Associate Product Designer - Pokémon Plastics

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Product Designer - Pokémon Plastics

Company: Jazwares, LLC

Location: Culver City, CA

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Toy Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-3 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design and development of innovative plastic toys, action figures, and playsets specifically for the Pokémon franchise, translating beloved characters and environments into compelling physical products.

• Drive new toy concept generation and creative ideation, ensuring designs align with brand aesthetics, target cost, and quality assurance (QA/QC) standards.

• Act as a key liaison, fostering collaboration and building consensus among internal teams (branding, product management, engineering, packaging) and external partners, including licensors.

• Manage the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from initial concept and refinement through prototype execution and the creation of comprehensive turnover packages for international manufacturing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an "Associate" level, indicating a focus on supporting senior designers and learning the intricacies of hard-goods product development within a licensed property context. The emphasis on "Pokémon Plastics" signifies a specialized focus within the broader toy design landscape, requiring a deep understanding of the brand's visual identity and fan expectations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Instrumental in generating new toy concepts to enhance new and/or existing brands, with a specific focus on the Pokémon universe.

• Champion great design in high-quality products, ensuring they are within target cost and meet QA/QC requirements.

• Build consensus among cross-functional team members throughout the design process, facilitating smooth project progression.

• Collaborate closely with branding, product management, engineering, packaging, and licensor teams to create cohesive and brand-appropriate products.

• Attend brand and licensing meetings to gather essential information for product design and concept development.

• Successfully present and communicate design concepts clearly and effectively to brand, development, management, and licensor teams.

• Ensure the delivery of precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications for international teams and factories, verifying understanding.

• Support overall strategic product goals, providing direction and feedback during development to ensure brand and licensor assurance.

• Responsible for completing, reviewing, and documenting specification changes, submitting them for licensor approval, and providing comments on illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and sample reviews.

• Work closely with brand/management teams to resolve development issues while assuring designs meet target cost, schedule, and brand standards.

• Participate in the entire project development lifecycle from concept ideation and refinement to prototype execution and turnover packages.

• Communicate with the packaging design team to ensure product and packaging are aligned and complementary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant project management and communication components. The frequent mention of "licensor approval" and "brand standards" underscores the importance of adhering to established guidelines while still fostering creativity. The "international team/factory" collaboration indicates a need for clear documentation and communication skills to manage offshore manufacturing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in toy design, industrial design, industrial engineering, or a closely related industry-relevant field is a plus.

Experience:

• 0-3 years of experience in product design, hard goods/plastic toy development, or action figure design.

• 0-3 years of experience collaborating with overseas manufacturing partners (Asia preferred). Required Skills:

• Genuine passion for the Pokémon universe, characters, region lore, and aesthetics, with a strong pulse on collector and kid community preferences for plastic figures and playsets.

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign).

• Exceptional visual, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to present concepts effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and reciprocally with multiple departments.

• Knowledge of materials and multiple manufacturing processes relevant to plastic toy production.

• Excellent attention to detail and a strong design sense, including a well-developed sense of aesthetics.

• Ability to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines. Preferred Skills:

• Exhibit interest and knowledge of current trends/innovations and an understanding of the competitive toy industry marketplace.

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office & G-Suite.

• Ability to work independently or collaboratively as needed.

• Adaptability to shifting priorities and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

• Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to deal effectively with diverse individuals at all organizational levels in a professional manner.

• Demonstrates a "Lifelong Learner" mindset.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of creative design skills, technical understanding of manufacturing, and strong interpersonal/communication abilities. The specific mention of "Pokémon universe" passion is a critical differentiator, indicating that deep familiarity with the brand is highly valued. The experience level suggests this is an entry-to-mid-level role where candidates will be mentored and expected to grow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle for hard goods, particularly plastic toys and action figures.

• Showcase a range of design projects that highlight creative concept generation, ideation, and problem-solving within specific constraints (e.g., target cost, manufacturing limitations).

• Include examples of technical design specifications, turn packages, or detailed documentation that would be provided to overseas manufacturers.

