Product Development Manager (Consumer Products)

Location: London

Hybrid work: Employees work in a hybrid model balancing collaboration in our office and remote work. 

Overview 

WildBrain CPLG is a world-leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency with 20 offices worldwide. Since 1972 we have been providing our partners with dedicated licensing and marketing professionals and fully integrated retail, creative & product development, legal and accounting services.   

We are looking to add to our talented team of innovators that can help us manage some of the most profitable and enduring brands in the world! We believe that our partnerships are about clarity, openness, and trust, and we are widely known for our straightforward approach.  

About the Role 

WildBrain CPLG is looking for a Product Development Manager to join our Creative Services team! You’ll work across a wide portfolio of exciting lifestyle, entertainment and sports brands, including Peanuts, WildBrain Brands. You will be responsible for ensuring the clients’ approval processes are adhered to and manage the creative execution on all product ranges ensuring product innovation is best in class. Reporting into the Western Regional Lead (UK,FR, BNLX), you will predominantly work across the Benelux region. Liaising with the local commercial teams, global Creative team and external Clients, the role requires a candidate who is inquisitive about trend newness, product innovation and has an eye for detail!

This is a perfect opportunity for a candidate who is passionate about product development, eager to explore emerging trends and committed to delivering high-quality innovative products!

Product Development

• Responsible for managing the end-to-end, approvals process and delivering innovative brand-appropriate products to market.
• Proactively manage multiple projects using software such as MyMediaBox, Brand Comply & Monday.com
• Support the wider PD team on key partner submissions when necessary.
• Manage the creative output of partners including the appropriate sign off, across WB Brands.
• Deliver bi/weekly updates to the local commercial team including reports noting Licensee developments, status and asset updates.
• Participate in regular summits and status calls with the Creative Services team.

Licensor/ee management

• Manage and review quarterly Licensee reports highlighting designs in selection and those that have been selected / raised purchase orders.
• Plan and run ideation sessions to drive interest and innovation.
• Liaise with Licensors to ensure their feedback is appropriate and solution-driven.
• Proactively manage Licensees range development ensuring to identify gaps in article development and/or standard of execution.
• Establish, develop and nurture external relationships across our Licensor and Licensee Portfolio.

Creative

• Participate and engage in global team activities, such as comp shops, providing visibility to the group.
• Remain alert to market and industry trends and share knowledge across the global team.
• Identify style guide gaps and Licensee needs in line with the wider Creative Services team.
• Monitor competitors, product innovation and market dynamics.

• Sound knowledge of the product development & approval processes, and experience in creatively driving range development.
• A proactive, solution driven mind set to deliver against deadlines.
• Relevant Consumer Products Brand Activation experience in licensing.
• A good understanding of consumer product categories and their production limitations.
• Proficient with using on-line approval software including running reports.
• Good knowledge of the Dutch, UK and wider European market, including retailers.
• Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft packages
• The ability to communicate a clear change in design/direction whilst managing all stakeholders
• Wider knowledge of licensing and product/design trends and a natural interest in consumer product.
• Solution-driven with proactive with a can-do attitude
• An eye for detail

What We Offer 

Working at WildBrain is more than a job — it’s the opportunity to join forces with extraordinary, insightful, and imaginative people who will recognize your talents and encourage your professional growth and development in a work environment that promotes creativity and individuality. We offer competitive benefits, and we invest in our people and their future.  

Our Commitment  

Diversity and Inclusion are in our DNA. As a global leader in kids and family entertainment, we strive to reflect and honour the diversity of our audiences around the world. We believe that creating diverse and inclusive content & brands begins with fostering a culture of belonging at WildBrain. To us, a culture of belonging is one where we celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees, stakeholders, and external partners and strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and brings their authentic self to work.

We demonstrate our commitment to this by striving to provide a supportive work environment and a corporate culture that welcomes and encourages equal opportunities for all employees. We recognize that people bring experience and talent that goes beyond the technical skills and requirements of a job. If you possess similar experience that is close to what we’ve listed here, we encourage you to please still consider applying. We strongly believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key! WildBrain accommodates people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs known in advance if accommodation is required. 

About WildBrain – a parent company of WildBrain CPLG:

At WildBrain we make great content for kids and families. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library – one of the world’s most extensive – we are home to such brands as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test and Degrassi. Our shows are seen in more than 150 countries on over 500 telecasters and streaming platforms. WildBrain’s portfolio spans all areas of the entertainment industry: WildBrain Studios, where we develop and produce hit animated and live actions series; WildBrain Television, which is composed of prominent kids’ television channels in Canada (Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr. and Télémagino); home to Peanuts Worldwide; brand management to some of the world’s most-loved kids brands; celebrated global licensing and distribution teams with WildBrain CPLG, and a leading children’s YouTube network in WildBrain Spark, one of the largest networks of kids’ channels on YouTube, with over 168 million subscribers.

WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit wildbrain.com to learn more!

About WildBrain:  a parent company of Wildbrain CPLG

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° IP management, we are experts in content creation, audience engagement and global licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands with kids and families around the world. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library—one of the world’s most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain’s mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart.  

Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Sonic Prime; Chip and Potato; Teletubbies Let's Go! and many more. Enjoyed in more than 150 countries on over 500 platforms, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered over 1 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada’s most-viewed family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide.   

WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com.