Toy Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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.

The Opportunity: 
Mattel's Innovation Venture team is responsible for launching breakthrough ideas - new brands, new business models and new ways to play.

The Associate Manager, Toy Marketing - Innovation will play a critical role in developing and launching 2+ new brands within the innovation pipeline. This role is ideal for a hands-on product marketer who thrives in fast-moving environments and is energized by building new brands from the ground up.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Own end-to-end product development for 2+ new brands, from early concept through launch readiness.
• Lead consumer insights, competitive analysis and market landscaping to inform product positioning, feature sets, pricing tiers, and differentiation strategy.
• Own toy business performance including revenue, margin and sku productivity.
• Collaborate with Design, Development, Packaging, Insights, and Finance to ensure products deliver strong consumer value, clear play patterns, and meaningful innovation.
• Assist in coordinating with regional commercial teams in gaining buy-in to global product strategies at all levels.
• Partner with leadership to build 3-5 year toy product roadmaps, balancing innovation and refresh cycles.
• Partner with leadership and LOBs (lines of business) on franchise extension strategies and integrated execution.
• Inform demand creation by providing input to Brand Marketing / Creative on messaging and feature storytelling.
• Prepare and deliver compelling, data-backed presentations for new concept explorations and milestone reviews, supporting executive decision-making.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years (3 years with MBA) of experience in brand marketing (on brand or agency side), franchise management/marketing, content marketing, or purpose-driven strategy/marketing.
• Roles in category management, product marketing, or product development a plus.
• Consumer-centric mindset: Strong understanding of consumer trends and ability to translate insights into product recommendations.
• Project management: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Analysis skills: Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable takeaways.
• Financial acumen: Experience with P&L and forecasting with strong grasp of SKU productivity and margin targets.
• Collaborative: Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships to deliver results together.
• Communication skills: Excellent at storytelling, presentations, and influencing senior leadership.
• Strong PowerPoint and Excel skills, proficiency in Outlook and Word.
   

*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. 

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