Licensing Retail Lead - Italy & Iberia

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, entertain 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 Organization, 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 partnerships 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 for the Associate Manager, Retail Development for Italy & Iberia. This role could be based in either Milano or Barcelona and will report to Head of Consumer Products Italy & Iberia.

You will manage the day-to-day retail business relationships delivering a retail-first mindset in Italy & Iberia covering all retailer partners, delivering all aspects of partner management, whilst driving top Licensing partners as per our growth strategy. Along with Head of CP Italy & Iberia, you will partner to help build and activate the retail strategy, building relationships and programs with leading retailers.

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Manage the Retail strategy and manage all Consumer Products campaigns across Mattel Portfolio, building the retail calendars and activations for the designated markets
• Assist Head of Consumer Products Italy & Iberia to manage the Consumer Products Marketing strategy, working with Brand marketing, and retail marketing to develop Franchise-first retail & marketing campaigns.
• Manage Mattel’s Consumer Products retail initiatives, and execute against pre-existing programmes for the designated markets
• Maintain and grow retail relationships in the countries designated, focusing on all categories
• Act as point of contact and represent Mattel Consumer Product Retail for key Retailers/Buyers
• Present and sell in brands to retail to support work of category managers and licensees
• Manage all existing retail relations, across pitching, presenting, contact management and strategy
• Deliver the Retail strategy and drive these relationships with Consumer Product programs that are best in class. Manage all stakeholders as part of process.
• Assist on delivering detailed JBP per UK top 6 retail partner that includes retail calendar and activation plan.
• Present our retail plans to top Licensing partners
• Conduct regular 1-1 meetings, arrange quarterly business reviews, bi-annual top to tops and track activations
• Support category team to deliver and ensure detailed joint marketing plan per partner that includes licensee investment that is aligned with Mattel Consumer Products goals. Ensure marketing support for top items.

New Business:

• Support Category team to research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Attend Trade Fairs or category specific shows and present as required

Strategy:

• Support Head of Consumer Products Italy & Iberia with building key strategies
• Analyze the market with SWOT, Gaps, opportunities, category priorities
• Research, identify and pitch new category opportunities and prospective clients
• Keep current with changing trends & competition
• Implement marketing and promotional strategies in liaison with internal & external stakeholders
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region with local teams
• Help find innovative ways to grow the business
• Manage extension of local deals into additional EMEA countries
• Gather and share category best practice from across the EMEA region with local teams
• Prepare brand pitch and marketing presentations across Mattel’s IP portfolio of brands

What We’re Looking For:

• Solid licensing experience/industry experience (5-7 years)
• Strong understanding of licensing and retail
• High level understanding of business objectives, related to marketing/brand management
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills
• Strategy and ability to drive vision
• Expert presentation skills, with the ability to build and tell compelling stories
• Excellent communication abilities with internal and external partners and within a matrix organization
• Business and financial acumen – profit driven, forecasting, analyze and stat focused
• Effective project management skills

How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• 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 is 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.