seasonal

San Bernardino, CA

$15.50 - $17/hr

Provide excellent customer service to Mattel Toy Store customers and drive store sales. Must be able to work a minimum 3 days per week including Saturday. Full time hours are available though. What ...

Mattel

Toy Store Associate- Seasonal

San Bernardino, CA

$15.50 - $17/hr

Provide excellent customer service to Mattel Toy Store customers and drive store sales. Must be able to work a minimum 3 days per week including Saturday. Full time hours are available though. What ...

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Toy Associate information

What is the difference between Toy Associate vs Retail Sales Associate?

AspectToy AssociateRetail Sales Associate
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require prior retail experienceHigh school diploma or equivalent; customer service experience preferred
Work EnvironmentToy stores, retail outlets, seasonal eventsVarious retail settings including department stores, specialty shops
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily toy retailers and seasonal storesBroad retail industry across multiple sectors
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on toy products and customer engagement in toy storesGeneral retail customer service and sales skills

The main difference between a Toy Associate and a Retail Sales Associate lies in their specific product focus and work environment. Toy Associates specialize in toys and games, often working in toy stores or seasonal shops, while Retail Sales Associates work across various retail sectors, handling a broader range of products. Both roles require similar basic credentials but differ in industry-specific knowledge and customer interaction.

What are some common challenges faced by toy associates in a retail environment?

Toy Associates often face the challenge of maintaining a well-organized and inviting toy section, especially during peak seasons such as holidays. Balancing restocking shelves, assisting customers in finding age-appropriate or trending toys, and managing inventory discrepancies can be demanding. Additionally, Toy Associates frequently collaborate with team members to set up promotional displays and ensure safety standards are met. Adaptability and strong communication skills are essential to succeed in this dynamic and customer-focused role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a toy associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Toy Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic product knowledge, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management tools, and merchandising techniques is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and a friendly demeanor help you engage with children and parents while handling busy retail environments. These skills ensure positive customer experiences, efficient operations, and increased sales in a retail toy store setting.

What is a toy associate?

Toy Associates are retail employees who specialize in the sale and management of toys within a store or department. They assist customers in finding products, provide information about different toys, and help stock and organize shelves. Toy Associates also ensure the sales floor is clean, handle inventory, and may operate cash registers. Their goal is to create a positive shopping experience for customers, especially families and children.
What are popular job titles related to Toy Associate jobs in California? For Toy Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Toy Associate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Toy Associate jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Toy Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Toy Associate job openings:
Toy Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Toy Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Associate Manager, Toy Marketing, Barbie

Mattel, Inc.

El Segundo, CA • On-site

$35.25 - $48.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Mattel rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Summary:
Mattel, Inc. is a leading global toy and family entertainment company known for its iconic brands. The Associate Manager of Toy Marketing will collaborate with the Toy Marketing Manager to manage the toy portfolio strategy, pricing, and product development pipeline.
Responsibilities:
• Develop toy strategy by segment (core, premium, collector, preschool, etc.).
• Manage toy pricing architecture and competitive positioning.
• Partner with leadership to build 3–5 year toy product roadmaps, balancing innovation and refresh cycles.
• Own consumer/play insights specific to toy usage and play patterns.
• Collaborate with Design/R&D to bring toys from concept to shelf.
• Assist in coordinating with regional commercial teams in gaining buy-in to global product strategies at all levels
• Own toy business performance (revenue, margin, SKU productivity).
• Provide input to Brand Marketing on packaging, messaging, and feature storytelling.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years (3 years with MBA) experience in brand marketing (on brand or agency side), franchise management/marketing, content marketing, or purpose-driven strategy/marketing.
• Project management Managing complex product development timelines.
• Roles in category management, product marketing, or product development.
• Experience partnering with design and manufacturing.
• Background in CPG or toy companies, ideally with exposure to retail buyer dynamics.
• Strong quantitative/financial skills (forecasting, pricing, SKU productivity analysis).
• Product strategy & roadmap Ability to define toy segments, pricing ladders, and innovation cycles.
• Collaboration with design/R&D Comfort working with creative, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Retail/channel knowledge Ability to leverage insights to build mass, specialty, and e-commerce distribution strategies.
• Business & financial management Strong grasp of SKU productivity, margin targets, and overall toy category P&L.
• Financial acumen Experience with P&L at the brand or category level.
• Communication skills Excellent at storytelling, presentations, and influencing senior leadership.
• Strong PowerPoint creation and presentation skills, proficiency in Outlook, Word and Excel.
Company:
We empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Founded in 1945, the company is headquartered in El Segundo, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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