Original Merchandise Developer (Bilingual Japanese/English)

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: Original Merchandise Developer – Plush (Bilingual Japanese/English)  Job Summary: This role is responsible for driving the development and approval of plush products for Original Merchandise, ensuring high-quality products that meet Pokémon brand standards and business objectives. The role works closely with the internal stakeholders such as Original Merchandise, Production, Quality, and external vendors and partners to lead plush products from concept through production while balancing product quality, manufacturability, cost, and timelines. Success in this role requires strong plush and/or 3D product development expertise, sound product judgment, native-level Japanese and English communication skills, ownership, and effective cross-functional collaboration.   What you’ll do  Lead the development and approval of plush products from concept through production sample approvals. Review prototypes and production samples to evaluate quality, construction, materials, and character accuracy. Provide clear, actionable feedback to vendors to improve product quality and manufacturability. Create concept sketches, development artwork, or technical illustrations as needed to support plush prototyping and sample development. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external partners, and vendors throughout the product development process. Manage multiple product development projects while balancing quality, cost, and timelines. Identify development risks and recommend practical solutions. Translate product development documents, review comments, and business communications between Japanese and English. Contribute to the continuous improvement of plush development standards, review guidelines, and team processes. Organize and maintain product samples, development records, and project documentation.   What You Will Bring Required Qualifications 3–5 years of professional experience in plush, toy, or 3D consumer product development. Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. Near-native level bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English. Strong understanding of product construction, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality standards. Demonstrated ability to evaluate product quality, character accuracy, and consumer appeal. Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers and cross-functional teams. Strong project management, prioritization, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in ...