F&B Product Development Mgr

About the Role & Team

The Food and Beverage Product Development Manager is part of the Experience Optimization Team which is responsible for playing a pivotal role in revenue generation by developing product, strategies, process, standards and executing operational initiatives to enhance the Guest experience and grow operational income.

This position reports to the Disneyland Resort F&B Sr. Manager, Novelty Development and will lead graphic and design initiatives to enhance experiential storytelling through the development of highly creative, innovative Novelty products (i.e. Popcorn buckets, Sippers, Ceramic Drinkware), Disposable program (Popcorn Scoops, Drink and Plateware), and other compelling designs to enhance the experience and sale of Food and Beverage for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Disney Cruise Line.

What You Will Do:

• Design and develop a wide range of approximately 150+ Food and Beverage specific Novelty products per year that are highly engaging and tell a powerful story for Guests of all ages.
• Responsible for design development from concept through final artwork. 

• Articulate/Provide design intent (3D turns, sculpts and/or drawings) with Food and Beverage requirements (adhering to all Food and Beverage and company safety and food safety requirements). 

• May use visual sketches/images to communicate ideas that inspire Novelty development to partners, contract artists and vendors. 

• Ensure graphic and design excellence by maintaining integrity and leading artistic and creative direction. 

• Perform research using Disney IP, studio screenings, books, style guides, and various other avenues to ensure all developed materials meet the appropriate style, timeframe, storyline, and quality required. 

• Coordinate and partner closely with vendors, contract artists, concept teams, (Disney, WDI, Pixar, Marvel, Lucas and Tim Burton), Legal, Brand and other content specialists on new development to ensure overall Synergy, Brand and IP (intellectual property) are met. 

• • Submits all design concepts and attains design approvals from Lucas, Pixar, Marvel, Tim Burton, etc. 

• Use Graphic Design software, practical sketching abilities, and creative expertise to produce graphic art and visual materials used in the development of new products, signage, displays, packaging, presentations, etc. 

• Contribute to highly collaborative brainstorming sessions to ideate and build new concepts with creative story tie-in enhance the Guest engagement and drive revenue for Food and Beverage. 

• Benchmark and research guest trends and competitive markets. Seeks out and applies knowledge of new trends and innovation to enhance Novelty products. 

• Able to present creative concepts on both formal and informal settings. 

• Collaborates with 3 - 5 contract artists to create/design elevated, relevant art that builds upon the story telling of Novelty and Disposable products. 

• Review/ approve /acquire approvals for all art that may be applied to any food and beverage item using Disney owned IP/design (Cups, Plateware, smallware's, disposables, digital art for Cakes, branding Irons, waffle irons, etc.). 

• Coordinate and manage project timelines and concept deliverables to achieve key milestones, maintain design integrity and deliver projects on time and within budget while considering operational and logistical impacts. 

• Perform design development of Domestic Theme Park Food and Beverage specific disposable products, incorporating Corporate Alliance partners as applicable (i.e. cups, paper plates, wrappers, coasters, etc.) 

• Partner closely with Corporate Alliance partners to incorporate design standard criteria based on agreed upon parameters. 

• Partner with Strategic Sourcing on vendor requirements and/or warehouse needs. 

• Organize and track all legal, brand, corporate policy and compliance approvals for Art Design Development for specific projects. 

• Oversee press checks and print approvals, ensuring design integrity and color accuracy. Have a strong understanding of print production process, color separation process, print checks and print methods listed below – May require travel to approve print prior to production. 

• • Flexography 

• • Offset Lithography 

• • Digital 

• • Screen Print 

• • UV Print 

• • Pad Print, etc.

• Work closely with Logistics Project Manager to ensure all projects are tracking and timelines are met for timely delivery. 

• Establish relationships with domestic and international Site Integration Leaders on novelty development and synergy opportunities at each site.

• Additional partnerships include Strategic Sourcing, Vendors, Safety, Product Integrity, Compliance, Site Integration Managers, and Warehouse Logistics Teams.

• Participates in a monthly Franchise/Synergy meeting and provides LOB perspective for novelty development and other Corporate Synergy initiatives.

• Lead cross-functional partner meetings to maintain open communication, track deliverables, and keep product development on track to meet critical milestones.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Strong team player that exhibits ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness.

• Strong communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation).

• Strong strategic, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Proven ability to lead and influence change across an organization, including influence audiences across all levels within the organization.

• Ability to influence internal and external partners through the process of Ideation, development, and implementation.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing projects, driving accountability, and aligning diverse teams toward shared goals and key milestones.

• Self-motivated and able to convey an appropriate sense of urgency while identifying opportunities, developing alternatives, and recommending solutions to complicated business issues in a self-sufficient and highly collaborative environment. 

• Proven ability and experience to multitask a variety of projects with multiple timelines.

• Skilled in the following software programs: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Acrobat Suite, InDesign, BOX, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft TEAMs, Office 365, Smartsheet, SAP, DisneySendit, SlingShot. Adapting tools as they change.

• Experience and knowledge in hard good 3D Product Development, Graphic design and Graphic design software.

• In-depth experience and proven track record in project management, developing and leading large-scale projects and change.

• Traditional art required – must be able to illustrate by hand and provide concepts to the team as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive responsibility of graphic design and art, with illustration experience.

• 5+ years with the Walt Disney Company or proven extensive knowledge of the Walt Disney Company brand.

• Experience in a creative role.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred Education:

• Degree in Graphic Design/Art or other related field.

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.

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in California is $94,600.00-$130,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Disneyland Resort.

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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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