[Hiring] Plush Designer @BMI Merchandise

Role Description

The Plush Designer leads the concept-to-shelf development of BMI's plush toy line, translating market trends, sales opportunities, and operator feedback into huggable, sellable products. This role owns the creative and technical design process — from first sketch through factory-ready spec — and partners closely with sourcing, buying, and sales to keep BMI's plush assortment fresh, on-trend, and profitable.

• Design original plush characters and product lines, including concept sketches, color studies, and character personality/story development.
• Create detailed technical specification packages (line drawings, size specs, fabric and trim callouts, safety and fill requirements) for overseas factory production.
• Research redemption, licensing, and consumer plush trends to identify whitespace opportunities for new product lines and seasonal collections.
• Collaborate with sourcing and quality teams throughout sampling, approving pre-production and gold-seal samples against design intent, safety standards (ASTM/CPSC), and cost targets.
• Partner with the buying and marketing teams to align new plush launches with trade show timelines, catalog releases, and eblast/social campaigns.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously against tight development calendars and trade show deadlines (IAAPA, Amusement Expo, and others).
• Present new concepts internally and, occasionally, directly to key redemption operator accounts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Illustration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience designing plush, soft goods, or 3D character products, ideally within toys, redemption, or licensed consumer products.
• Strong illustration and technical sketching skills; proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Working knowledge of plush construction methods, fabrics, and overseas manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with U.S. toy safety standards (ASTM F963, CPSC) and how they inform design decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills and comfort managing several product lines at different stages of development at once.
• Strong collaborator who can take feedback from sales, buying, and operators and translate it into design direction.

Requirements

• Experience designing for the amusement, redemption, or FEC (family entertainment center) market.
• Basic 3D modeling or pattern-making experience.
• Experience presenting concepts to buyers, licensors, or accounts.

Benefits

• 401k with company match.
• Competitive salary plus travel allowances.
• Health, dental, life, and vision benefits.
• The opportunity to directly shape BMI's plush product line.