Toy Design Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Product Designer will lead the strategic design and development of innovative, high-quality products for our exciting new bedding brand, SquishPillow. This senior role requires a visionary thinker who can translate character IP and brand strategies into premium, comfort-driven textile products. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership, cutting-edge soft-goods ideation, and advanced technical problem-solving abilities, overseeing the entire design lifecycle from initial concept to retail-ready product.

What You Will Do: 

• Drive the creation of next-generation bedding, plush pillow, and home-textile concepts, establishing a distinct design language for the SquishPillow brand while maximizing comfort and aesthetic appeal.
• Deliver end to end product design including research, concepts, prototypes, and user testing.
• Champion great design in our high-quality products and help assure they are within target cost and QA/QC requirements.
• Oversees the product design process.
• Architect innovative comfort and bedding collections centered around premium material integrity, tactile usability, and exceptional consumer experiences.
• Builds consensus between members throughout the design process.
• Work collaboratively with your branding, product management, engineering, packaging, and other internal team partners to create product that is the best fit for the brand.
• Attend Brand brainstorming to obtain enough information for product design.
• Successfully present and communicate concepts to the brand, development, management, and licensor teams       
• Ensure delivery of precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications and ensure they fully understood by the international team/factory.
• Work with outside vendors.
• Provide expert direction on fabric selection, textile construction, pattern-making, and fill specifications to ensure all SquishPillow products meet top-tier standards for softness, durability, and manufacturing scalability
• Responsible for completing, reviewing, documenting specification changes, submitting for licensor approval, and providing comments for illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and sample reviews                                                        
• Work closely with brand/management teams to resolve development issues, while assuring designs meet the target cost, schedule, and brand standards.
• Participate in the entire life cycle of project development from a concept through initial ideation, refinement, prototype execution, and turn over packages to development teams.
• Collaborate with packaging design team to assure product and packaging are aligned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Do:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Design, Industrial Design, Toy Design, or a related field is a plus. 
• 5+ years of progressive design experience, with a proven track record in soft goods, plush, bedding, or children's home furnishings.
• 1+ years of experience working with global manufacturing factories (Asia preferred).
• Exhibit interest and knowledge of the current trends/innovations as well as an understanding the competitive marketplace in the bedding or home decor industry.
• Proactively observes and gains a deep understanding of the competitive marketplace, including current trends and innovations in home textiles, sleep wellness, and the toy/licensing industries.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite   
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign) or other similar tools.
• Strong project management skills.
• Able to work cross functionally and reciprocally with multiple departments.
• Able to work independently or collaboratively.
• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of working with licensed brands.
• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Able to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently.
• Demonstrates a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics. 
• Can easily adapt to shifting priorities, and can manage multiple priorities at one time, while also demonstrating vigilance in keeping projects moving forward and hitting deadlines.
  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What we offer:

The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.

Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement. 

Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes a Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave.  Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects. 

Reasonable Accommodations   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let's shape the future of play together! 

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Five Nights at Freddy’s™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and BLDR™. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety 

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to jazlegal@jazwares.com. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!