Manager, Merchandise Production

About the Role & Team:

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives. From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world!

The Manager, Merchandise Production will work in partnership with the Senior Manager, Merchandise Production to be a center of excellence for merchandise manufacturing and supplier performance. This role will act as a manager for one or more divisions within the production management team. Partners will include Global Supply Chain, Sourcing & Development, Merchandise, and buying regions. They will support the Director and Senior Manager as needed in setting a vision, strategy and priorities with the goal of creating a transparent and proactive production management team. This will be accomplished by using manufacturing data to measure performance to establish KPI’s that will drive continuous improvement in ordering, manufacturing and quality.

 You will guide your team of individual contributors to utilize data and analytics to drive strategies to increase efficiency across all markets and distribution channels. The Manager, Merchandise Production will partner with Disney Cast Members across the globe to manage 400+ suppliers that provide merchandise for Parks Product Development & Branded Retail.

You will report to the Senior Manager, Merchandise Production.

This is a Full-Time role.

What You Will Do:

Production Management

• Manage leaders and individual contributors responsible for supplier engagement and milestone adherence, including:

  • Aggregation and acceptance of orders across business units

  • Production tracking and performance reporting

  • In-season responsiveness to evolving business needs

• Lead your division(s) for efforts related to production triggers/WIPs, capacity planning, production progress reporting, and shipment issue resolution across regions.

• Manage and oversee in season push/chase/cancel requests and troubleshoot and communicate any production delays and challenges.

• Evaluate ways of working and develop plans for efficiency in monitoring data and communicating with partners that are consistent across the team.

• Implement division-level strategies grounded in KPIs to drive continuous improvement with suppliers and the Merchandise Production team. As needed, help build those strategies in partnership with the Senior Manager.

• Prepare any standard or ad-hoc reports as requested (timing and action calendars, production timelines, status updates, etc.).

• Own evaluating suppliers through the PO/production process. Partner with Global Supply Chain and Development Sourcing teams to determine long-term strategies and supplier positioning for the business.

• Oversee resolution of critical quality issues, guiding the team through cross-functional alignment, supplier negotiations, and collaboration with the Quality Assurance team.

Mentor Talent

• Create and uphold clear expectations for each Cast Member that fosters individual growth and accountability.

• Motivate and lead the team members through all aspects of supplier strategies and long-term planning.

• Lead and direct employee development, engagement and diversity to promote a culture of collaboration and organizational vibrancy.

Collaboration and Communication

• Use knowledge of our products to manage the needs of diverse partners and ensure collaboration with cross-functional teams and vendors.

• Lead your division(s) with Development Sourcing and Production Management to ensure effective handoffs at time of PO.

• Drive effective collaboration between Merchandise Production and Quality Assurance teams to ensure seamless levels of service to the business during production timeframes.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 4+ years of significant, proven experience leading merchandise sourcing, development, and/or other retail or manufacturing-driven teams

• Experience gaining credibility and trust with diverse partners

• Have a working knowledge of international labor and regulatory standards and other established supplier performance schemes

• Achieve continuous improvement and a focus on efficiency and scale

• Robust leadership and talent development abilities and a collaborative and effective management style

• Retail leadership experience at a global level

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Product Development, Product Design, Business or Supply Chain preferred

This position will be located in Kissimmee, FL.

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits. 

#LI-MG3

#DCPJobs