Manager, Toy Sourcing And Engineering

Manager, Toy Sourcing and Engineering, Global Sourcing and Product Development -

The Manager, Toy Sourcing and Engineering drives product development and sourcing strategies for a category or portfolio of product categories across all markets and distribution channels worldwide Direct to Consumer Retail (DTCR), shopDisney.com, Domestic and International Theme Parks & Resorts and global Shop-In-Shop retail partners). The Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing short and long range global, omni-channel supplier strategies to support distribution of a global product line while balancing need for localization and speed-to-market. Strategies must balance meeting key financial strategies and seasonal merchandise/design objectives while driving progress on key sourcing initiatives such as sustainability and source country diversification.

The Sourcing Manager will shepherd the product development and sampling process from concept through Final Line Review in close partnership with Product Design and Merchandising. Key responsibilities include vendor and material innovation, feasibility assessments, suggestions on design for manufacturing, cost analysis and estimates, supplier negotiations, managing and synthesizing vendor communication, and managing the sampling process to drive to a final, approved development sample and final cost and vendor placement by Final Line Review.

In this role, you will partner with best-in-class suppliers and internal stakeholders to research, identify, and test acceptable biodegradable materials and compostable plastics that meet design execution standards for Disney merchandise and facilitate roll-out of Company 2030 materials goals. You will provide direction and thought partnership to Product Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Integrity based on a strong knowledge of the qualities and costs of polymeric materials, sustainability, injection molding/other manufacturing processes, and general principles of product design/merchandise sourcing to ensure alignment at each key milestone throughout the Product to Market process and into sampling and support achievement of science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions from the manufacturing and sale of toy products.

This position reports to Senior Manager, Global Sourcing and Product Development, and requires domestic and international travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sourcing Strategy

• Support and execute all Sourcing initiatives, including:
  • Sustainability – achieving materials and Scope 3 emissions targets.
  • Elevated product quality, including adherence to global regulatory requirements. Monitor global labeling and product composition changes to ensure product consistently meet standards for the global marketplace.
  • Cost Control and Profitability: Stay current on the macro-economic and geo-political impacts to cost and delivery – currency fluctuations, commodity rates, labor rates, trade agreements and disputes, COVID policies, environmental policies, etc.
  • Country of Origin (COO) Diversification: Identify needs for new suppliers as applicable, partner with DGS and Responsible Sourcing to identify and vet potential new partners, including leading costing and sampling exercises.
  • International Labor Standards (ILS) Work with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met.
  • Innovation: Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers. Organize vendor innovation weeks to review market and manufacturing innovation on a seasonal basis.
• International Labor Standards (ILS) Work with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met.
• Innovation: Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers. Organize vendor innovation weeks to review market and manufacturing innovation on a seasonal basis.
• Cost Control and Profitability: Stay current on the macro-economic and geo-political impacts to cost and delivery – currency fluctuations, commodity rates, labor rates, trade agreements and disputes, COVID policies, environmental policies, etc.
• Sustainability – achieving materials and Scope 3 emissions targets.
• Country of Origin (COO) Diversification: Identify needs for new suppliers as applicable, partner with DGS and Responsible Sourcing to identify and vet potential new partners, including leading costing and sampling exercises.
• Drive short and long-range Supplier strategies in partnership with Disney Global Sourcing (DGS) and Production/Responsible Sourcing teams. Complete the Annual Supplier Scorecard/GMDE/SWOTS with input from cross-functional partners and hold collaborative business planning and performance review meetings with suppliers.
• Elevated product quality, including adherence to global regulatory requirements. Monitor global labeling and product composition changes to ensure product consistently meet standards for the global marketplace.
• Partner with Responsible Sourcing, Production, and Trade Compliance to build and present the seasonal Sourcing Kick-off presentation inclusive of macro-economic/trade updates and costing forecasts.

