Career at NICI
Vacancies and career opportunities
Would you like to become part of a creative and dynamic team? At NICI, you will find a wide range of career opportunities that will enable you to enter an inspiring working environment. Whether you are just completing your training or already have professional experience, you can contribute and develop your talents with us. Explore our current job vacancies and find the position that suits you perfectly.
We look forward to receiving your application!
NICI GmbH, based in Altenkunstadt, Upper Franconia, currently employs around 150 people worldwide and is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality soft toys and gift items. Our products stand for innovation, quality and attention to detail. We are looking for motivated and committed employees who share our passion and want to grow with us.
Become part of the NICI family!
We are looking for creative talent to join our Product Management team as:
Junior Product Manager (m/f/d)
To strengthen our Product Management team, we are looking for a committed individual who will develop new product ideas with us and actively help shape our collections. At NICI, ideas are turned into products that accompany people all over the world. Product Management acts as the central interface between design, product development, quality, marketing and sales. Here, trends are translated into concrete products and collections are supported from the initial idea right through to market launch.
As a Junior Product Manager (m/f/d), you will work closely with experienced product managers as well as with the Design, Product Development, Purchasing, Quality & Safety, Marketing and Sales departments, supporting the development of our product lines.
Your responsibilities
- Collaborating on the conception of new products and product lines alongside the Design and Product Development teams – from the initial idea through to a production-ready product.
- Supporting product development and coordinating the development of samples and prototypes in collaboration with design, product development and suppliers.
- Collaborating on the planning, coordination and monitoring of the entire product development process, from the start of the creative phase through to the delivery of products to the market.
- Creating and maintaining collection plans, as well as supporting the further development of existing product lines.
- Supporting the costing of new products and the continuous monitoring of costs throughout the entire development process.
- Close coordination with the Quality & Safety department to ensure our products meet quality and safety requirements.
- Continuous development of existing products and collaboration on the optimisation of materials and product details.
- Analysis of the market, trends and competitors, as well as support in generating new product ideas.
- Close collaboration with Design, Product Development, Purchasing, Marketing and Sales, as well as support in presenting new products and collections to internal teams and international partners.
Your profile
- A successfully completed commercial apprenticeship or a degree in Business, Product Management, Design Management or a comparable field.
- Initial experience in product management or the development of consumer goods, ideally in the toy, gift or fashion industries.
- An eye for trends, products and markets.
- A structured and independent approach to work, as well as the ability to organise tasks, projects and deadlines effectively and set priorities.
- Ability to work in a team, initiative and good communication skills.
- Very good written and spoken German and English.
- Proficiency in standard Microsoft Office programmes.
- Ideally, knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud.
What you can expect from us
- A varied role at the intersection of creativity, market analysis and product development.
- The opportunity to play an active part in developing new NICI product ranges.
- A dynamic and supportive team within an internationally successful brand.
- Flexible working hours (37-hour week), every other Friday off.
- 30 days’ holiday and two days of working from home per month.
- Attractive additional benefits such as travel allowance, capital-forming benefits, a company bike, free drinks and a dedicated parking space.
We look forward to receiving your application, including your salary expectations and your earliest possible start date, by email to: bewerbung@nici.de
Please Note:
We value diversity and welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
NICI GmbH, based in Altenkunstadt in Upper Franconia, currently employs around 150 people worldwide and is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality soft toys and gift items. Our products stand for innovation, quality and attention to detail. We are looking for motivated and committed employees who share our passion and want to grow with us.
Become part of the NICI family!
To strengthen our design team, the market leader is seeking an:
Character Designer & Illustrator (m/f/d)
To expand our design team, we are looking for an experienced creative professional who not only designs characters but also successfully translates them into products. Here, we turn ideas and illustrations into real plush toys, and this is precisely where the focus of your role lies.
As a Character Designer & Illustrator (m/f/d), you will develop new characters for our collections and oversee their implementation from the initial concept to the finished plush product. You will draw on your design experience to ensure that character design, form, material selection, and product impact work together perfectly.
You know how to design characters so that they not only work as illustrations but also shine as three-dimensional products - emotionally engaging, true to the brand, and of high quality.
