Head of Category and Product Design

At TCC Global, we create innovative loyalty marketing solutions that drive customer engagement and strengthen brand loyalty for some of the world’s leading retailers. Our passionate team delivers exceptional results through precision execution, strong client partnerships, and seamless operational processes.

The Head of Category and Product Design – Entertainment leads the global end-to-end development and delivery of innovative, high-quality licensed and proprietary products, translating creative concepts into commercially successful ranges that meet client, licensor, regional market, and consumer needs across international markets. 

You define and execute the global product development strategy, ensuring all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, while driving the achievement of business goals and KPIs across regions.. Partnering closely with cross-functional and international teams, you ensure global alignment and seamless execution from concept through to production and launch. 

You lead and develop a multidisciplinary global team of Category Managers and 2D and 3D Designers, while remaining actively involved in key strategic initiatives. Through strong internal and external partnerships, you drive innovation, operational efficiency, consistency, and continuous improvement across the global product development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Vision

• Define and lead the vision, strategy, and roadmap for licensed premium product development, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and client needs.

• Shape and evolve rewards program strategies to drive innovation, differentiation, and long-term commercial success.

• Set clear priorities and frameworks that enhance client engagement, strengthen value propositions, and generate compelling client success stories.

Concept Development & Creative Direction

• Lead the development of compelling product concepts for licensed premiums, translating brand guidelines, consumer insights, and client briefs into innovative and commercially viable ideas.

• Leverage AI tools and technologies to accelerate ideation, generate design variations, and explore new creative directions, enhancing both speed and quality of concept development.

• Guide early-stage ideation, ensuring concepts are distinctive, relevant, and aligned with licensor expectations and market trends.

• Partner closely with Creative and Category teams to refine concepts into clear, actionable briefs that balance creativity with cost, feasibility, and speed to market.

Product Development Leadership

• Oversee the end-to-end development of licensed premium products, from concept through to launch, ensuring excellence in design, quality, and commercial viability.

• Drive innovation across product categories by leveraging consumer insights, market trends, and licensor requirements.

• Ensure product ranges are scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with brand and licensing guidelines.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales, Regional Heads, Licensing and Sourcing teams to ensure seamless execution of development strategies.

• Align product development initiatives with broader organisational goals, ensuring consistency across global and local programs. 

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Champion innovation by leveraging industry insights, emerging trends, AI and new technologies to enhance product offerings.

• Position the organisation as a leader in licensed premiums through forward-thinking product strategies and creative execution.

• Continuously evaluate and improve development processes to drive efficiency, speed to market, and product differentiation.

Commercial & Operational Excellence

• Ensure strong cost management and margin optimisation across all product development activities.

• Oversee timelines and critical paths to ensure on-time delivery of programmes.

• Monitor performance against KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement across the function.

AI & Digital Innovation in Reward Development

• Champion the adoption of AI across reward design and development, identifying opportunities to enhance creativity, efficiency, and personalisation.

• Integrate AI-driven insights (consumer data, trend forecasting, demand signals) into product development strategies to inform decision-making.

• Explore and implement AI-enabled tools for design visualisation, rapid prototyping, cost modelling, and product optimisation.

• Drive continuous learning and capability building within the team to effectively utilise AI technologies in day-to-day development processes.

Must Haves

• Significant experience in product development within licensed products, premiums, toys, or consumer goods. 

• Strong understanding of end-to-end product development, from concept through to production and delivery. 

• Proven experience working with licensors, brand guidelines, and approval processes. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing, cross-functional teams. 

• Strong commercial acumen, including cost management, margin optimisation, and budget ownership. 

• Experience managing complex projects across multiple markets, ensuring delivery to timelines and quality standards. 

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and regions. 

• AI savvy, with the ability to leverage AI tools to enhance concept development, design processes, and efficiency. 

• Strong communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and results-driven approach. 

• High level of accountability, adaptability, and resilience in a fast-paced environment. 

• Fluent English and Italian

Nice to Have

• Experience across multiple product categories (e.g. plastic, paper, toys, or hardgoods). 

• Familiarity with advanced AI applications (e.g. generative design, predictive analytics) in product development. 

• Experience driving innovation programs or leading transformation initiatives. 

• Understanding of consumer insights, trend forecasting, and market analysis within the entertainment or rewards industry. 

• Experience working with international teams and managing global programmes. 

• Understanding of loyalty programmes, rewards mechanics, and customer retention strategies.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.

• Opportunities for growth and professional development.

• A dynamic and supportive work environment where your ideas truly matter.

• Hybrid working model.

TCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered without distinction of age, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, or disability status.