Manager Production Ops

Manager Production Ops Full-time Company Description CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers. Job Description The Opportunity: Mattel Animation Studios is seeking a Manager, Production Operations to serve as a key operational partner supporting Animation Production. This individual contributor role is responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving production operations, workflows, and operational processes that enable efficient execution across the studio.

Working closely with Production, Legal, Procurement, IT, Finance, Facilities, and external production partners, this role drives operational excellence by developing scalable processes, managing production operations, supporting contract administration, and ensuring documentation, systems, and workflows remain compliant, organized, and effective throughout the production lifecycle.

This role is ideal for a highly organized operational expert who enjoys building structure, improving processes, and partnering across functions to solve complex operational challenges. What Your Impact Will Be: Production Operations & Studio Support Serve as a trusted operational partner to Animation Production leadership, helping ensure productions are supported with the processes, systems, and coordination needed for successful execution. Identify operational risks, recommend practical solutions, and proactively address issues that could impact production efficiency. Coordinate cross-functional operational activities supporting productions from development through delivery. Independently manage special projects and operational initiatives that improve studio effectiveness. Workflow Design & Process Improvement Design, document, implement, and continuously improve operational workflows that support Animation Production. Develop process maps, SOPs, templates, playbooks, and governance documentation that create consistency across productions. Analyze existing workflows, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend scalable operational solutions. Drive adoption of new operational processes through cross-functional partnership and change management. Maintain and continuously enhance the studio's centralized knowledge management resources and operational documentation. Systems, Tools & Operational Enablement Partner with IT and production stakeholders to evaluate, implement, and optimize production tools and operational systems. Develop best practices, user guides, and operational documentation supporting consistent system utilization. Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for production teams on operational processes, workflows, and new tools. Support implementation of new technologies and process improvements that enhance studio operations. Vendor Operations & Cross-Functional Coordination Serve as the operational point of contact for production vendors, freelancers, and external partners throughout engagement lifecycles. Coordinate onboarding and offboarding activities for contractors and vendors, including operational readiness, system access, and workflow support. Support evaluation activities during vendor selection and RFP processes by coordinating information gathering, documentation, and stakeholder alignment. Assist with production-related vendor agreements and operational coordination, partnering with Legal and Procurement as