Assistant Manager, Marketing Creative

Industry:

Company: Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.

Job Description
This role will be key in the development and execution of retail marketing and creative across the Bandai Toys and Collectibles business. This person will manage the creation of all retail graphics for in-store and online execution, understanding key franchise strategies and consumer products seasonality to develop best-in-class assets and programs. This person should understand current marketplace trends for toys and collectibles and is able to clearly identify and articulate creative strategies that can best optimize Bandai’s annual and seasonal strategies. Being able to proactively identify new white space opportunities for Bandai’s products to reach consumers and pitch new programs and creative vision for achieving annual sales targets.

This role will also support the Bandai events team in the creation of event graphics and associated materials for both B2B and B2C events. Additional ad hoc design support on projects for brand and sales teams to help drive increased product awareness and sell-in/sell-thru of key products and programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Design and creation of retail graphics for in-store and ecommerce placement.
• Develop promotional assets and work with key vendors to secure quotes, evaluate mockups and provide timely feedback in coordination with cross functional teams.
• Create and maintain retail planogram displays across key product lines.
• Provide design support and expertise in the development of internal and external presentation materials.
• Provide design support and expertise in the development of key franchise packaging elements from design creative to overall structures to best represent our products at retail
• Develop B2B and B2C event booth renders and concepts supporting key franchises and business unit strategies
• Provide design support for event booths (e.g. wall graphics, promotional materials and signage)
• Utilizing specialized software to merchandise planograms and promotional space to maximize dollars to space ratio
• Manage 3rd party printers and fabricators to create physical mockups for retailer presentations and showrooms.
• Manage external creative agencies for creative project support needs
• Process and track all 3rd party invoices and payments for design and printing projects.
• Create graphics and materials for internal and external ecommerce usage key retailer best practices for optimization
• Assist event and marketing teams with any additional design requests as needed
• Track and prioritize ad hoc brand team request balancing with day-to-day business needs for additional design support

Experience and Skills

• Problem solving mentality, positive attitude, and deadline focused
• Team oriented and ambitious to grow within the company
• Ability to operate independently on projects with minimal oversight, maintaining timely responses and execution on all projects.
• Able to work at our Irvine CA office 3-days a week
• Familiar with pop culture fan conventions and consumer trends and the ability to translate those trends into actionable creative strategies.
• Proficient with Adobe creative applications, PowerPoint, Planogram software and other creative design software.
• Working knowledge of project management platforms
• Strong organizational and analytical skills to oversee and prioritize projects
• Excellent interpersonal communications, presentation, and leadership skills
• Knowledgeable and understanding of Japanese pop culture titles and products

CORE SKILLS

Accuracy – Works with minimal/acceptable error rate; seeks help for problems; pays attention to detail; follows established work procedures; alerts others when preventable problems arise.

Reliability – Consistently dependable in meeting work expectations; good work output; keeps commitments. Maintains an acceptable attendance level.

Judgment – Makes reasonable and defensible decisions based on relevant information.

Loyalty – Keeps confidential company information; follows company policies; seeks management approval when sharing such data; reports violations of company policies to proper management authority.

Communication – Writes and speaks with accuracy and sensitivity; uses proper language, tone, location, medium (in person or via electronic form) and timing when conveying information; and respects different communication styles of individuals with different backgrounds or perspectives.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE AND WORK REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3 years design experience
• Proficient in adobe creative suite
• Knowledge Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of retail planogram and project management software
• Understanding of North American consumer products and retail trends
• Acumatica knowledge a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with and understanding of Japanese pop culture titles and products
• Excellent interpersonal communications, presentation skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT

White-collar office environment

WORKPLACE TEMPERATURE

Typical Office

WORK CONDITIONS

Office environment

NOISE LEVEL

Mild

PHYSICAL SIGHT

Able to read both hardcopy and computer-based text

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lifting and Bending

TRAVEL

International and Domestic as needed

Job Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401K