Product Development and Costing

• Complete preliminary costing and final business placement roll – inclusive of COO distribution, margin by channel, and vendor loads.
• Assist in the preparation and creation of design concepts, 3D models and prototypes for internal review
• Direct any re-costing/re-development activities based on production challenges that impact item aesthetic.
• Partner with Product Design to manage product finalization including final development samples, costing, and vendor placement to ensure on-time handoff to Production to support established in-store and online launch dates.
• Optimize global merchandise productivity and profitability by identifying and mitigating cost drivers.
  • Complete preliminary costing and final business placement roll – inclusive of COO distribution, margin by channel, and vendor loads.
  • Approve finalized costing and vendor placement, including all variant costing or sourcing for all adopting regions as per the commit report.
• Drive material platforming and recommend sustainable product engineering solutions to ensure sustainability goals are met.
• Knowledgeable of features and play patterns in toy design
• Partner with Trade Compliance on Tariff Engineering opportunities with a global distribution mindset.
• Manage development and production timelines to ensure on-time delivery or projects
• Approve finalized costing and vendor placement, including all variant costing or sourcing for all adopting regions as per the commit report.
• Review and edit CADs to ensure accuracy for manufacturing partners and Suppliers; recommends changes based on knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes and limitations
• Oversee projects through the entire design process from conception to production

Productivity and Process

• Manage the workflow for data entry tasks including item setups, financial roadmaps, and invoicing.
• Supervise all samples and shepherd approvals up until an approved pre-pro sample. Accountable for monitoring progress of development and sampling against key milestone dates; communicate development and sampling status to Merchandise and Design during weekly cross-functional meetings.
• Prepare standard and/or any ad-hoc reports as requested (time & action calendars, status updates, etc.).
• Responsible for ensuring products meet established standards for safety and quality in all intended sale markets, including monitoring quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) with product integrity partners.

Collaboration and Communication

• Develop and cultivate strong partnerships with best-in-class suppliers and across TWDC and in particular with the global merchant, Design, Production, Buying and Planning teams as they pertain to the sourcing and development of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise.
• Attend quarterly product strategy meetings to develop sourcing strategies around key initiatives.
• Facilitate quarterly meetings with suppliers/vendors to review volume of business, verify the accuracy of provided data, resolve routine issues, and ensure supplier alignment with Disney processes and procedures.
• Leverage knowledge of the Company’s products and services to manage the needs of diverse stakeholders and ensure effective collaboration with cross-functional partners and vendors.

Leadership

• Act as a role model by coaching and teaching team members with regular feedback.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Lead and direct employee development, engagement and diversity to advance a culture of collaboration and organizational vibrancy.
• Lead by example as a key change agent; create a culture that fosters teamwork, and innovation while driving accountability to results.
• Collaborate and lead cross-functional team members through all aspects of supplier strategy, cost negotiation, placement, product development, product safety/quality changes and on-time deliveries.
• Develop high performing teams and bench to support organizational growth needs. Foster teams that are flexible and willingness to adapt to changing priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Ability to manage multiple SKU’s and timelines/deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Negotiation, financial acumen and strategic thinking with the ability to drive execution against margin goals and annual operating/financial plans.
• Schedule flexibility to accommodate global time zones.
• Strong team player with collaborative and effective management style. Successful experience working in a highly matrixed company structure; Ability to work collaboratively with multiple design, merchandising, and channel commercial partners.
• Understanding production sculpting practices – parting lines, part separation, and molding concerns
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Experience in Sourcing and/or Product Development of multiple product categories. Relevant category experience in a Sourcing, Product Development, or Merchandising role is a MUST.
• Command of manufacturing processes, materialization, and the key drivers of cost in development.
• 5-8 years of progressive experience in Toy Development/Design, Merchandising, or Sourcing for retail or consumer products in a global, omni-channel environment.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading and developing high performing teams
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills as a Brand and Disney representative for global teams, suppliers, manufacturers and business partners.
• Proficient in 3D Modeling and Adobe Creative Suite
• Passion for product creation and item detail.
• Knowledge of working with Asia-based manufacturers
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to influence a diverse audience including experience working with external clients and business owners to bring product and assortments to the market.

This role is considered hybrid, which means the employee will work a portion of their time (usually 4 days) on-site from a Company designated location in Central Florida and the remainder of their time remotely.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Degree in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Toy Design, 3D Modeling or relevant field

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Key Partners: Merchandising, Product Design, Packaging, Responsible Sourcing and Production, Operations, Merchandise Planning, Global Buying/Parks Location Strategy, Sustainability/CSR, Materials Sourcing, International Labor Standards, Product Integrity, Disney Global Sourcing and Agent partners, Manufacturing suppliers
• Reports to: Sr Manager, Merchandise Sourcing and Product Development
• Leads: Associate Manager, Assistant Sourcing Manager, Sourcing Specialist