Product Development Manager - Consumer Products
Hasbro · City of London, England, United Kingdom
Manufacturing · 5,001-10,000 employees
About the role
Lead the delivery of licensed softlines products across EMEA, guiding partners from concept to final approval. Ensure products are brand-aligned, commercially viable, and reflect current fashion and pop culture trends.
What they look for
Requirements
Requires professional experience in softlines product development, fashion design, or licensed consumer products. Must possess strong creative judgment and the ability to provide technical feedback on apparel and accessories.
Benefits
Full description
We take play seriously. We’re looking for curious adventurers ready to find their party, fueled by imagination and drive to build what’s never been built before. At Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, you’ll collaborate with passionate teams to reimagine our iconic brands and create experiences that spark joy, connection, and community through the magic of play. This is your chance to shape legendary play that lasts a lifetime.
Hasbro is looking for a Product Development Manager to lead the delivery of best-in-class licensed softlines products across EMEA - spanning apparel, accessories, footwear, bags and lifestyle categories.
As part of the EMEA Licensed Consumer Products creative team, you'll guide licensees and retail partners from concept through to final approval, bringing strong product judgement, fashion awareness and a detailed understanding of licensed product development. You'll review submissions, give clear creative feedback, and help partners build ranges that are brand-right, commercially credible and relevant to EMEA consumers.
You'll play a key role in raising submission quality, strengthening partner understanding of Hasbro's brands, and guiding a junior team member's day-to-day work and development.
Based at our Capper Street office in London (near Warren Street). This role follows our hybrid model: in-office Tuesday - Thursday, flexible on Monday and Friday. There will also be a need to regularly visit our Stockley Park, Uxbridge office for samples, so please bear that in mind when applying.
Key responsibilities
Product development and approvals
- Manage licensed softlines development from concept through to final approval, ensuring products are creatively strong, commercially viable and brand-aligned.
- Review submissions across categories, giving clear feedback on graphics, shape, colour, fabrication, trims, print technique, packaging and overall execution.
- Work with licensees, agents, retailers and internal teams to resolve creative challenges and keep multiple live projects moving.
- Maintain a high standard of review across day-to-day submissions, samples, line plans and final approvals.
Fashion, culture and trend awareness
- Bring a strong understanding of fashion, lifestyle, pop culture and consumer trends across EMEA, and translate it into practical product direction.
- Track competitor activity, retail shifts, collaborations and fandom trends, sharing insight with the team.
- Support trend boards, product inspiration and seasonal direction for partners.
- Help Hasbro brands show up fresh, relevant and credible across fashion and lifestyle retail.
Licensee, agent and retail collaboration
- Build strong working relationships with licensees, agents and retail partners across EMEA.
- Lead creative kick-offs, line planning, range reviews, trade meetings and retailer presentations where required.
- Help partners interpret Hasbro brands, style guides and product expectations to build stronger commercial ranges.
- Act as a trusted day-to-day contact for key EMEA accounts and selected DTR programmes.
Brand and creative execution
- Protect and elevate Hasbro's IP, ensuring products reflect the tone, character and consumer appeal of each brand.
- Work with creative, franchise, legal, retail development and commercial teams to align product development with wider business goals.
- Identify opportunities to elevate execution and support category growth, including fashion-led ranges, capsule collections and retail exclusives.
Team and project guidance
- Guide the day-to-day work of a junior team member, supporting their development and feedback skills.
- Coordinate input from internal and external partners across multiple projects, keeping approvals and next steps clear.
- Share product knowledge and market awareness with the wider team, and support a collaborative, organised team culture.
Process and organisation
- Maintain accurate approval records, sample trackers and project status reports.
- Use internal approval systems and product development tools consistently.
- Help improve ways of working across creative review, approvals and sample management.
- Balance multiple brands, partners and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
About you
- Experience in softlines product development, fashion design, apparel development, licensed consumer products, retail product development or a related role.
- A good eye for fashion, product and detail, and judgement on whether a product feels right creatively, commercially and technically.
- Able to give clear written and verbal feedback on graphics, shape, colour, materials, trims, print methods, construction, packaging and range coherence.
- Understand how to balance creative ambition with brand requirements, production reality, retail needs and price points.
- Comfortable working across multiple brands, partners, categories and markets at once.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, and know how to influence, guide and problem-solve constructively.
- Comfortable supporting the work of others — through mentoring, project leadership, creative guidance or cross-functional collaboration. Formal line management experience is welcome but not essential.
Experience and skills
Essential
- Experience in fashion, apparel, accessories, footwear, lifestyle products, licensed consumer products or a related softlines category.
- Understanding of product development from concept through to approval or production.
- Experience with licensed product approvals or brand assurance processes.
- Good knowledge of fashion trends, consumer behaviour and retail across EMEA.
- Able to review submissions and give clear creative, commercial and technical feedback.
- Good presentation, organisation and communication skills.
- Able to manage multiple projects, partners and deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Comfortable working with creative assets, style guides, samples, trend references and approval systems, and with licensees, agents, retailers and internal stakeholders.
Useful but not essential
- Experience with entertainment, gaming, toy, character, lifestyle or fandom-led brands.
- Experience supporting fashion collaborations, capsule collections, retail exclusives or DTR programmes.
- Experience using licensed product approval systems or product development tracking tools.
- Knowledge of sustainability, ethical sourcing, compliance or quality standards in softlines.
We Play to Win with our Leadership values:
- Knowing is Half the Battle
- Break the Mold
- Take Charge
- Be Legendary
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Employees may be eligible for annual and long-term incentives as part of their overall compensation package, depending on role, location, and eligibility. Benefits and programs may include:
- Health & Wellness
- Time Off to Recharge
- Financial Well-being
- Life & Family Support
- Volunteer and Community Initiatives
- Learning & Development
- Exclusive Perks
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