Associate Softlines Designer (Torrance)

Welcome to Sanrio!

Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty. We’re also home to an endearing cast of characters, including the newly crowned #1 favorite Pompompurin, alongside Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, Kuromi, and many more. Since 1960, our “small gift, big smile” philosophy has inspired a world of delight, where even the tiniest token can spark happiness and an enduring connection.

We’re Hiring: Associate Softlines Designer at Sanrio!

If you love character‑driven design, adorable details, and creating products that spark joy, this might be your next creative home. Sanrio - the global lifestyle brand behind Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, Pochacco, and so many beloved friends - is looking for an Associate Softlines Designer to join our Creative team!

This role supports our Softlines category across apparel, accessories, health & beauty, soft carry goods, and home goods. You’ll help bring our characters to life through thoughtful design, careful product development, and strong partnerships with our licensees. Every item you touch helps carry forward our “small gift, big smile” philosophy.

What you’ll do here:

• Assist in designing and developing seasonal, on‑trend Softlines products.
• Communicate day‑to‑day creative direction and brand guidelines to internal teams and external licensees.
• Support product approvals, overlays, 3D reviews, T1/T2 samples, and quality checks.
• Create product concepts for style guides, inspiration decks, retail pitches, and partner presentations.
• Track and manage the licensing approval process for assigned partners.
• Design product concepts for Style Guides, Licensees/external partners, inspiration decks, retail pitches, etc.
• Build strong relationships with licensees and help ensure character integrity, brand consistency, and design excellence.
• Explore trends, materials, colors, and product innovations across Softlines categories.
• Collaborate closely with the Softlines team and cross‑functional partners.

What you bring

• FAA in Fashion Design, or Product Development, or closely related area (BA/BFA preferred).
• 2+ years of experience within the consumer product industry or equivalent design expertise.
• Must have working knowledge of various raw materials (e.g., textiles, ceramics, etc.) and how they relate to Softline products.
• Excellent drawing/illustration skills with key knowledge in Softlines product development; able to translate objectives into a visual format and must be able to use a computer and artist tools to execute creative deliverables.
• Computer proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with Basecamp and My Mediabox is a plus.
• Good organization/prioritization skills necessary to work under tight deadlines, excellent understanding of time management.
• Ability to prioritize, balance and manage workload with multiple deadlines.
• Must be nimble, can pivot based on changes and can work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be resourceful and possess logic and critical thinking.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• A team player with the ability to take direction and work professionally with others.
• Must maintain company/licensee proprietary and confidential design concepts & information.

*Please note that this is a hybrid position - not remote. MUST have your own transportation and be able to come into our Torrance office once or twice per week to collaborate with the team.

Salary: $63-$70k

If you’re excited to help create products that make people smile — from tiny treasures to everyday favorites — we’d love to meet you. Let’s design something adorable together!