Samples Administrator

Company Description

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 fans, entertain audiences 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 Samples Administration team is responsible for samples support by ordering, coordinating, tracking and delivery of production and prototype samples needed for shows, events, TV shoots, and special meetings. Our commitment is to provide consistent support, while maintaining the integrity of Mattel’s Intellectual property.

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

The Samples Administrator acts as a liaison between El Segundo Marketing, Packaging, Design/Development teams, Asia samples team and plant representatives. We facilitate the distribution of samples among sales, marketing, advertising agencies, International and Domestic shows. The team is responsible for supporting the sample’s needs for the following:

• Customer Previews Meetings
• Toy Fairs
• International Shows
• TV Shoots (Domestic and International)
• Internal meetings between sales and marketing
• Licensor and customer meetings and road shows

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Support internal meetings/Customer Previews/Toy Fairs/Comicon/TV shoots/licensing/roadshows/etc.

• Populate product matrix on SharePoint with information collected from Line Lists/LPT reports (line planning tool).
• Set up meetings with Marketing, Design, Development and Packaging to determine event needs.
• Update the Samples matrix with all requirements.
• Drive all communication and coordination between US teams and Asia counterparts to identify what can be fulfilled and when samples will be available.
• Coordinate and work with teams in El Segundo if we need to borrow CR (concept review)/FPR (final product review) or Prelim models.
• When available, order production or pre-production samples from manufacturing plants.

Support Spring & Fall TV shoot events

• Shoot requirements are delivered to administrators via ad-agency or Marketing and we enter information into a standardized TV shoot matrix.
• Create RFP (request for product) orders from plants for items at PP (pre-production) stage or later, and work with Asia partners for prototype samples that are sometimes used for pre-production planning.
• Receive products from all locations.
• Call meeting of Marketing/Design/Development/Packaging and work around their schedules to have all samples verified and approved prior to shipping to ad agency.
• Work with local and global partners to order/repair items deemed unfit for TV shoot.
• Pack and ship samples to TV shoot.

Licensing/Entertainment and other road shows and events

• Receive product requests from Marketing/Sales and process orders either with models from gallery or order from plants/Asia model shop.

International Markets toy shows

• Coordinate and communicate with Asia

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Associate’s degree or 2-4 years of related job experience
• Confidence to lead meetings
• Strong proficiency in Excel
• Understanding manufacturing processes
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Possesses thought leadership and forward thinking to understand future needs and leverage technologies to drive efficiency in samples management
• Strong communication skills

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with project management
• Working in SharePoint

Key Skills:

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills.
• Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage multiple product lines/teams simultaneously.
• Work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively via Office tools including Word/Outlook/PowerPoint/Excel
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The base hourly rate for this position is between $30,80 and $38,50.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base hourly rate will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.

Additional Information

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations 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 and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold 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 generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

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, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights