Overview
Surreal Entertainment is seeking a highly driven Product Development & Sourcing Manager to lead the end-to-end development of licensed consumer products. This role sits at the intersection of creative, licensing, and manufacturing, requiring a hands-on operator who can move quickly from concept to shelf while maintaining quality, cost, compliance, and brand integrity.
Key Responsibilities
· Own the full product lifecycle from concept through production and delivery across multiple categories including impulse, home, beverageware, novelty, and consumables
· Source product, packaging, and related components across a global vendor network
· Work directly with overseas factories and vendors to develop, refine, and produce products at scale
· Manage domestic consumables purchasing, including sourcing, vendor management, and regulatory awareness
· Manage factory and vendor relationships with a focus on cost, quality, speed, and innovation
· Lead product development timelines ensuring all milestones are met, including internal reviews, licensor approvals, and production deadlines
· Negotiate pricing, MOQs, tooling costs, and terms with factories and domestic vendors to meet margin targets
· Translate licensing requirements and style guides into manufacturable products while maintaining brand accuracy
· Work closely with licensing, sales, and creative teams to align product strategy with market opportunities and retailer needs
· Identify and execute on emerging product and pop culture trends, bringing new ideas proactively to the team
Compliance, Packaging & Pre-Production Oversight
· Review presentations, packaging, and product samples for accuracy, compliance, and brand alignment, providing clear feedback and direction for revisions
Create and maintain pre-shipment checklists for all customers, including building new checklists for new accounts, reviewing vendor manual updates, and updating existing checklists on a regular cadence
· Manage pre-shipment approval processes for both domestic and international production, including daily compliance reviews prior to goods leaving the factory
· Coordinate quality control and testing processes in partnership with internal teams and third-party labs
· Work directly with testing and compliance partners including ITS, V-Trust, FDA, USDA, CPSC, and other regulatory bodies as needed
· Ensure all packaging and products meet legal and retailer requirements including labeling, warnings, UPCs, battery information, and required compliance markings
· Oversee and track all required testing for U.S., U.K., and other applicable markets, ensuring products meet all regulatory standards prior to shipment
· Stay current on evolving compliance requirements and retailer standards through ongoing research and participation in industry workshops
Operational Execution
· Oversee the full sampling process including prototyping, revisions, and final approvals
· Troubleshoot production challenges and implement solutions quickly without disrupting timelines
· Maintain detailed tracking of projects, approvals, costing, compliance status, and production progress across multiple SKUs simultaneously
· Travel as needed to factories, trade shows, and partner meetings
Required Skills & Experience
· 5+ years in product development, sourcing, or manufacturing within consumer products, preferably in licensed or pop culture categories
· Proven experience working with overseas factories and vendors
· Experience with domestic consumables sourcing and purchasing, including understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements
· Strong working knowledge of product testing, compliance standards, and retail/vendor manuals
· Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
· Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated success improving cost structures and terms
· Deep understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and product construction across multiple categories
· Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interface with licensors, factories, testing labs, and internal teams
· High level of accountability with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset
· Willingness and availability to travel as required
What Will Set You Apart
· Strong instinct for product trends and pop culture relevance
· Ability to balance speed with structure and maintain momentum across multiple timelines
· Natural focus on margins and cost optimization without sacrificing quality
· Strong product intuition with the ability to improve concepts for manufacturability and retail success
· Resilience under pressure with the ability to adapt quickly and make decisions in real time
· A strong sense of taste and understanding of what will resonate with fans and retailers
Optional but High Value
· Experience with novelty or impulse-driven products
· Existing factory and vendor relationships
· Trade show experience such as Toy Fair or ASD
· Familiarity with major retailer compliance requirements
· Experience working with major licensors
Closing Note
This role is not suited for someone who prefers slow-moving or highly structured environments. Success requires urgency, adaptability, and the ability to operate effectively with incomplete information.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
