CREATIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER

Description

Creative Operations Manager Wanted Who is a Process Leader

Toysmith, an entrepreneurial, visionary company, is looking for a Creative Operations Manager. 

Are you an organized, direct and analytical person comfortable taking the lead? 

Would people describe you as solution oriented and highly reliable? 

Are you known for your ability to execute within your area of expertise with a pension for processes? 

Most people don’t know it, but your gift for process, problem-solving and bringing projects to perfect resolve has always been unparalleled. Toysmith is going all in to find the right detailed, orchestrator serve as our Creative Operations Manager. Apply if that’s you, as the odds are in your favor.

Part inquisitive, part process-driven, results-focused leader, your work is never officially done. The pursuit of excellence keeps you going. The Creative Operations Manager we need to join our team is bound by a sense of duty. Their word is their bond. If your quest for detail, accuracy and work ethic has often gone unnoticed, unappreciated or held you back it’s time to make a change. We’re growing, expanding markets, and starting new ventures.

We know your type well, and you’re in demand. If providing the team tools to succeed, workflow management, determining work allocations between in-house and outsourced subject matter experts, coordinating timely delivery of marketing collateral, and continuous improvement light your fire – look no further. Creative process coordination and helping teams rise to meet challenges is your Zen. Special project management is a bonus. For the right candidates this isn’t a job, it’s a calling.

If you have a thirst for leadership in a talented and professional Creative environment, take a risk and take charge of your career today. Come succeed with Toysmith.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Toysmith is seeking a Creative Operations Manager to lead the Creative team consisting of Art Directors, Graphic Designers, Project Managers, Creatives in Toysmith satellite offices and any outsourced Creative agencies. While some previous design experience is required, the primary responsibilities of this individual will be to develop new processes, programs, and workflows to maximize operational efficiencies within the Creative department. The role will include analyzing every step of creative process as it exists today at Toysmith and implementing innovative solutions to save time and money and remove hurdles for the Creative team to be successful. 

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

1. Provide clear direction to Design team on all high-level Toysmith strategic business initiatives.
2. Define, evaluate, and implement new processes and technology needs. 
3. Manage all Toysmith creative assets including their naming conventions, method of organization, means of storage and retrieval and efficient dissemination to all internal and external platforms (i.e.- NetSuite, Shopify, marketplaces, customer needs).
4. Responsible for the integration of creative assets into company-wide Enterprise systems and maintaining the accuracy and integrity of all creative assets throughout all additional company systems and platforms.
5. Work closely with Project Management on the integration of creative assets and needs into product development cycles. 
6. Accountable for deadlines for all creative projects (working jointly with the Project Manager).
7. Responsible for tracking creative production costs responsible for keeping the creative team on budget and finding any potential sources of wasted funds.
8. Serve as liaison between the Creative team and the rest of the Toysmith cross-functional teams, including the executive leadership team when necessary.
9. Contract out design resources as needed, including graphic design, video production, photography, and mock-up creation.
10. Optimize all documentation used by the Creative Team and other Toysmith teams for ease of use and tracking, including but not limited to creative briefs, approval/routing systems and standardization documents.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS:

• Experience in working with Director Leadership level associates.
• Comfortable making business cases for departmental or capital expenditures. 
• Operate with the highest level of conduct, integrity, and confidentiality, setting the example for leaders and teammates.
• Develop and nurture strong cross functional partnerships, driving business results and inspiring a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
• Recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent that delivers performance excellence.
• Serve as a leader of company culture, norms, and conduct.
• Ability to balance a strong management presence with an elevated level of approachability, encouraging and eliciting teammate feedback and interaction.
• Maintain strong working relationships with peers, especially in Product Development, Compliance, Marketing, Sales, Sourcing, and other leaders that collectively deliver Toysmith product to our customers.
• Market the Creative Team’s capabilities as their chief spokesperson 

Requirements

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• 5 years advertising agency, marketing departments or similar experience 
• 2 years successfully leading creative or similar teams
• Bachelor of Design degree (or relevant equivalent) preferred but not required
• Experience operating in cross-functional organizations
• A strong forward-thinking and inventive mind with the ability to develop actionable concepts together with teams 
• Strong people manager with an adaptive personality and an open-minded and reciprocal approach who can easily work with all levels of the organization 
• Experienced user of graphic design software in a MAC and PC environment - Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and other graphic design, office product and artistic software programs

Preferred Knowledge, SKILLS, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience with developing Creative operational efficiencies. 
• Experience in the toy industry or related consumer packaged goods business with similar retail channel framework
• Experience communicating and negotiating with overseas and domestic brand partners and licensors.