Sr. Manager, Operations: Original Merchandise

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. 

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com.

Get to know the role

• Job Title: Sr. Manager, Operations: Original Merchandise

• Job Summary: The Sr. Manager, Operations for Original Merchandise, is a senior leader responsible for the multi year vision, roadmap, and business outcomes of our Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) ecosystem. You will lead cross functional execution that improves speed, data quality, and decision making across design, development, sourcing, production, legal, and operations. As the operational leader for PLM, you’ll define the operating model, standardize workflows, drive adoption, and ensure the platform delivers measurable value to our merchandise portfolio.

• FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt

• People Manager: Yes

 

What you’ll do

• PLM Strategy and Ownership

  • Set the multi‑year PLM strategy and roadmap aligned to merchandising and operational priorities; balance platform health with value‑driving enhancements.

  • Define the PLM operating model (governance, roles, decision rights, intake/prioritization) across categories and regions.

  • Establish North‑Star KPIs (e.g., time‑to‑market, capacity, data quality, adoption, automation) and run a regular business review cadence.

• Process Excellence

  • Map and optimize end‑to‑end product workflows in PLM (spec/BOM, sample tracking, change control, approvals, compliance gates).

  • Eliminate bottlenecks and manual workarounds; codify best practices and reusable templates that scale.

  • Ensure customer/partner feedback loops are embedded to continuously improve product development velocity and quality.

• PLM Platform Ownership and Delivery

  • Own the backlog, prioritization, and release plan; lead discovery, requirements, UAT, and deployment for new capabilities.

  • Partner with IT to maintain reliability, performance, and integrations (ERP, PIM/MDM, CAD/Design, labeling/packaging, analytics).

  • Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and roadmap alignment; drive value realization from third‑party solutions.

• Data, Reporting and Governance

  • Define and enforce data standards (product hierarchy, attributes, validations, ownership) to ensure accurate, trusted product data.

  • Partner with analytics to deliver dashboards that reveal cycle times, bottlenecks, and value; use insights to guide prioritization.

• People Leadership & Change Management

  • Lead and develop a high‑performing team (product owners, analysts, project/program managers).

  • Drive change management and adoption — readiness plans, training, enablement content, office hours, and feedback mechanisms.

  • Communicate clearly at all levels, from executive outcomes and trade‑offs to frontline how‑to guidance and release notes.

               

What you’ll bring

• Ten+ (10) years in merchandise/product operations, product development, business systems ownership.

• Three (3) – five (5) years leading teams (manager or manager-of-managers).

• Hands‑on ownership of a PLM platform (e.g., FlexPLM, Centric, Windchill, Oracle) including roadmapping, configuration oversight, and release management.

• Proven record leading cross‑functional programs and influencing senior stakeholders; strong vendor and budget management.

• Demonstrated strength in process design, data governance, and analytics; turns insights into measurable outcomes.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision‑making skills under ambiguity.

• Domain experience in consumer products, apparel, toys/licensing, or retail merchandise.

• Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma/PDCA and modern product methods (Agile/SAFe, product discovery).

• Experience with PLM <-> ERP/PIM/CAD integrations and change control/compliance frameworks.

 

Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $140,902 - $187,475 per year. The full range is $140,902 - $253,782  per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.  
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve. 
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.  
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

 

What to expect

• An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
• Generous paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
• UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Commuter benefit.
• LinkedIn learning.
• Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
• Hybrid work environment.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at accommodationrequest_ta@pokemon.com.