Softlines Product Development Manager

Description

• Team Management & Mentorship: Supervise and mentor Softlines Product Developer, fostering their growth and ensuring best practices in product approvals and design feedback. 

• Trend Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research to identify consumer trends, competitor activity to inform product development strategies and style guide direction. 

• Licensee & Partner Management: Cultivate strong relationships with external partners, providing clear and constructive feedback to drive product excellence. 

• Product Development Oversight: Oversee the entire product lifecycle from concept to production, with a focus on quality, brand consistency, and commercial viability. 

• Brand Guardianship: Ensure all licensed products maintain the integrity of SEGA IP, adhering to brand guidelines and approved assets. 

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams including Creative Services, Marketing, PR and International Licensing teams to drive synergy and awareness. 

• Business Development Support: Collaborate with licensing managers to identify new business opportunities, product extensions, and category growth areas. 

• Trade Show & Event Representation: Represent SEGA at industry events, trade shows, and partner meetings, some travel may be required. 

• Significant experience in licensed product development or brand management, with expertise in character licensing. 

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring junior colleagues. 

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic product development plans. 

• Excellent relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external partners. 

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance creativity with business objectives. 

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to support product development – you will be required to create product mock-ups to inspired licensees. 

• Strong understanding of product timelines, manufacturing processes, and printing techniques across multiple categories. 

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines. 

• Passion for video games, entertainment, and pop culture.