Your responsibilities:
- Development of new character worlds
Conceptualisation and design of new soft toy characters, as well as the further development of existing designs and collections. - Product-oriented character design
Development of characters with a view to their subsequent realisation as products – including proportions, design language and material effects. - Illustration & design development
Creation of detailed character illustrations and views as a basis for product development. - Supporting product development
Technical support for prototype development from the first sample through to final production approval. - Material, fabric and colour concepts
Selection of suitable fabrics, materials and colours for our soft toy products. - Design of surroundings & packaging
Development of supplementary illustrations and graphic elements, as well as creation of the packaging design. - Collaboration within the development team
Close coordination with product management and product development to ensure the successful implementation of new product ideas.
What we expect from you:
- Several years’ experience in character design and illustration – ideally combined with product design
- Experience in translating characters into physical products
- A keen eye for form, proportion, colours, materials and design trends
- Ideally, experience in soft toys, toys or consumer goods design
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
- Strong creative and conceptual skills, as well as a structured and independent approach to work
- Ability to work well in a team and good communication skills
- Good command of German and English
What you can expect from us:
- A creative working environment with plenty of creative freedom
- The opportunity to play an active role in shaping new characters and product ranges
- A varied role with significant creative responsibility
- A supportive working atmosphere within a dedicated team
- Flexible working hours (37-hour week), every other Friday off
- 30 days’ holiday and 2 days of home working per month
- Attractive benefits such as travel allowance, capital-forming benefits, a company bike, free drinks and a dedicated parking space
Share your experience and help us shape the next generation of the NICI soft toy world.
We are looking forward to receiving your application documents, including your salary expectations and your earliest possible starting date, via email to: bewerbung@nici.de
Please note:
We value diversity and welcome all applications—regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or identity.
Support with heart
Would you like to be part of a friendly team and support us in a flexible way? At NICI, we are looking for dedicated temporary staff who are willing to roll up their sleeves and enjoy working in a team. Whether in the warehouse, shipping, or office—your help is important and valuable. You can expect a warm atmosphere, fair conditions, and varied tasks. Simply apply and become part of NICI!
NICI GmbH is one of the world's leading brands for high-quality plush toys and gift items. Our characters represent warmth, character and a distinctive emotionality that resonates with people around the world. With a diverse product range, high design expertise and clear quality standards, we are creating a brand that combines tradition and innovation from our headquarters in Altenkunstadt, Upper Franconia. Around 150 employees worldwide contribute to NICI's decades-long reputation for joy, reliability and modern brand awareness.
The market leader is looking for you as:
Working student (m/f/d) or intern (m/f/d) Design/character design
Do you love illustration and character design and want to gain practical experience in the world of plush toys and gift items? Then support our design and product management team as a working student in the development of new NICI characters and exciting product ideas.
What you should bring with you:
- Studies in illustration, graphic design, product design, media design or a comparable subject
- Enjoyment of character design, drawing and developing small visual ideas
- Good knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
- Reliable, meticulous approach to work and enjoyment of teamwork
- Good knowledge of German
- Availability to work on-site at NICI
Your responsibilities:
- Assisting with the visualisation of product ideas and designs
- Collaborating on presentations for product management – e.g. for sales documents or internal coordination
- Supporting the preparation and documentation of design and concept meetings
- Small tasks in the area of packaging & environment illustration (e.g. backgrounds, icons, layouts) and POS design.
- General support for the design team in day-to-day business
What you can expect from us:
- A creative environment and the opportunity to gain real insights into the development of NICI products
- Close collaboration with design and product management
- Flexible working hours within the scope of your study commitments
- A friendly, open working atmosphere
- Free drinks, employee benefits and much more
Become part of our team and gain valuable practical experience in character design and the product development process – we look forward to receiving your application! Please send your detailed application documents by email to: bewerbung@nici.de
Diversity is important to us: We value diversity and welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
Die NICI GmbH zählt weltweit zu den führenden Herstellern von Plüsch- und Geschenkartikeln. Mit bekannten Produktlinien wie My First NICI und Wild Friends sowie regelmäßigen saisonalen Neuheiten und Lizenzprodukten, stehen wir für Qualität und Innovation. Unser Firmensitz befindet sich im oberfränkischen Altenkunstadt, und wir beschäftigen rund 150 Mitarbeiter weltweit.
Der Marktführer sucht dich:
Ferienarbeit / Minijob / Befristete Tätigkeit bei NICI (m/w/d)
Für ein aktuelles Großprojekt suchen wir motivierte Unterstützung in unserem Team! Du möchtest dir etwas dazuverdienen und bist handwerklich geschickt? Du arbeitest sorgfältig, konzentriert und hast ein gutes Feingefühl?
Dann bist du bei uns genau richtig!
