Production & Manufacturing Manager (Figurines & Toys) — China

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Language Skills

• French: a plus
• English: international and technical working language
• Mandarin (Chinese): full professional proficiency (oral and written) is mandatory to negotiate directly with local project managers, engineers, and factory directors without intermediaries

Experience & Technical Skills

• Industry experience: minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in the toy, collectible figurine, or high-end merchandise industry
• Manufacturing processes: strong knowledge of injection molding, rotomolding, painting techniques (spray painting, pad printing, decals), and manual assembly
• Problem solving: ability to quickly identify the root cause of technical defects (e.g., weld lines, thermal warping, fit issues) and propose corrective actions to the factory

Personal Attributes

• Technical rigor and sharp attention to detail (essential for collectible figurines)
• Strong negotiation skills and cross-cultural diplomacy
• Autonomy and responsiveness to production contingencies

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Follow-up & Industrialization

• Prototype validation: supervise the transition from prototype (resin, 3D printing) to industrial tooling (plastic injection molds)
• Launch management: coordinate T1/T2 phases (mold trials), validate paint masters (Golden Samples), and oversee the launch of mass production
• Schedule adherence: lead production schedules with Chinese factories to guarantee on-time delivery (specifically for commercial launches or major campaigns)

Sourcing & Supplier Negotiation

• Supplier portfolio management: identify, evaluate, and audit new manufacturers (OEM/ODM) specialized in figurines (PVC, ABS, resin, vinyl) and toys
• Negotiation: negotiate tooling costs, unit prices (COGS), and payment terms (deposits, balances)

Quality, Standards & Compliance

• Quality assurance (QA/QC): define quality standards, draft technical specifications, and organize During Production (DUPRO) and Pre-Shipment (PSI) inspections
• Regulatory compliance: ensure products comply with international toy standards (e.g., EN71 in Europe, ASTM/CPSIA in North America) and coordinate testing with certified laboratories (SGS, Intertek, BV)

Supply Chain & Logistics

• International logistics: oversee order preparation, packaging (drop tests / packaging compliance), and coordinate with freight forwarders for export (FOB, CIF, etc.)