Manager, Retail Development

Job description

Join our Peanuts Worldwide team to make us part of your story! The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 80% owned by the Sony Group, and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz. First introduced to the world in 1950 in the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV, fans of all ages celebrate the brand around the world through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. Peanuts recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary with unprecedented worldwide exhibitions and activities, collaborations, digital marketing campaigns, and more. POSITION SUMMARY Peanuts Worldwide LLC is seeking a Manager, Retail Development to join our team. This role will lead retail development strategy, communication, and relationship management across key U.S. and Canadian retail channels, including Specialty, Off-Price, and Craft. Serving as a brand champion for Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gangs, the Manager will build and strengthen direct retailer relationships, secure support for brand initiatives and marketing tentpoles, and partner closely with category executives and licensees to identify, develop, and drive compelling programs at retail. This position will be on a Hybrid schedule with 2 days per week in the NYC office. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Architect and implement consumer product strategies across Specialty, Off-Price, and Craft channels to drive category growth, strengthen retail opportunities and create meaningful consumer touchpoints. Create and implement comprehensive Specialty, Off-Price and Craft retail strategies that maximize growth opportunities and elevate the Peanuts brand within these channels. Partner with North America Category Managers and licensees to align retail strategies, develop compelling pitches, and deliver effective retailer presentations. Build, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with key buyers and senior-level retail executives in above channels. Conduct regular store visits and prepare competitive analysis reports to evaluate the retail landscape and support strategic positioning against competitors. Monitor licensee retail distribution, promotional activity, and sales results; provide analysis and insights to inform business decisions. Identify whitespace product categories and new product opportunities through research, retail landscape analysis, and licensee performance insights. Represent the brand at industry trade shows, retailer meetings, and relevant networking or social functions, as applicable. Honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above. QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION Your qualifications and experience should include: 7+ years of experience in Licensing and/or Retail Development working with Character or Entertainment IP in a retail environment Bachelor’s degree in a related field Experience managing Specialty key accounts preferred Exceptional presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with PowerPoint and Excel required Self-starter with strong organizational, interpersonal, and collaboration skills Excellent attention to detail, follow-through, and follow-up Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Collaborative team player who is eager to support and contribute to a strong, growing business Strong sense of urgency with the ability to prioritize effectively Willingness and ability to travel as required for the role We are committed to creating an inclusive employee experience for you to thrive as part of Sony’s purpose to “fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.” Benefits: Peanuts Worldwide participates in the Sony Corporation of America (SCA) benefits program and offers benefits-eligible employees (generally regular employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours a week) a comprehensive benefits program that offers coverage and support for employees and their family’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. What we offer you: Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage with coverage for spouses/domestic partners and child dependents, including access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Employee assistance plan and comprehensive behavioral health benefits Fertility benefits, including, surrogacy, and adoption assistance programs Basic and supplemental life insurance for employees as well as supplemental life insurance coverage for their spouses/domestic partners and children Voluntary benefits such as group legal, identity theft protection, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance Short-term & long-term disability plans Up to 12 weeks of paid parental and caregiver leave 401(k) Plan with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax options and company match with immediate vesting Education assistance and student loan programs Other Programs: Flexible Work Arrangements, including hybrid work schedules Time off to include vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, Summer Fridays (early release), and a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day (based on business needs) Referral bonuses (subject to eligibility) Matching gift program A wide variety of employee business resource groups (EBRGs) Special discounts on Sony products, offered exclusively to Sony employees Employee stock purchase plan (Sony covers commissions and fees for your Sony stock purchases made through after-tax payroll deductions) The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $85,000 to $100,000. In addition to the annual base salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus. This range does not include any other co