"Alerted.org

JOB SUMMARY:

As an Associate Merchandise Product Developer, you will implement the product development steps, encompassing category and creative design, vendor selection and management, and quality execution. You will collaborate closely with Brand, PDS, and ATI teams, ensuring effective communication and financial accountability. Your role involves driving innovation within specific categories to align with the Brand's vision. Your expertise will be pivotal in delivering exceptional products that support our strategic goals

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

+ Product development process implementation: Assists on all aspects of product development steps and product is delivered and ready for point of purchase (including managing art-to-product, sample creation, fit sessions/paint master/tooling, where applicable, social and safety compliance and quality). Coordinates between vendors, suppliers, and Product Design & Development to facilitate kickoffs, submittals, and approvals executed on time.

+ Category & creative design: Follows calendar development timelines and production timing for specific items. Executes seasonal and long-range plans, based on strong understanding of the past and present product performance and landscape. Supports execution of key milestone meetings, working in collaboration with Category Product Manager and Product Design & Development. Maintains data in tracking system – buy plans, assortment sheets – and manages multiple projects per season

+ Vendor selection & management: Supports business model (direct to factory or vendor) and vendor selection, with input and feedback from other team members. Works cross functionally with Product Design & Development to ensure production ready tech packs and control drawings provided to vendor. Monitors production work in progress and manages all reports/working files with vendors for development. Facilitates timely communication with internal and external parties.

+ Sourcing Quality execution: Collaborates closely with the product sourcing team to manage both international and domestic vendors. Engages in strategic negotiations to reduce costs, tariffs, and minimum order quantities, while optimizing the flow of goods. Reviews competitor analysis, benchmarks industry standards, and focuses on practical trends, product innovation, and market dynamics to ensure quality execution.

+ Partnership and Communication: Proactively fosters positive and efficient communication with partners, PDS, Creative, Planning & Operations, vendors, leaders, team members, and IP partners to resolve challenges and achieve objectives.

+ Financial ownership & cost savings: Assists in specific category performance metrics, including per capita (per cap) sales, cost of goods (COG), and inventory goals. Ensures timely delivery to meet these objectives. Actively seeks out and implements cost-saving opportunities to enhance category performance

+ Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree is required.

EXPERIENCE:

+ 2+ years in related. Required experience in retail product development/buying;

+ or equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

+ Requires interaction with global partners outside normal business hours.

+ Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

Universal Orlando Resort. Here you can.

Universal Orlando is an equal opportunity employer. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2025 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. EOE