Product Innovation Associate

About Us

About the Company

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

Fanatics Collectibles (and Topps) has long been an innovator in the card manufacturing industry. We offer our customers a comprehensive mix of special effects finishing, collation, and packaging techniques to make even the most challenging of projects come to life.

Reporting to the Innovation Project Manager, the Product Innovation Associate will support the development and execution of the product innovation agenda. The Associate will research technologies that could improve performance, reduce cost, or enhance the consumer experience, and will work alongside operations and support teams to coordinate potential projects and help deliver expected results.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in identifying and developing innovative new products, platforms, and processes aligned to market and business needs.
• Support test projects from planning through completion, working with teams across the organization to help ensure objectives meet standards for quality, repeatability, and scalability for required production quantities.
• Provide regular project updates to the Innovation Project Manager, and other cross-functional stakeholders, escalating risks and challenges as appropriate.
• Analyze data and market trends to generate insights that support the innovation process.
• Schedule, prepare for, and participate in Product Innovation meetings; facilitate portions of meetings as assigned.
• Research options for materials and equipment needs for individual innovations.
• Support engagement with outside vendors on technology and execution needs.
• Coordinate with internal departments on technology needs and project requirements.
• Support trials of new technologies across applicable processes to help identify potential failure points within the manufacturing process.
• Document processes, order of operations, test results, and materials for each innovation.
• Maintain an organized library of new technologies, innovations, and related documentation.
• Assist with problem solving technical challenges experienced during manufacturing processes.

Education, Experience and Requirements: 

• Bachelors’ degree in design or engineering and/or equivalent work experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in pre-press, design, print, print finishing, manufacturing, or related production environments preferred.
• Exposure to project management, Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or business analysis principles preferred.
• 1-3 years of operations, manufacturing, product development, or related experience preferred.
• English language domain (bilingual with Spanish a plus).
• Experience collaborating with or coordinating across multifunctional teams.
• Curiosity and a problem-solving mindset, with the ability to support project plans, timelines, and roadmaps.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates analytical skills.
• Experience with project management tools.
• Highly organized with excellent time management abilities.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments or project workstreams as needed.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and influence outcomes through clear communication and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a project or operational team.
• Results-oriented, with developing project coordination and project management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and plan work according to business requirements and deadlines.
• Self-driven, curious, and willing to seek out learning opportunities and take initiative within assigned responsibilities.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-up practices.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in an administrative office setting along with interaction within the production facility.
• Must be flexible and available to work extended hours when necessary.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

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