Director of Design and Merchandising (socks and Legwear)

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Design and Merchandising for legwear (socks, hosiery) to lead our team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the fashion and retail industries, and the ability to drive business growth through strategic product planning and development. This role requires collaboration with design, production, sales, licensing and marketing teams to ensure our product offerings are aligned with market trends and customer demand. Will be leading Design Team on Trend and ideal candidate will be able to step in when needed..

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the entire merchandising process, from concept development to final production, ensuring timely and successful product launches.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging fashion trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities.
• Understand the competitive marketplace and pursue white space opportunities that align with company strategies.
• Develop and implement merchandising strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and brand positioning.
• Collaborate with the design, production and sales teams to create trend-right and commercially viable product assortments within a T&A calendar.
• Manage product assortment planning and pricing strategies.
• Establish strong relationships with key retail partners to understand their needs and enhance product offerings that also fit within retail and budget constraints.
• Collaborate closely with sales and marketing teams to develop effective seasonal product launches.
• Work with the licensing team to make informed decisions on existing brands and help identify new brand opportunities.
• Manage product approvals with licensors while ensuring quality standards are met.
• Merchandise showrooms with sales in preparation for important meetings and seasonal changeover
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of designers and product developers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Evaluate and suggest processes and workflows to increase efficiency and productivity.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or a related field.
• 5- 7 years of experience in merchandising, with at least 2 years in a leadership role within the fashion wholesale industry.
• Strong understanding of market trends, retail dynamics, and product development.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication, management and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PLM, ERP, or other merchandising-related software.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative and fast-paced work environment with growth opportunities.
• Be a key player in shaping the future of a well-established and growing company.
  
  

Benefits and Perks:

• Hybrid work schedule (4 days onsite; 1 day work from home) & early Fridays
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage with FSA or HSA options
• Pet insurance and pet discounts
• Discounted life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance
• 401K & Profit sharing
  
  

Salary $100,000 - $150,000