Amy Cole Connect is hiring: Toy Designer in New York

We are excited to invite an experienced Pet Toy Designer to join our team.

Position Summary

As a Pet Toy Designer, you'll bring innovative and exciting pet toys to life! Your mission will be to design safe, durable, and visually captivating toys that engage dogs and cats and delight their humans. With a keen eye for fabric selection and the latest toy trends, youll transform your ideas into playful, one-of-a-kind creations.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design a variety of pet toys, from traditional to cutting-edge concepts.
• Create detailed sketches, 2D designs, and prototypes to communicate concepts.
• Select and recommend appropriate materials, ensuring durability and safety for dogs.
• Collaborate with product development teams overseas to refine designs and ensure manufacturability.
• Research market trends, consumer preferences, and safety regulations for toy inspiration.
• Ensure all designs meet industry safety standards.
• Participate in toy testing to confirm functionality, durability, and safety.
• Revise designs based on customer feedback and testing results.
• Collaborate with retailers to ensure designs comply with brand guidelines and private label agreements.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Design, Fashion, Toy Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of experience in plush toy or product design within the pet industry REQUIRED.
• Strong skills in sketching, prototyping, and creative design.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and modeling tools required.
• Familiarity with fabric/material choices and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working Mass Market retailers a plus but not required

Technical Knowledge & Hard Skills

• Knowledge of pet toy construction, materials, and safety standards.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and hand-drawing techniques.
• Strong understanding of toy regulations and pet behavior insights.

Soft Skills

• Out-of-the-box thinking to create unique toy designs.
• Precision in both design and production processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication to collaborate across teams.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Passion for Pets!

Compensation/Benefits:

• Annual Salary, $65,000 to $70,000 range, depending on experience
• Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, 401K
• In-office 4-days - NYC Midtown

This global private-label company has been in business for 40+ years. It takes pride in its culture, people, and products setting the gold standard in design. If you are a passionate proactive individual who LOVES pets and is looking to make an impact on the design of toys for our furry friends, we welcome the chance to speak to you.