Associate Manager Consumer Product - Softlines (Maternity cover) in Slough

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team Sitting within the EMEA Consumer Products Organisation, the team is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development and implementation of Consumer Products strategy across all Mattel Brands. This team is responsible for steering and achieving key brand, category and fiscal objectives by identifying and collaborating with Global, Regional, Multi Territory and Local licensees. They work in partnership across the business with the Global Consumer Products, Regional Franchise, Local Brand, Regional Marketing, and Regional Product Development teams, as well as with the Audit, Finance and Legal Divisions.

The Opportunity You’ll be joining the Consumer Products team in a role based out of our Slough office in the UK. You will report directly to the UK Consumer Products Lead. In this role you will manage day‑to‑day licensing business relationships in the UK covering all Softlines partners, deliver all aspects of partner management, identify, pitch and negotiate new business opportunities, and liaise daily with internal and external stakeholders. You will work in partnership with the Associate Manager, Retail Development on the UK softlines retail strategy and build relationships and programmes with leading retailers.

What Your Impact Will Be

• Licensee Management
  • Manage all existing licensing deals, including softlines, home & beauty and licensee relationships.
  • Deliver Softlines country strategy, supporting the UK Consumer Products Lead.
  • Work in partnership on the retail strategy for Softlines and drive these relationships with Consumer Products programmes to be best in class.
  • Deliver detailed joint business plan per partner that includes forecast, budget, stretch targets, retail and marketing calendars and relevant product line plans.
  • Pitch and market presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands.
  • Conduct bi‑weekly 1:1 meetings, arrange quarterly business reviews, bi‑annual top‑to‑tops and track financial goals through forecasting and ambitious sales targets.
  • Deliver and ensure detailed joint marketing plan per partner that includes licensee investment aligned with Mattel Consumer Products goals; ensure marketing support for top items.
  • Be the internal point person for each licensee to ensure local markets are driving the strategy and goals for partners.
• New Business
  • Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients.
  • Secure new licensing deals and negotiate renewals.
  • Attend trade fairs or category‑specific shows.
• Strategy
  • Support UK Consumer Products Lead on key strategy for the market.
  • Analyse the market with SWOT, gaps, opportunities, category priorities.
  • Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients.
  • Keep current with changing trends & competition.
  • Work closely with the Product Development, Creative and Quality & Assurance teams on getting first‑class product to market.
  • Work closely with Retail Development, Digital, PR, Regional Franchise and Local Brand teams to develop joint business plans.
  • Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region.
  • Help find innovative ways to grow the business.
  • Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working in licensing of consumer products, marketing or sales position.
• Understanding of the licensing environment and exposure to licensing.
• Softlines knowledge; experience of working with toy or product based.
• Experience building a joint business plan.
• Exposure to managing a financial plan and forecasting.
• Degree in Business, Marketing or a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Proven sales negotiation experience and commercial thinking mindset.
• Solutions oriented with ability to think outside the box to deliver additional revenue and opportunities.
• Ability to influence others; persuasive and able to present messaging impactfully.
• Commercial acumen with the competence to build and present a strategy.
• Strong relationship builder and able to navigate internal and external relationships and stakeholders with ease.
• Team player. Ambitious thinking.
• Strong communication skills oral and written, able to deliver a narrative.
• Demonstrated growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Benefits

• Gross annual salary range of £57,040 – £67,745.
• Bonus scheme: Participation in Mattel Incentive Plan (MIP) with target of 10 % of base salary; payout determined by company and individual performance results.
• Paid time off: 25 vacation days (with option to buy up to 5 extra days) + 2 volunteer days per year + a day off on your birthday.
• Car allowance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee assistance program: access to Help@Hand (Unum), Modern Health, Headspace, and Maven.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Private health insurance.
• Dental insurance & dental service app.
• Life & disability insurance.
• Employee discount program “Be well at Mattel”.
• Mattel products discounts.
• Family benefits program: 24 weeks off for first caregiver or 12 weeks off for co‑parent, fully paid on arrival of new child, return to work programme, path to parenthood, and family care leave.

Mattel’s total compensation package is based on objective, gender‑neutral criteria such as job grade, work location, relevant skills, and experience. We will not ask about your previous salary history. Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment.