Licensing, Softlines Manager - Cook & Dine, Furniture & Decor

About the role

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives. From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world.

Come be Part of the Story as the Licensing, Softlines Manager . You will oversee the growth and management of various Home categories, including Cook & Dine, Furniture & Decor. This role is essential in bringing the Disney, Marvel, and Lucas brands to market through innovative products that appeal to our consumers.

You will report to Sr Mgr., NAM Brand Comm., Softlines

{This role will not be managing any direct reports, but will be responsible for managing relationships with licensees }

What you will do:

Finance and Business Planning:

Develop and execute strategic business plans to drive growth for Bedding & Textiles and Craft categories across Disney, Marvel, and Lucas franchises.

Manage and track annual budgets and quarterly forecasts for assigned categories, identifying risks and opportunities to inform decision-making.

Identify and evaluate new business opportunities to support long-term category growth.

Category & Product Management:

Develop and implement category strategies aligned with franchise priorities, consumer insights, and market dynamics.

Collaborate with licensees to launch high-quality, trend-driven products that reflect Disney's brand standards.

Serve as the category expert by staying ahead of trends, competitive landscapes, and retail needs to guide product development and planning.

Oversee the product lifecycle to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and brand requirements.

Retail & Marketing Strategy:

Build and maintain relationships with retail counterparts to secure product placements and maximize opportunities.

Conduct regular store checks and performance reviews to continuously refine product assortments and strategies.

Collaborate with retail and marketing teams to build go-to-market strategies utilizing social media and digital platforms to drive awareness and sales.

Cross-Team Collaboration:

Act as the primary liaison between licensees and internal teams, ensuring alignment across creative, legal, finance, and retail teams.

Provide product and category insights to support marketing campaigns, brand presentations, and sales initiatives.

Collaborate with other teams to identify coordination opportunities.

Manage the licensee portfolio, including contract negotiation, approvals, marketing submissions, and day-to-day communication.

Assist the Senior Manager with contracts, financial analysis, presentations, and other special projects.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Minimum 5 years of experience in licensing or category management, preferably in home categories

Strong understanding of product trends and brand positioning

Knowledge of the retail landscape, including direct-to-consumer and traditional retail

Highly organized with excellent project management skills and attention to detail

Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities

Exceptional communication and collaboration skills

Self-motivated with a positive attitude, able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, high volume of products, and adapt to changing priorities.

Proficient with Microsoft Office; knowledge of Keynote is preferred.

Education:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at .

#DCPJobs

The Walt Disney Company is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. The Parks, Experiences and Products segment includes Disney's iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, a top-rated cruise line, a popular vacation ownership program, and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business across multiple product categories; the world's largest children's publisher; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Parks, Experiences and Products.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $95,500.00-$128,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job ID:

Location: Glendale,California

Job Posting Company: Disney Experiences

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.