---
title: 'Product Development Assistant at Hot Topic & BoxLunch'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/product-development-assistant-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-myrfr3pcdwr8'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-08'
---

# Product Development Assistant at Hot Topic & BoxLunch

- **Company:** Hot Topic & BoxLunch
- **Location:** City of Industry, CA
- **Compensation:** $23–$25/hr
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-11-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hottopic/b4ed9fa3-4aa9-4524-83fb-cd1ae445d4ad

## Job description

Wizards and Rockstars need apply! We’re looking for a Product Development Assistant to partner with our Product Development team in bringing music and pop culture inspired fashion to life. Production takes a village, and you’re known as the one that’s able to keep the Storm Troopers in line. The result: amazing product that our customers love.

This role will operate out of our HQ office in the City of Industry, CA and will require to be on-site 5 days a week.

## WHAT YOU’LL DO

- Communicate daily with cross-functional departments - Design, Merchandising, Technical Design and with Product Development team co-workers and supervisors and Support department with administrative tasks
- Update weekly WIP reports for multiple seasons simultaneously to maintain accurate information that is used by cross-functional partners
- Manage the Sample Tracker to ensure all sample needs are requested when a collection is closed. (Licensor Samples, Photo Samples, Buyer Samples, and Marketing Samples)
- Follow up on sample due dates to ensure samples are received on time
- Open all daily parcels and sort through all samples and submits. Checking in all samples in the tracker and passing off samples to the required teams for review. Sorting all submits and pairing them with the style folder to pass for review
- Review all Strike-Offs and Trim submits for color approval and send comments to vendors
- Assist Production Manager in day-to-day functions including accurate record-keeping
- Communicate via email with off-shore vendors/factories to make progress on product development events

## WHAT YOU’LL NEED

- Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent job experience
- Strong communication and organization skills, initiative and follow-up skills
- Ability to work in a fast pace environment and able to handle multiple projects
- Detail-oriented
- Expert skill set in Excel
- Knowledge of Word, Microsoft Outlook
- Knowledge of Hot Topic and BoxLunch licenses a plus
- Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and lift/move up to 50 pounds

## About Hot Topic & BoxLunch

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hot Topic Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of pop culture and music licensed apparel, accessories, and gifts, operating under the brands Hot Topic, BoxLunch, and Her Universe.
- **Entity Type**: Private (owned by Sycamore Partners since 2013)
- **Headquarters**: City of Industry, California, USA
- **Founded**: 1989 (Hot Topic); 2015 (BoxLunch)
- **Founders**: Orv Madden (Hot Topic); BoxLunch was launched by Hot Topic Inc.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Retail – Pop Culture Merchandise, Apparel, and Gifts
- **Target customers**: B2C – Fans of music, anime, gaming, movies, TV, and pop culture; primarily Gen Z and Millennials
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To be the destination of pop culture and music merchandise while giving back to the community. BoxLunch’s specific mission: for every $10 spent, provide a meal to someone in need through Feeding America®.

## Products & Services
- **Hot Topic**: Clothing, accessories, music, jewelry, and collectibles featuring officially licensed band tees, pop culture-inspired collections, anime merch, and fashion apparel. (Brick-and-mortar and e-commerce)
- **BoxLunch**: Pop culture merch and gifts including apparel, collectibles, and accessories. Launched in 2015, with over 150 specialty shops and a thriving e-commerce site. Each purchase helps provide meals to those in need.
- **Her Universe**: A brand focused on female fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and pop culture, offering licensed apparel and accessories.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue – Hot Topic approx. $741.7M; BoxLunch approx. $74.3M (LinkedIn estimates, combined ~$816M)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Owner: Sycamore Partners (private equity); Partners: Feeding America®, Mental Health America, Notes for Notes, The Trevor Project
- **Growth Signals**: BoxLunch headcount grew 13.9% YoY to 655 employees; Hot Topic headcount grew 6.2% YoY to 2,215 employees; active job postings: 1,184 (as of Sept 2026); BoxLunch has given over 100 million meals to date; expanding distribution centers (La Vergne, TN and Riverside, CA).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Exclusive Licensing**: Deep relationships with major entertainment studios and music labels, securing exclusive product lines not available at general retailers.
- **Niche Community Focus**: Strong brand loyalty among pop culture, music, and anime fans; authentic engagement with subcultures.
- **Philanthropy as Differentiator**: BoxLunch’s meal-giving model creates emotional connection and repeat purchases.
- **Omnichannel Presence**: 600+ Hot Topic retail locations, 150+ BoxLunch stores, plus robust e-commerce and distribution network.

## Strategic Focus
- Expand BoxLunch store footprint and e-commerce penetration.
- Strengthen direct-to-consumer relationships through social media and influencer partnerships.
- Continue to invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Grow the Her Universe brand and cater to underserved female fandom.
- Optimize supply chain and distribution for faster fulfillment.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Inclusive, collaborative, and authentic environment where employees are encouraged to “be who you are and love what you do.” The company values creativity and innovation.
- **Work Policy**: Hybrid workspace – employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work. Typical time on-site is flexible.
- **Perks & Benefits**: Performance bonuses, family medical leave, job training and talent development programs. Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
- **Career Growth**: Opportunities across retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate HQ. Strong internal mobility, with many employees moving between brands (e.g., talent from GameStop, Target, Vans).
- **Community Impact**: Employees take pride in giving back through partnerships with Feeding America, Mental Health America, and other nonprofits.

## Sources
1. [lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/hottopic) – Hot Topic Inc. careers page
2. [linkedin.com/company/hot-topic](https://linkedin.com/company/hot-topic) – Hot Topic company profile
3. [linkedin.com/company/boxlunch](https://linkedin.com/company/boxlunch) – BoxLunch company profile
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/hot-topic-inc) – Hot Topic Inc. culture, perks, and offices
5. [builtinla.com](https://www.builtinla.com/company/hot-topic-inc) – Hot Topic Inc. Los Angeles office overview

## Other roles at Hot Topic & BoxLunch

- [Sr. Social Media Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-social-media-manager-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-x8xshqjmpm8z) — City of Industry, CA
- [Accounts Payable Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/accounts-payable-supervisor-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-4e8gyvd6b1v2) — City of Industry, CA
- [Purchasing Agent I](https://feeny.ai/job/purchasing-agent-i-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-2jqm9znp21m8) — City of Industry, CA
- [Allocation Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/allocation-analyst-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-tayszfm9zz87) — City of Industry, CA
- [Associate Merchandise Planner](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-merchandise-planner-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-4zc77wwe4fdq) — City of Industry, CA
- [Senior Inventory Accountant](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-inventory-accountant-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-njt5gkg3rame) — City of Industry, CA
- [Fulfillment Team Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/fulfillment-team-lead-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-cka5ca8y90rk) — La Vergne, TN
- [Junior Systems Analyst, WMS](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-systems-analyst-wms-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-xks9s6aa5zqx) — La Vergne, TN
- [Financial Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/financial-analyst-hot-topic-boxlunch-city-of-industry-68y9adc427cd) — City of Industry, CA
- [Equipment Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/equipment-operator-hot-topic-boxlunch-la-vergne-5bedc0esa0dq) — La Vergne, TN