Plush Product Development Manager

Employment Type: Full-time

Japanese language ability required — Expert-level Japanese and English proficiency is required for product development coordination, documentation, and communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Company Overview

A global entertainment and consumer products organization develops high-quality character merchandise for customers worldwide. The company works with internal creative, production, and quality teams and external manufacturing partners to bring branded products from concept through production.

Position Summary

Lead the development and approval of plush merchandise from concept through production, ensuring products meet brand, quality, cost, manufacturability, and timeline requirements. This role requires strong plush and/or 3D product development experience and expert-level Japanese and English for cross-functional and vendor communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plush product development from concept through production sample approval.
• Evaluate prototypes and samples for quality, construction, materials, character accuracy, and consumer appeal.
• Provide vendors with clear feedback to improve quality and manufacturability.
• Create concept sketches, development artwork, and technical illustrations as needed.
• Coordinate with internal teams, external partners, and overseas manufacturers.
• Manage multiple projects while balancing quality, cost, and schedules.
• Identify development risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Translate product development documents, review feedback, and business communications between Japanese and English.
• Improve development standards, review guidelines, and team processes.
• Maintain product samples, development records, and project documentation.

Qualifications

Required:

• 3–5 years of professional plush, toy, or 3D consumer product development experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Expert-level Japanese and English proficiency required for product development and stakeholder communication.
• Strong knowledge of product construction, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards.
• Ability to evaluate product quality, character accuracy, and consumer appeal.
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management, organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Confluence.

Preferred:

• Product Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, or related education/experience.
• Ability to create concept sketches, development artwork, and technical illustrations.
• Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop proficiency.
• Character-based consumer product development experience.
• Strong interest in creating high-quality character merchandise.