• Present projects that exhibit a keen sense of aesthetics, understanding of form, color, and material, specifically tailored to toy design. Process Documentation:

• Showcase workflow examples illustrating how concepts move from initial sketches to finalized designs, including any refinement stages.

• Provide evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., engineering, marketing) or external partners in the design process.

• Highlight any personal methodologies for managing multiple design projects, prioritizing tasks, and meeting development deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio is crucial for a design role. Candidates should prepare to showcase not just aesthetic talent but also their understanding of the practical aspects of toy manufacturing, including technical specifications and collaboration. Demonstrating familiarity with the Pokémon brand within the portfolio would be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $66,480.00 - $79,740.00 per year.

• The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location.

• Eligibility for an annual performance incentive may apply.

• As Jazwares is a multi-state employer, this salary range may not apply to other states. Benefits:

• Basic medical insurance: 100% company-paid for employees and their children.

• Employee basic life and AD&D insurance.

• 401(k) retirement program: Jazwares matches up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals.

• Short-term disability insurance.

• Long-term disability insurance.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Time Off for vacation and sick leave.

• Community service volunteer time: Up to 16 hours per year through Jazwares Cares. Working Hours:

• Standard work schedule includes Monday through Thursday on-site.

• Flexible work schedule with an optional Work From Home (WFH) day on Fridays.

• Up to 20 workdays fully remote per year are permitted.

• The role likely involves a standard 40-hour work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to the Culver City, CA location. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, with a notable highlight of 100% company-paid medical insurance for employees and their children, which is a significant perk. The hybrid work model offers good flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Toy Manufacturing / Consumer Goods. Jazwares operates within the dynamic and competitive global toy industry, known for its rapid trend cycles and strong reliance on licensed intellectual properties.

Company Size: Jazwares is a significant player in the toy industry, described as a "leading global toy manufacturer" and part of Berkshire Hathaway. While specific employee numbers aren't provided in the raw data, the global presence and brand portfolio suggest a large, established organization.

Founded: 1997. Founded in 1997, Jazwares has grown significantly over its history, evolving into a major international toy company.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team likely comprises designers with various specializations (e.g., plastic toys, plush, costumes). This role focuses specifically on "Pokémon Plastics."

• The Associate Product Designer will report to a Product Design Manager or Senior Designer and will collaborate extensively with Product Management, Engineering, Packaging, and Marketing teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect of the role, involving frequent interaction with internal departments and external licensors to ensure product alignment and approval. Methodology:

• Jazwares emphasizes an innovative and creative approach, encouraging ideas from all levels.

• The company's methodology likely involves a structured product development process, from concept ideation and market trend analysis to prototyping, licensor approval, and manufacturing oversight.

• A data-driven approach, combined with a strong understanding of collector and kid consumer behavior, likely informs design decisions.

Company Website: www.jazwares.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Jazwares positions itself as a fast-growing, innovative company with a strong emphasis on popular licensed brands. The "Berkshire Hathaway company" affiliation adds a layer of stability and significant corporate backing. The culture is described as fostering passion, collaboration, and humility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an "Associate" level position, typically considered entry-level to early-career (0-3 years of experience). It's designed for individuals beginning their journey in product design, with a specific focus on hard goods and licensed properties.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Product Designer will likely report to a Senior Product Designer or a Design Manager. They will work closely with various internal departments such as Product Management, Engineering, and Packaging, as well as external stakeholders like licensors.

Operations Impact: While this is a design role, it has a significant impact on the "operations" of bringing products to market. Successful product design directly influences manufacturing feasibility, cost of goods, quality control, and ultimately, market reception and revenue generation for the Pokémon toy line. Effective design specifications are critical for the smooth execution by manufacturing partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Progress from Associate to Product Designer, then potentially to Senior Product Designer, leading more complex projects and mentoring junior staff. Specialization within specific toy categories (e.g., action figures, playsets) or brands.

