Manager, Product Approvals

Brandgenuity is a leading trademark licensing agency with offices in New York, Munich, London, Yokohama, and Hong Kong who is seeking a Licensing Product Approvals Manager to join its Client Service Team in London.

ROLE SUMMARY:

We value talented professionals with a great attitude and a strong desire to make a positive impact at our company. We are looking for an enthusiastic product development specialist whose pro-active mindset will foster efficient approvals and high levels of satisfaction from both the client and our global licensing partners, ensuring licensed products adhere to brand standards and deliver high quality products.

In this role you will be responsible for supporting our Nissan account and a diverse group of licensees across the toy, video games, and lifestyle categories. You will work closely with the Licensing Director to support existing key partners, whilst supporting growth across new category extensions and newly appointed partners.

This role is mostly remote, with a regular office day in London once a week and other meetings as needed (must be commutable).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Licensing Manager is responsible for managing the approval process for Nissan licensees:

1. Accountable for timely product approvals across categories

2. Become an expert in Nissan brands and vehicles to ensure that all licensed products are correct

3. Provide timely and accurate feedback to licensees

4. Ensure that licensees adhere to the approval process

5. Accurately log product feedback in the online approval system and clearly communicate with all parties

6. Assist in the management of licensee management system (new licensee onboarding setup, product approvals, physical samples)

7. When necessary, communicate specific needs and requirements between the client and the licensees; propose solutions and help to reach agreement to meet the client’s brand standards

8. Develop an understanding of each licensee's category and licensed products, including upcoming product launches, marketing campaigns

9. Maintain and manage spreadsheet files including licensee contact information, licensed product item lists and manufacturers

10. Track factory compliance, audit, and Letters of Authorisation

11. Support client and agency business meetings and programming

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of related licensing/brand merchandise work experience
• Experience with automotive/motorsport brands highly desirable
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of core licensing and the product development/ approval process
• Detail oriented with excellent communication skills, confident communicating with global licensees and senior stakeholders
• Ability to adjust to changing business environment
• Proficient in MS Office
• Excellent follow-up, self-starter, problem solver/facilitator, eager to offer ideas/solutions, knows when to seek others' input
• Knowledge of product approval processes and high attention to detail
• Experience with online product approval systems
• Bi-lingual in Japanese and English is an advantage