Senior Director of Product Design - Hot Wheels

About the Role

Mattel is seeking a Senior Director of Product Design to lead a team responsible for delivering innovative and engaging product lines across various brands, including Hot Wheels. This executive will shape the creative vision, drive innovation, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as Marketing, Product Development, Consumer Insights, Engineering, Packaging, and Commercial to create compelling products that build brand equity and meet business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement creative vision and design strategies for multiple brands and product categories.
• Lead the development of innovative product concepts that stand out in competitive markets.
• Integrate consumer insights, trends, and cultural movements to fuel consumer-centric product innovation.
• Ensure design excellence throughout all phases from concept to commercialization.
• Coordinate with global development teams to maintain design integrity during manufacturing.
• Present product plans and strategies to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of product designers, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Manage workload and resources across diversified projects to optimize performance.
• Collaborate with Consumer Insights and Marketing to identify emerging opportunities and growth platforms.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of trends, competitors, technologies, materials, and evolving play patterns.
• Drive innovation initiatives that expand product offerings and identify new growth avenues.
• Partner with Marketing, Engineering, Packaging, Licensing, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality product delivery.
• Balance consumer demands, brand strategies, manufacturing constraints, and business objectives for successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Over 12 years of progressive experience in product design with a strong record of launching successful consumer products.
• Extensive experience managing full product development lifecycles from ideation through commercialization.
• Proven leadership abilities, including coaching, mentoring, and talent development.
• Strong understanding of design, manufacturing, costing, engineering, and development processes.
• Demonstrated success in building cross-functional partnerships and influencing stakeholders.
• Strategic mindset capable of identifying market trends and translating insights into product innovation.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills with experience addressing senior executives.
• Experience overseeing multiple brands, categories, or portfolios simultaneously.
• Preferred global experience, especially collaborating with Asia-based design and manufacturing teams.
• A passion for innovation, creativity, and creating products that inspire play.

Additional Information

Mattel values an inclusive culture embracing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, encouraging applicants who may not meet every qualification listed. The company promotes a purpose-driven work environment focused on collaboration, innovation, and execution excellence. Mattel is recognized as an award-winning workplace and is committed to equal employment opportunities.