Development Program Management Associate I - Mattel

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, entertain 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 is seeking a Development Program Management Associate I to join our Product Development team at our campus in El Segundo, CA. You will help manage projects from concept through production, in collaboration with a worldwide, cross-functional team consisting of representatives from Design, Development, Marketing, Manufacturing and others throughout the product design and development process.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Managing multiple projects of varying product types and complexities while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
• Working closely with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion.
• Troubleshoot production level samples and make suggestions to fix defects, improve mechanisms, and guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
• Develop, maintain and drive schedule execution of worldwide products.
• Act as liaison between El Segundo teams and overseas locations throughout the product life cycle.
• Reviewing concept sketches and providing support for products in the preliminary design phase.
• Working with external development sources to engineer the product.
• Managing project schedules and product costs.
• Working in a team environment with Design, Packaging, Product Integrity, Marketing, Planning, Cost Engineering, Model Shop, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, Sculpting, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources.
• Develop cost estimates and provide cost /financial analyses for different types of products.
• Analyze product design to affect maximum utilization of materials, methods and processes in order to meet cost objectives and quality specifications.
• Examine product components to ascertain purpose, cost and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations.
• Guide cross-functional teams into optimizing the content and features of products given the constraints of selling price and margins.

What We’re Looking For:

• BA/ BS Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial) or related discipline
• 0-2 years of relevant project management experience
• Proven ability to juggle multiple projects, make quick decisions, and possess excellent problem- solving skills
• Comfortable leading cross-functional teams
• Excellent organizational skills are must
• Must be comfortable with systems and data entry
• Relationship building and customer- facing skills
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves

The annual base salary range for this position is between $66,400 and $83,000.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

What It’s Like to Work Here:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation 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 company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries 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 children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.