JapanLA is hiring a Product Designer.
We are a retail store featuring Japanese Pop Culture toys, gifts, and apparel, featuring Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, and other kawaii character brands from Japan and Los Angeles.
We are looking for a team member who is passionate about kawaii goods and licensed characters, who can design, create, and develop official licensed merchandise.
This includes handling Licensor and manufacturer schedules, guidelines, approvals, and other requirements.
DUTIES:
Lead product development to include mood boards, mock-up designs, and beginning product concept designs.
Design, set up, and approve art files for production.
Design lifestyle collections that include multiple product categories.
Design supervision including the recruitment and negotiation with staff, freelance and factory designers.
Licensor relations, including submission of art/designs for approvals, requesting materials, and obtaining and distributing samples,
Utilize category and consumer insights to help team identify sales opportunities, drive innovation in product development, and monitoring and reporting on trends.
Create production schedules for Purchasing Manager oversight.
Coordinate and monitor all JLA product development projects.
Prepare and distribute royalty reports to partners.
Administer a smooth-running, efficient, and cost-effective product development department.
Other duties as necessary from time to time.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Experience in a prior product development or design role
Deep familiarity with Japanese pop culture and franchise titles
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Power Point/Word and design development software
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Driven, collaborative, team player motivated to take responsibility and ensure successful outcomes
Excellent ability to prioritize assignments and ability to pivot and adjust quickly to scheduling and creative direction changes.
Exceptional sense of urgency, with strong aptitude for learning and problem-solving
Self-starter with great organizational skills, ability to multi-task, work in fast-paced environment, all without close supervision or direction.
Status: Hourly, Non-exempt
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Supplemental Pay:
Bonus pay
COVID-19 considerations:
We are currently closed for in-store shopping.
We offer curbside pick up, online and livestream shopping.
All staff wear masks on the premises.
Education:
Bachelor’s (Preferred)
Experience:
Graphic design: 1 year (Preferred)
Fashion design: 1 year (Preferred)
Adobe Illustrator: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: One location