• Brand Expertise: Develop deep expertise in designing for major licensed properties like Pokémon, becoming a go-to resource for that brand's product development.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Opportunities to lead design aspects of larger product initiatives, influencing broader product strategy and collaborating more strategically with other departments.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience with global manufacturing, licensor relations, and the competitive toy market, which can open doors to various roles within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate" title suggests a learning and development focus. Growth will likely involve mastering the technical and creative aspects of toy design, understanding the nuances of licensed brand development, and improving collaboration and project management skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment with a structured on-site component and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Culver City, California, USA. This location is likely a hub for design and product development teams.

Workspace Context:

• The Culver City office provides the primary physical workspace, with a focus on collaborative design activities Monday through Thursday.

• Employees will have access to necessary design tools and software (Adobe Creative Suite) within the office.

• The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration during the week, fostering team cohesion and idea exchange, while offering remote flexibility. Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week.

• Employees are expected to be on-site Monday through Thursday.

• Fridays are designated as an optional Work From Home (WFH) day.

• An additional allowance of up to 20 workdays fully remote per year is provided, offering significant flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key feature, balancing the need for in-person collaboration essential for design feedback and ideation with the flexibility of remote work. The "Monday-Thursday on-site" structure is common for hybrid roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications, experience, and passion for Pokémon.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve into design philosophy, experience with hard goods and licensed properties, and understanding of the Pokémon brand.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where the candidate presents their design portfolio, discussing specific projects, their role, design process, and problem-solving approaches. This is critical for evaluating technical skills and creative thinking.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key collaborators from Product Management, Engineering, or Marketing to assess communication, teamwork, and ability to integrate feedback.

• Licensor Considerations: While not a direct interview, the hiring team will assess if the candidate's understanding and passion for Pokémon align with licensor expectations.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss cultural fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects. Prioritize those that demonstrate hard goods/plastic toy design, action figure development, and ideally, experience with licensed properties or a strong passion for Pokémon.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process from concept to completion. Include sketches, 3D renders (if applicable), technical drawings, material considerations, and final product mock-ups. Explain the "why" behind your design choices.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples of projects where you collaborated with engineers, marketing, or manufacturing partners. Explain your role in these collaborations and how you facilitated communication.

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: For Pokémon projects, explain how you incorporated brand elements, lore, and fan expectations into your designs. Show that you understand the target audience (collectors and kids).

• Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss manufacturing processes, materials, cost targets, and how you ensured designs were feasible and met QA/QC standards.

• Presentation Clarity: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly. Be ready to answer questions about your design decisions, challenges faced, and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or a take-home challenge. This could involve concepting a new Pokémon toy, refining an existing concept, or developing a turn package for a specific Pokémon character.

• Focus on demonstrating creativity, problem-solving skills, understanding of the Pokémon brand, and the ability to translate ideas into practical, manufacturable designs.

• Be prepared to articulate your design rationale clearly and efficiently within a given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for this role. Candidates should tailor their portfolio to highlight relevant skills and brand affinity. The interview process will likely assess not only design talent but also collaboration, communication, and understanding of the business aspects of toy development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Strong proficiency required in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for concept development, technical illustrations, and presentation materials.

• 3D Modeling Software (Likely): While not explicitly listed, proficiency in software like SolidWorks, Rhino, or ZBrush is often expected for hard goods product design and is highly recommended.

• Microsoft Office Suite & G-Suite: Essential for general productivity, documentation, and internal communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design choices impact sales and market performance is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is Adobe Creative Suite. However, given the "plastic toy development" and "hard goods" nature of the role, candidates with 3D modeling and CAD experience will have a significant advantage, even if not explicitly listed as a mandatory requirement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Passion: A genuine enthusiasm for the Pokémon universe and toy design is critical. This passion should translate into dedication to creating high-quality, engaging products.

• Collaboration: The role demands strong teamwork. Valuing input from diverse teams (product management, engineering, marketing, licensors) and working harmoniously to achieve common goals is essential.

