Development Program Management Associate II

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.

American Girl is seeking a Development Program Management Associate II 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.

• 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, adjust fit and guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
• Develop, maintain and drive schedule execution of worldwide products.
• Act as liaison between our US 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, Soft-goods Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, 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.

• BA/ BS Degree in Apparel Design & Development or related discipline.
• 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 agrowth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

* 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.

• 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…