Head of Product Design – China

Location: Shenzhen, China
Reporting to: General Manager, China
Functional Reporting: Head of Creative, US

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Head of Product Design to lead and build the Product Design function in Shenzhen for a fast-growing global toy company.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving product design from initial concept through development and production, working closely with global Creative, Product Development, Engineering, Quality and Sourcing teams.

The ideal candidate will combine strong creative and product design capabilities with solid knowledge of toy development and manufacturing in China. This is not a pure creative role — we are looking for someone who understands how to translate great ideas into commercially viable, manufacturable products.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead and develop the Product Design team in Shenzhen, establishing the right team structure, capabilities and ways of working.
• Lead product design across multiple toy categories, from early-stage concepts and sketches through design development, sampling and final production.
• Partner closely with the US Creative team to translate global product strategies and creative direction into executable product designs.
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Product Development, Quality, Sourcing and manufacturing partners to ensure designs are innovative, manufacturable, cost-effective and compliant with toy safety requirements.
• Drive design reviews and provide clear creative direction throughout the product development process.
• Understand consumer, category and market trends and translate relevant insights into product concepts and design opportunities.
• Balance creativity, play value, aesthetics, cost and manufacturing feasibility when making design decisions.
• Develop strong working relationships with OEM/ODM manufacturers and suppliers across China and Asia.
• Improve design processes, standards and collaboration between China and global teams.
• Coach and develop designers while building a high-performing and collaborative team culture.

Candidate Profile

• Significant experience in toy product design, industrial design or closely related consumer product categories.
• Strong preference for candidates with direct experience in the global toy industry.
• Proven experience taking physical consumer products from concept to mass production.
• Experience across multiple toy/product categories is highly desirable, including plush, hard plastic, mechanical or interactive products.
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, product development and China-based supplier ecosystems.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing design teams.
• Strong creative judgment combined with a commercial and practical mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across China and global teams.
• High EQ, collaborative leadership style and strong cultural sensitivity.
• Fluent English is essential; Mandarin is highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or above in Industrial Design, Product Design or a related discipline.