• Humility: Recognizing the contributions of others, being open to feedback, and maintaining a respectful demeanor are key. This fosters a positive and productive work environment.

• Innovation & Creativity: Jazwares encourages new ideas. A proactive approach to concept generation and a willingness to explore novel design solutions are highly valued.

• Quality & Detail: A commitment to high standards in design, documentation, and execution, ensuring products meet brand and licensor expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• The role necessitates a highly collaborative approach, working closely with internal departments and external licensors.

• Expect a dynamic environment where ideas are shared, debated, and refined through group discussions and feedback sessions.

• Effective communication and the ability to build consensus are key to successful collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values (Passion, Collaboration, Humility) are directly reflected in the job responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit alongside technical skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Designing within strict brand guidelines (Pokémon), target cost, and manufacturing limitations requires innovative problem-solving.

• Managing Licensor Expectations: Navigating approvals and feedback from a major licensor like The Pokémon Company requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Overseas Manufacturing Coordination: Ensuring clear communication and accurate specifications for international factories to maintain design integrity and quality.

• Rapid Trend Cycles: Staying ahead of trends in the toy industry and within the Pokémon fandom to create relevant and desirable products.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Achieving consensus and buy-in from diverse internal teams, each with their own priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Brand Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the Pokémon universe and its extensive character roster, becoming an expert in designing for this specific franchise.

• Hard Goods Manufacturing: Gain extensive practical experience in plastic toy development, materials, and manufacturing processes.

• Licensed Product Development: Master the intricacies of working with major intellectual property holders and their approval processes.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Senior Designer roles, lead projects, or explore other design-related functions within Jazwares.

• Industry Exposure: Develop a strong understanding of the global toy market and consumer products industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working with licensed properties and in the fast-paced toy industry. The growth opportunities are significant for an Associate designer looking to build a career in specialized toy development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your design process for a plastic action figure from concept to manufacturing-ready specifications." (Focus on process, technical details, and problem-solving.)

• "How would you incorporate the specific aesthetic and lore of the Pokémon universe into a new toy concept for a character like Pikachu or a specific Pokémon Trainer?" (Assess brand passion and creative application.)

• "Imagine a scenario where a licensor requests a significant change to your design late in the development process. How would you handle this?" (Evaluate communication, adaptability, and negotiation skills.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio where you had to collaborate closely with engineers or manufacturing partners. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate cross-functional collaboration and technical understanding.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about working with the Pokémon brand at Jazwares?" (Gauge genuine interest and alignment with the company's focus.)

• "How do you approach receiving constructive criticism on your designs?" (Assess humility and openness to feedback.)

• "Describe a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder or team member. How did you manage the situation?" (Evaluate interpersonal skills and collaborative approach.)

• "How do you stay updated on toy industry trends and innovations?" (Assess proactive learning and market awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a compelling story: the problem/opportunity, your role, the process, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images and clear annotations.

• Relevance: Prioritize projects that showcase your ability to design plastic toys, action figures, and your passion for Pokémon. If you don't have direct Pokémon experience, highlight transferable skills and your enthusiasm.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (e.g., 15-20 minutes), leaving ample time for Q&A.

• Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss materials, manufacturing processes, cost considerations, and how your designs meet specific technical requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, technical understanding, strong communication skills, and a genuine, deep appreciation for the Pokémon brand. The portfolio is the primary tool to showcase these abilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.ultipro.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your design portfolio to prominently feature projects related to hard goods, plastic toys, action figures, and any work that demonstrates your passion for or understanding of the Pokémon universe. Ensure clear documentation of your design process and technical specifications.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in product design, toy development, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any collaboration with manufacturing partners. Use keywords from the job description, such as "Pokémon," "plastic toy development," "hard goods," and "licensor collaboration."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, explaining your portfolio projects, and preparing for questions about brand passion, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to discuss your approach to working with licensors and international manufacturing.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Jazwares' brand portfolio, recent product launches, and their company values (Passion, Collaboration, Humility). Understand the broader Pokémon franchise and its target audience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.