Product Manager, Costumes
12-week Contract
Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA
Overview
TalentoHC has partnered with a leading toy company in Los Angeles looking for a 12-week contract Product Manager for their Costumes department. Under the supervision of the Creative Director, design and develop imaginative and production-ready costumes for original and licensed toy characters. Serve as a creative liaison, coordinating efforts across internal teams, licensors, and manufacturers to ensure brand integrity and high-quality execution. This is a hands-on role, managing projects through all stages—from conceptualization to prototype review. The position functions as a Costume Designer for both brand-owned and partner IPs, with a strong emphasis on character storytelling, visual consistency, and manufacturability. Work includes adapting existing style guides into tangible costume designs, reviewing samples, and preparing designs for licensor approvals and production.
Responsibilities
- Design and conceptualize costumes for original and licensed toy characters.
- Adhere to visual style guides and brand guidelines for licensed IPs.
- Translate character concepts into sketches, renderings, and technical drawings.
- Collaborate with licensors, internal creative, marketing, and production teams.
- Present designs to licensors and stakeholders, clearly communicating creative intent.
- Support licensor approval processes by revising artwork and maintaining brand fidelity.
- Select materials and embellishments that align with safety, budget, and production needs.
- Review and provide feedback on costume samples and prototypes.
- Coordinate across departments to ensure designs are manufacturable and audience-appropriate.
- Stay current on design, toy, and pop culture trends to inform design direction.
- Create and maintain technical documentation and production-ready art files.
- Support testing, quality checks, and iteration cycles pre-production.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- BA or BS in Costume Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, or related field.
- 3–5 years of relevant design experience in toys, entertainment, fashion, or licensed consumer products.
- Strong portfolio showcasing costume or character-based design work.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and related digital design tools.
- Excellent sketching, rendering, and visual storytelling ability.
- Understanding of garment construction, materials, and production processes.
- Familiarity with style guides and brand standards, especially in licensing.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation development.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong team collaboration skills; experience interfacing with licensors and external partners is preferred.
- Knowledge of toy safety regulations and cost considerations is a plus
- Some project management experience preferred
- Must be comfortable maintaining confidentiality regarding proprietary designs and product plans.
- Willingness to travel domestically, if required.
Pay Rate (Commensurate with Experience): $40 – $50/hr
About Talento Human Capital (TalentoHC):
TalentoHC is a leading talent acquisition, executive search, and human capital consulting partner, dedicated to helping our clients build their best teams yet. Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, embracing individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Talento Human Capital is an equal opportunity employer.
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