Deine Aufgaben
- Sauberes Entfernen von Produktlabels
- Präzises und sorgfältiges Arbeiten
- Unterstützung unseres Teams über mehrere Wochen oder Monate
Das bringst du mit
- Gute Feinmotorik und sorgfältige Arbeitsweise
- Zuverlässigkeit und Motivation
- Mindestalter: 15 Jahre
Das bieten wir dir
- Flexible Einsatzmöglichkeiten als Ferienarbeiterin, Minijobberin oder befristete Aushilfe
- Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten ab sofort bis September
- Angenehmes Arbeitsumfeld in einem starken Team
- Faire Vergütung
Werde Teil unseres Teams
Wir suchen insgesamt 10 bis 20 Personen zur Unterstützung unseres Projekts.
Fühlst du dich angesprochen? Dann melde dich bei uns per E-Mail an: bewerbung@nici.de
Vielfalt ist uns wichtig:
Wir wertschätzen Vielfalt und begrüßen alle Bewerbungen – unabhängig von Geschlecht, Nationalität, ethnischer und sozialer Herkunft, Religion, Behinderung, Alter sowie sexueller Orientierung und Identität.
Take the first step – we look forward to hearing from you!
Do you have an exciting idea, or haven't found the right position for you among our current vacancies? Then we would be delighted to receive your speculative application! Tell us who you are, what motivates you and what strengths you would like to contribute. This will give us a feel for how you would fit in at NICI. We are curious to find out more about you!
Product Development
In Product Development, you will be responsible for conceiving and designing new products that make our brand unique. You will analyse market trends, develop innovative ideas and work closely with other departments to create products that are both functional and appealing. Your creativity and technical understanding will be called upon to develop products that meet the needs of our customers and expand our product range.
Product design
In product design, you bring creative ideas to life. You create appealing designs that are both aesthetic and practical. You work with modern design tools and pay attention to detail to create products that reflect our brand. Your task is to develop designs that inspire our customers and make our products distinctive.
Marketing
In marketing, you are the creative heart that promotes our brand to the outside world. You develop campaigns that appeal to our target group and use various channels, such as social media, to promote our products. Your strategic planning and keen sense for trends help to continuously strengthen our brand and attract new customers.
Customer service
In customer service, you are the first point of contact for our trading partners. You answer enquiries, solve problems and ensure that our B2B customers feel well looked after. Your friendly and solution-oriented manner helps to increase customer satisfaction and build long-term customer relationships.
Purchasing & Import
In the Purchasing and Import department, you will be responsible for procuring our products and materials. You will negotiate with suppliers, review offers and ensure smooth logistics. Your organisational skills and negotiating abilities are crucial to securing the best terms and maintaining a stable supply chain.
Sales
In sales, you are the link between our company and our customers. You acquire new customers, look after existing business partners and develop strategies to successfully sell our products. Your strong communication and negotiation skills are a great advantage here.
eCommerce
In the area of eCommerce, you will be responsible for our online shop. You will optimise product presentation, analyse sales figures and develop strategies to increase turnover. Your technical knowledge and keen sense for trends in online retail will help to strengthen our digital presence.
Accounting
In accounting, you ensure accurate and transparent financial management. You record receipts, prepare statements and assist with budget planning. Your accuracy and sense of responsibility are essential to ensuring the financial stability of our company.
Human Resources
In Human Resources, you are responsible for personnel planning, development and support. You assist in the recruitment of new employees, organise training courses and ensure a positive working environment. Your empathy and organisational skills help to build a motivated team.
IT
In the IT department, you will be responsible for maintaining our IT infrastructure. You will provide support for technical issues, install software and ensure the security of our systems. Your technical skills are crucial to ensuring that everything runs smoothly within the company.
Warehouse & Logistics
In the warehouse and logistics department, you will be responsible for organising and shipping our products. You will ensure efficient warehousing, coordinate the shipment of goods and make sure that all products arrive at the customer's premises on time. Your organisational skills and attention to detail are of great importance here.
The application process
Apply online
Simply send us your application documents by e-mail – we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Getting acquainted
We would like to learn more about you in a conversation and at the same time give you the opportunity to get to know us better. If you live far away, the first meeting can also take place online.
Contract offer
If we are a good fit for each other, you will receive a fair and transparent contract offer from us.
Welcome to the team
Once everything has been signed, we look forward to welcoming you!
Become part of the NICI family
Help us create an inspiring working environment. Whether you are applying for an advertised position or submitting a speculative application to share your own ideas, show us what you can do!
We look forward to getting to know you and your talent.