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2026 Toy Industry Talent Wars: Proven Ways to Attract and Retain High-Caliber Product and Innovation Executives The toy industry in 2026 is in the midst of a fierce talent war, especially for high-caliber product and innovation executives. Fresh off the rebound in 2025 and the buzz from Toy Fair in February, companies are racing to capitalize on major shifts: the explosive growth of the "Forever Young" kidult segment (now roughly one-quarter of U.S. toy sales, per Circana), d

Top Toy Industry Hiring Trends for 2026: Data & Insights The toy industry is riding a wave of rebound and reinvention in 2026, following a solid recovery in 2025 and the buzz from the recent New York Toy Fair (February 14-17 at the Javits Center). With U.S. toy sales stabilizing, global market projections showing steady growth (e.g., educational toys expanding rapidly and overall toys/games segments eyeing 8.2% CAGR through 2033 in some forecasts), companies are ramping up ta

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Sourcing Manager to join our dynamic team. Based in Hong Kong, you will play a pivotal role in the development of innovative products, working closely with local factories and liaising with the overseas head office to ensure a seamless transition from concept to manufacturing. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional with expertise in printed materials, cardboard products, and ideally toys or games, to make a si

The Challenge: Recruiting a "Game-Changer" VP Sales Amid Industry Headwinds Our client—a well-established international toy brand with a strong portfolio in licensed and collectible products—was riding the 2025 rebound wave. Global toy sales rose 7%, driven by pop culture licensing, collectibles (up 32%), and the booming "kidult" segment where adults now fuel nearly 19-43% of revenue in key categories. But to capitalize fully on premiumization, year-round purchasing, and emer

The Unique Demands of Toy Sales Jobs in 2026 The global toy market rebounded strongly in 2025, with sales up 7% across key regions, fueled by pop culture licenses, collectibles, and growing "kidult" demand. Heading into 2026, the industry builds on this momentum with trends like premiumization (higher average selling prices), digital integration, and resilient supply chains amid ongoing tariff uncertainties. But while innovation and licensing grab headlines, the backbone of s

We're recruiting a Global Sales Director for our clients: A Hong Kong toy company is seeking candidates for an Global Sales Director role. They supply many of the largest retailers and distributors of toys across the globe, and have grown tremendously in recent years. They are looking to expand their leadership team and are looking for an experienced, exceptional manager that understands the toy industry, knows how to optimally structure the client management and sales functi

How to Find & Hire an International Sales Director in the Toy & Games Industry Hiring an International Sales Director is one of the most strategically important moves a toy or games company can make. This role doesn’t just manage territories — it shapes global revenue, distributor relationships, retail penetration, forecasting accuracy, and the long‑term commercial health of the business. Yet despite its importance, many companies still approach the search reactively, relying

JOB DESCRIPTION     Job Title: Sales Account Manager (North/North East of England)   Responsible to: Head of Sales                                                                                                                Location: UK - Remote (min 60% customer facing, but the successful applicant will be based in the UK) Territory: North/North East England   Job Summary Responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, as well as maintaining relationsh

Why Pay for a Toy Recruiter When You Could Do It Yourself? In the toy and games industry, hiring is often treated as something you can “just handle internally.” After all, you know your brand, you know the role, and you’ve hired before. So why pay for a specialist recruiter? It’s a fair question — and the honest answer is this: you can  do it yourself. Many companies try. But the real question isn’t can  you hire alone; it’s whether doing so is the best use of your time, reso

How to Recruit a Sales Manager in the Toy Industry: A Complete Guide for Hiring Managers Recruiting a high‑performing Sales Manager is one of the most important hires a toy company can make. The right person will strengthen retailer relationships, drive revenue, manage forecasting, lead commercial strategy and ensure your products succeed in an increasingly competitive market. The wrong hire can cost you listings, momentum and market share. This guide breaks down exactly how

Hiring for Toy Jobs in the Asian Toy Market: A Complete Guide for 2025 Asia is one of the most dynamic, diverse and fast‑growing regions in the global toy industry. From manufacturing powerhouses like China and Vietnam to innovation hubs such as Japan and South Korea, and rapidly expanding consumer markets across Southeast Asia and India, the region offers enormous opportunity. But with opportunity comes complexity, especially when it comes to hiring the right talent. This gu

Hiring for Toy Jobs in the US Toy Market: A Complete Guide for 2025 The United States remains the largest and most commercially influential toy market in the world. With powerhouse retailers, global entertainment brands, world‑leading licensors and a thriving ecosystem of manufacturers, inventors and start‑ups, the US toy industry sets the pace for global trends. As companies expand product lines, strengthen digital capabilities and compete for shelf space, hiring the right t

Hiring for Toy Jobs in the European Toy Market: A Complete Guide The European toy market remains one of the most influential and commercially diverse regions in the global industry. With major hubs in Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the Nordics, Europe combines heritage brands, innovative start‑ups, world‑leading retailers and a strong licensing ecosystem. As companies expand product lines, strengthen digital capabilities and navigate evolving regul

The toy industry is a dynamic and fast-evolving market that thrives on creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity. Finding the right talent to fuel this growth is a challenge that many companies face, especially when looking beyond local borders. Toy Recruitment, recognized as the world’s leading international toy recruitment agency, plays a crucial role in connecting companies with skilled professionals worldwide. This post explores how Toy Recruitment is transforming th

The Global Toy Industry: A Thriving Ecosystem Powered by Talent – And Why Leading Brands Choose ToyRecruitment.com The global toy and games industry is one of the most dynamic, creative and commercially resilient sectors in the world. From established powerhouses in North America and Europe to fast‑growing markets across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, the industry continues to evolve at remarkable speed. Innovation, licensing, digital integration and shifting consum

Why Most Recruiters Fail Toy Companies The toy industry is one of the most deceptively complex sectors in consumer products. It blends creativity, compliance, engineering, psychology, licensing, retail dynamics, global manufacturing, and razor thin margins. Yet many toy companies still rely on generalist recruiters who—despite good intentions—simply aren’t equipped to navigate the depth, nuance, and network this industry demands. This mismatch is why most recruiters fail toy

Product Development Manager – Plush Toys Location:  M1/A14 Corridor (Hybrid working, approx. 3 days per week in office) Employment Type:  Full-time, Permanent Industry:  Toys / Consumer Products   About the Company We are an established and successful toy company with a strong reputation for quality, creativity, and innovation. Based in the M1/A14 corridor, we design and deliver products that delight children and collectors alike. With continued growth in our plush toy catego

Toy Sourcing Manager – (South East England)   Location:  South East England Experience Level:  Minimum 2 years in toy buying/sourcing, but we welcome applications from seasoned pros too Company Type:  Long-established, family-owned, with UK and international reach Sector:  Toys   About Us We’re a family-run business with deep roots in the UK toy trade and a growing footprint across international markets. Known for our fast-paced, entrepreneurial spirit, we combine decades of

Job Title:  Head of Sales – MENA Location:  United Arab Emirates Reports To:  CEO Overview: We're seeking a dynamic and strategic Head of...

How to Land a Job in the Toy Industry The toy business is a world of creativity, innovation, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of fun. If...