At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail development for iconic brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels in the UK market.
- Company: Join Mattel, a global leader in toys and family entertainment with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Flexible work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values creativity and diverse perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping retail strategies for beloved brands.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in retail, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Company Description
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, who are responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development and implementation of Consumer Products strategy across all Mattel Brands. We are responsible for steering and achieving key brand, category and fiscal objectives by identifying and collaborating with Global, Regional, Multi Territory and Local licensees. We 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
We are seeking a highly commercial and results-driven Retail Lead to spearhead retail development within the Franchise – Consumer Products division at Mattel EMEA. In this pivotal role, you will champion the growth of franchise opportunities across our world-renowned portfolio of brands—with a focus on the UK market.
What Your Impact Will Be
You will join the Consumer Products team as Lead, Retail Development UK, based in Slough and reporting to the Head of Consumer Products UK. Working closely with the Head of CP UK, you will shape and activate retail strategy, build strong partnerships with leading UK retailers, and drive day-to-day retail relationships with a retail-first mindset. You will identify new commercial opportunities, drive sell-in, and pitch franchise programs that elevate brand presence and revenue across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the UK Retail Strategy and cross-category Consumer Products campaigns across the full Mattel portfolio, developing retail calendars and activations.
- Conduct market analysis to identify SWOT insights, category gaps, opportunities, and strategic priorities.
- Track competitor activity, category trends, and retailer strategies to inform pipeline development and retail pitches.
- Pitch, plan, and execute cross-category retail activations aligned with business objectives and brand tentpoles.
- Drive sell-in by presenting and selling brands to retailers, supporting the work of category managers and licensees.
- Expand Consumer Products listings in line with sales targets to accelerate portfolio growth.
- Lead sell-in presentations, business reviews, and product line pitches to secure additional shelf space and new category entries.
- Deliver detailed Joint Business Plans (JBP) for top UK retail partners, including retail calendars and activation plans.
- Conduct bi-weekly 1:1 meetings, quarterly business reviews, bi-annual top-to-tops, and track activations with key retailers and licensees.
- Present UK retail plans to top licensing partners.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (Sales, Category Management, Marketing) to ensure seamless retail execution.
- Represent Mattel at trade events and presentations as needed.
- Support the Head of CP UK in delivering the UK Consumer Products marketing strategy, collaborating with brand and retail marketing teams to create franchise-first retail campaigns.
- Support category teams in developing detailed joint UK marketing plans per partner, ensuring licensee investment and marketing support aligned with Mattel CP goals, with a focus on top-priority items.
Qualifications
7+ years of solid experience in commercial, licensing, or buying/sales roles within a retail environment. High-level understanding of business objectives related to marketing, brand, and franchise management within the entertainment and licensing industry. Extensive network of retail contacts, with strong commercial acumen, exceptional relationship-building skills and a deep understanding of retail dynamics across the consumer products and entertainment/franchise landscape. Proven track record of expanding product listings and successfully pitching programs to major retailers. Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills. Strong presentation skills, with the ability to convert insights into compelling commercial stories and confidently present to diverse audiences. Strong stakeholder management skills, both internal and external, within a matrix organisation. Ability to work cross-functionally, manage multiple projects and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Effective project management skills. Willingness to travel within the UK and across EMEA as required.
Additional Information
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees and our culture.
How We Work
We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities are our superpower. We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking. We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.
Our Approach to Flexible Work
We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.
Who We Are
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and e‑commerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Mattel’s award‑winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
Associate Manager, Retail Development in Slough employer: Mattel
Mattel UK Limited is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity thrives and every team member's voice is valued. Located in Slough, employees benefit from a comprehensive package including generous paid time off, a robust employee assistance program, and family-friendly policies, all designed to support personal and professional growth. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Mattel empowers its employees to contribute meaningfully to the development of iconic brands that inspire and entertain children worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Manager, Retail Development in Slough
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Mattel, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Mattel!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Manager, Retail Development in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Mattel, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Mattel and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Mattel that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mattel
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
