Associate Product Designer, New Brands

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Product Designer, New Brands

Company: Just Play, LLC

Location: El Segundo, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-29

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovation in product development for the New Brands portfolio, focusing on creative ideation and concept execution within the children's consumer goods sector.

• Translate consumer insights, emerging trends, and new technologies into compelling toy concepts for categories including plush, dolls, collectibles, and playsets.

• Develop and present original product concepts and design solutions through compelling sketches, illustrations, renderings, and 2D/3D models to cross-functional stakeholders.

• Collaborate closely with Design, Marketing, and Product Management teams to shepherd innovative toy ideas from initial ideation through to successful product realization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is firmly rooted in product design, with a strong emphasis on creative concept generation and execution within the fast-paced toy industry. While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations" role, the "New Brands" focus implies a direct contribution to top-line growth through the development of new, market-ready products. The responsibilities align with a creative operations function that supports GTM strategy by bringing innovative products to market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Generate original product concepts and new intellectual property (IP) ideas for Just Play's New Brands portfolio.

• Develop innovative toy concepts from initial ideation through design execution for diverse product lines.

• Design and develop products across multiple toy categories, including plush, dolls, collectibles, playsets, and accessories, ensuring market appeal and manufacturability.

• Create compelling sketches, illustrations, renderings, and 2D and/or 3D concept models to effectively communicate design intent and product vision.

• Present product concepts and design solutions clearly and persuasively to Design, Marketing, Product Management, and senior leadership teams.

• Collaborate effectively within a small, cross-functional team throughout the entire product development lifecycle, fostering a cohesive and efficient process.

• Partner with external resources, including model makers, sculptors, and soft goods designers, to bring creative concepts to life and ensure quality execution.

• Research consumer insights, industry trends, competitive products, and emerging technologies to continuously inspire innovative product development and maintain market relevance.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines are met in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, demonstrating strong project management capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of creative ideation, technical design execution, and cross-functional collaboration essential for bringing new products to market. The emphasis on "New Brands" and IP generation points to a strategic role in business growth.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role, though equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of dedicated experience in toy design or related consumer product design, with a proven track record of contributing to product development cycles.

Required Skills:

• Strong sketching, illustration, visualization, and concept development skills, essential for communicating design ideas.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for creating compelling visual assets and presentations.

• Working knowledge of 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360) for concept modeling and design refinement.

• Experience in designing products for licensed brands or original intellectual property, demonstrating an understanding of brand guidelines and IP creation.

• Ability to create high-quality, presentation-ready concept artwork and product renderings that effectively showcase design intent.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, crucial for stakeholder engagement and team collaboration.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, vital for managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Understanding of toy materials, manufacturing processes, and the overall product development lifecycle, from concept to production.

• Familiarity with current toy trends, consumer preferences, and children's play patterns, ensuring designs are relevant and appealing.

• Creative, "blue-sky" thinking ability with a practical approach to transforming innovative ideas into manufacturable products.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, adapting to different working styles.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Excel) for daily operational tasks and presentations. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing products specifically in categories such as plush, dolls, collectibles, playsets, or accessories.

• Familiarity with soft goods design principles and manufacturing considerations.

• Exposure to user research methodologies and translating consumer insights into design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative talent, technical design skills, and practical industry knowledge. The requirement for a portfolio is critical for assessing a candidate's design capabilities and experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio demonstrating strong ideation, concept development, sketching, and product design skills is a mandatory requirement for this application.

• Showcase a range of projects that highlight your ability to generate original concepts and bring them to life through compelling visual communication.

• Include examples of 2D and/or 3D concept models, renderings, and detailed sketches that clearly articulate design intent and problem-solving approaches.

• Present case studies or project breakdowns that illustrate your understanding of the product development process, from initial brief to final design execution.

• Highlight any experience with licensed brands or original IP creation, showcasing how you've adapted designs to meet specific brand requirements or developed unique product lines. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a formal requirement, candidates are encouraged to be prepared to discuss their personal design process and methodologies for concept generation, refinement, and presentation.

• Be ready to articulate how you approach researching consumer insights, industry trends, and emerging technologies to inform your design decisions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how your design process integrates with broader product development workflows, including collaboration with marketing, engineering, and manufacturing.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role, the portfolio serves as the primary "process and systems" demonstration. It's crucial for candidates to curate their portfolio to showcase not just aesthetic skills but also their thought process, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the product lifecycle.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 annually. This range reflects the Associate level of experience and the specific responsibilities of developing new product concepts in the consumer goods industry within the El Segundo, CA market.

Benefits:

• Full-time employment benefits package, typically including health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k) with company match.

• Opportunities for professional development and training in design software and industry trends.

• Exposure to a dynamic and creative industry with the chance to work on exciting new brands and products.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, standard business hours (e.g., 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM), with potential for occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is typical for an Associate Product Designer in a high-cost-of-living area like Southern California, considering the experience level and industry. Benefits are assumed based on standard full-time employment offerings for a company of this nature.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Children's Consumer Goods / Toy Manufacturing. Just Play is a significant player, known for its trend-driven approach and collaborations with major entertainment brands. This means a fast-paced environment focused on innovation and market responsiveness.

Company Size: The ADP listing does not specify company size, but as a leader in the children's consumer goods industry working with major retailers globally, it is likely a mid-sized to large organization with established operational processes.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's presence and partnerships suggest a mature organization with a solid history in the market.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Sr. Director, New Brands Team, indicating a structured reporting hierarchy within the Creative-New Brands department.

• The "New Brands Team" likely comprises a mix of designers, marketers, and product managers focused on innovation