Associate, Inventor Relations

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The purpose of Inventor Relations (IR) is to manage the relationships between our outside inventor community and our internal brand teams.

Throughout the year, inventors submit toy and game concepts to Mattel, and IR continuously shares those ideas with our brand teams (Barbie/Dolls, Hot Wheels, Games, Action Figures, Plush, Fisher-Price) to gauge interest. Toy and game ideas are submitted via our online portal, during virtual meetings and at our live events.

IR manages ongoing communications, meetings, shipping of models, contract negotiations, payments, reporting – everything needed for a successful experience.

“Relations” is the key to what we do, and we pride ourselves on being the best IR team in the entire industry.

The Opportunity: 

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Inventor Relations, the IR Associate will serve as a liaison between cross-functional internal teams (Design, Engineering, Legal) and the external inventor community through the concept submission process for Fisher Price brands.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Project Management

• Plan and/or participate in all Fisher Price IR related meetings (bi-weekly ICM, Brand Alignment Meetings, Sweeps, On-site meetings, Events) including meeting management in the Inventor Connect platform and Microsoft Outlook.
• Create core bi-weekly ICM concept review presentations and brand status presentations. Take notes during the meeting and help to formulate feedback and next steps back to the inventors.
• Support Manager and Legal Team with claims research and conducting prior art searches for new Royalty Agreements.
• Fulfill sample requests from inventors on an as-needed basis.
• Manage the receipt and shipping of models from inventors.
• Manage the onboarding process for all new inventors to Inventor Connect.

Contract Administration and Reporting

• Review and confirm Inventor Royalty Bearing SKU reports provided by Finance. 
• Gather and provide SKU verification information to Legal.
• Bi-weekly updates of Dashboard Reports – Royalty, Hold, Development agreements and all financials.
• Process check requests for all Royalty, Hold and Development Agreements. Request required documentation (business profile, banking, W-9) from new inventors for supplier set-up with procurement & supplier maintenance departments. Upload payment details to appropriate Inventor Connect submission record.
• Track and manage Hold Agreement windows to ensure timely payments and unnecessary extension.

What We’re Looking For:

• 3-5 years related project management experience, Toy or Consumer Products preferred.
• Superior organizational skills and proven project management experience.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to handle a high volume of work while maintaining accuracy, privacy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently well as part of a team.
• Must be a self-starter that has a proactive, collaborative approach to work.
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• Knowledge of use of digital camera, uploading and managing images, videos, etc. 
• Computer proficiency; MS PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Some travel required.
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
What It’s Like to Work Here:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best in class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel is recognized for the second year in a row as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.
Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.