Manager/ Sr Manager, Collectibles & Merchandise Innovation

Job Description:

Dave & Buster’s is building a new merchandise capability designed to transform merchandise from simply a reward for play into a form of entertainment itself. We are seeking a highly hands-on Sr Manager/Manager, Collectibles & Exclusive Lines who will be responsible for turning that strategy into execution.

This person will personally research what consumers are collecting and which fandoms are gaining meaningful traction; materialize Dave & Buster’s IP partnerships into executable merchandise programs; project-manage development of exclusive collectible products; and deliver recurring merchandise drops across cranes games, merchandiser games, trade-up redemption centers, the WIN! retail store, and various D&B programs.

This is a builder and doer role, not a strategy or business-development position. This person will take the strategic partnerships already negotiated with major IP owners, and and turn those opportunities into products, collectibles and/or exclusive lines and  programs.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable analyzing collectible trends in the morning, reviewing product samples with a manufacturer that afternoon, managing licensor approvals and production timelines, and troubleshooting the details of an upcoming nationwide merchandise drop.

Responsibiltiies

• Track consumer conversation and momentum across social platforms such as Google Trends, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, etc.
• Monitor price multiples and premiums (resale vs original) of various IP and collectible product types across marketplaces such as eBay, Mercari, Whatnot, StockX, TCGplayer and emerging platforms to identify products and fandoms demonstrating meaningful consumer demand and velocity.
• Track sell-outs, resale premiums, price velocity, new releases and other signals of collectible demand.
• Visit competitive locations (such as Round1, specialty crane operators, collectible retailers, mass retail etc.) and industry events to personally assess which IPs, products and cabinets appear to be generating engagement.
• Conduct quarterly reviews with agencies, suppliers, manufacturers and other retailers to track new products, emerging formats, characters, brands, suppliers and manufacturers.
• Produce concise recurring recommendations identifying what is gaining traction, why it matters, and what D&B should investigate.
• Measure results from prior D&B drops and feed those learnings back into future recommendations.
• Maintain the rolling merchandise development and launch calendar across D&B’s IP partnerships.

• Translate partner content calendars and agreed commercial rights into specific product opportunities.

• Coordinate directly with IP partners on day-to-day execution, assets, style guides, submissions, approvals and timelines.

• Develop detailed briefs for manufacturers and suppliers.

• Manage all follow-up required to keep partner deliverables and D&B deliverables on schedule.

• Coordinate internally across Merchandise, Games, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Legal and other stakeholders.

• Identify schedule risks early and drive resolution.

• Translate approved fandom/IP opportunities into specific collectible product concepts.

• Work hands-on with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and licensors through the full product-development lifecycle.

• Request and evaluate concepts, samples and prototypes.

• Manage product specifications, artwork, materials, packaging, dimensions and other product requirements.

• Manage costing, MOQs, production quantities and timelines in partnership with appropriate internal teams.

• Own licensor submissions, comments, revisions and final approvals.

• Maintain detailed development calendars and critical paths for every product.

•  Coordinate testing, quality control, compliance, production, freight and delivery requirements.

• Ensure finished products are differentiated, desirable and appropriate for their intended D&B modality.

• Develop merchandise across cranes, vending games, WIN! redemption, reload incentives and other emerging formats.

• Manage multiple exclusive lines simultaneously at different stages of development.

• Build and manage the master drop calendar.

• Establish detailed launch checklists and critical paths for every drop.

• Coordinate product availability, allocations and store delivery.

• Ensure stores have the required operational instructions, merchandising standards and launch materials.

• Coordinate with Marketing and Social teams on launch timing, creative assets and communications.

• Coordinate partner obligations and approvals.

• Manage launch mechanics including sets, variants, exclusivity, scarcity, release cadence and collection completion.

• Track store readiness ahead of every launch.

• Monitor performance immediately following launch.

• Track sell-through/redemption velocity, crane performance, inventory, guest response and other relevant KPIs.

• Conduct post-mortems identifying what worked, what did not and what should change for the next drop.

Qualifications

Approximately 5–8 years of relevant experience, ideally spanning some combination of:

• Collectibles
• Toys
• Licensed consumer products
• Entertainment merchandise
• Product development
• Specialty retail
• Gaming/anime merchandise
• Character merchandise
• Promotional merchandise
• Experiential entertainment

The ideal candidate has personally managed physical consumer products from concept through production and launch.

Experience working with licensed IP is strongly preferred.

Direct arcade/FEC experience is not required.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?:

Dave & Buster’s / Main Event is an imaginative and dynamic company dedicated to creating innovative entertainment experiences that bring joy, laughter, and excitement to people of all ages. Our mission is to foster a culture of fun and creativity, and we take pride in our commitment to delivering memorable and unique entertainment solutions.

• Exclusive discounts on food and games at D&B & Main Event.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) that increases with tenure.
• 11 Company Holidays (Including your Birthday) & 2 Floating Holidays per year.
• Medical, dental, vision and voluntary benefits 
  • Part Time/Full Time benefits available
  • Sub Benefits:
    • Livongo, SurgeryPlus, and Telehealth benefits
• 401k with company match following 6 months of employment.
• Buster’s Legacy Fund (Support Team Members during difficult Times)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Offerings.
• Work out facility on-site.
• Employee Power Card | Free Video Games.

We work hard, play hard and have FUN!

Salary Range:

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We are an equal opportunity employer and participate in E-Verify in states where required.