SBH Fashion
Creative Director & Merchandiser - Newborn/Toddler Clothing & Accessories
SBH Fashion, New York, New York, us, 10261
Merchandiser – Baby Apparel / Accessories
Job Title
Merchandiser – Baby Apparel / Accessories
Role Overview You will be responsible for developing and leading the design direction, product assortment, merchandising strategy and lifecycle management for newborn/infant/toddler apparel and soft accessories (including bath and bedding) across the brands baby-category brands. You will be the creative and commercial driver: translating consumer insights and brand story into compelling product, ensuring that the product both delights the consumer and delivers profitability. You will report directly to the CEO, partnering closely with senior leadership, sourcing, operations, sales and marketing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Define and articulate the creative vision and aesthetic for the newborn/infant/toddler apparel and accessories category: seasonal themes, color palettes, fabric/trim story, silhouette/shape evolution.
Ensure the product direction aligns with the brand identity, market positioning and target consumer (parents of newborns/infants/toddlers).
Lead seasonal concept development and mood boards, present to CEO and cross-functional leadership.
Stay ahead of trends in children’s apparel, baby textiles, bath/bedding accessories, and translate insights into differentiated product.
Develop assortment plans: product mix (apparel vs accessories vs bath/bedding), category contribution, size ranges, color stories, innovation pieces and core best-sellers.
Set product architecture: defining which items are core, seasonal, innovation; lifecycle planning and drop cadence.
Establish merchandising metrics: target BOM cost, margin expectations, sell‑through goals, inventory turn objectives.
Analyze performance data (sell‑through, margin, inventory aging) and iterate design and assortment accordingly.
Define pricing strategy in collaboration with finance/merchandising, ensuring competitive positioning and profitability.
Oversee design team (or external designers) in creation of product: initial sketches, tech packs, proto samples, fit/color/trims, sign‑off to production.
Collaborate with sourcing, operations and quality to ensure product integrity, fabric/trim safety compliance (especially for children’s categories), cost management and timing.
Approve final pre‑production samples, ensure consistency of brand aesthetic, fit and finish.
Work closely with production/operations to troubleshoot issues (lead times, quality deviations, cost overrun) and mitigate risks.
Report to the CEO and partner with senior leadership on brand business plan, strategic initiatives, and category growth.
Collaborate with sales/retail/e‑commerce teams to ensure product supports channel strategy, promotional needs, seasonal launches and packaging/presentation.
Partner with marketing/visual merchandising to ensure product story is communicated effectively via brand assets, e‑commerce imagery, lookbooks, in‑store presentations.
Lead, mentor and build the internal team (designers, assistants, merchandisers) – providing guidance, fostering creativity, setting objectives and evaluating performance.
Manage budget for the category: design/development costs, sampling, materials, margin forecasting.
Ensure timely calendar execution: design sign‑offs, sourcing/trim decisions, proto approvals, pre‑production, bulk shipment dates.
Monitor product performance post‑launch: analyze KPIs (sell‑through, markdowns, inventory turn, replenishment success) and promptly adjust strategy for upcoming seasons.
Ensure compliance with product safety and regulatory standards (especially critical in baby/children’s categories: fabric safety – flammability, chemical/lead testing).
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, Business, Textile Design or equivalent.
8–12+ years of experience in design and merchandising leadership, specifically in children’s apparel/accessories or baby products (newborn/infant/toddler) preferred.
Proven track record of creating commercially successful product lines in the children’s or baby space (apparel and/or accessories/bedding).
Strong creative vision with the ability to translate into product and drive merchandising strategy.
Deep understanding of fabric, trim and construction as it relates to children’s/infant garments, bath textiles, bedding – plus regulatory/safety considerations.
Excellent analytical skills: comfortable with numbers, margin/cost modelling, sell‑through analysis and inventory metrics.
Outstanding leadership and communication skills: ability to lead creative teams, collaborate cross‑functionally, present to CEO and senior leadership.
Highly organized and deadline‑driven; able to manage multiple seasons, product categories, and development cycles simultaneously.
Passion for children’s lifestyle, baby market trends, and an understanding of the consumer (parents, gift market, retail channels).
Knowledge of omni‑channel retail (brick & mortar and e‑commerce) and how product assortment, packaging and launch strategy differ by channel.
Seniority Level:
Director
Employment Type:
Full‑time
Job Function:
Marketing and Sales
Location:
New York City Metropolitan Area
Salary:
$115,000.00 - $125,000.00
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Merchandiser – Baby Apparel / Accessories
Role Overview You will be responsible for developing and leading the design direction, product assortment, merchandising strategy and lifecycle management for newborn/infant/toddler apparel and soft accessories (including bath and bedding) across the brands baby-category brands. You will be the creative and commercial driver: translating consumer insights and brand story into compelling product, ensuring that the product both delights the consumer and delivers profitability. You will report directly to the CEO, partnering closely with senior leadership, sourcing, operations, sales and marketing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Define and articulate the creative vision and aesthetic for the newborn/infant/toddler apparel and accessories category: seasonal themes, color palettes, fabric/trim story, silhouette/shape evolution.
Ensure the product direction aligns with the brand identity, market positioning and target consumer (parents of newborns/infants/toddlers).
Lead seasonal concept development and mood boards, present to CEO and cross-functional leadership.
Stay ahead of trends in children’s apparel, baby textiles, bath/bedding accessories, and translate insights into differentiated product.
Develop assortment plans: product mix (apparel vs accessories vs bath/bedding), category contribution, size ranges, color stories, innovation pieces and core best-sellers.
Set product architecture: defining which items are core, seasonal, innovation; lifecycle planning and drop cadence.
Establish merchandising metrics: target BOM cost, margin expectations, sell‑through goals, inventory turn objectives.
Analyze performance data (sell‑through, margin, inventory aging) and iterate design and assortment accordingly.
Define pricing strategy in collaboration with finance/merchandising, ensuring competitive positioning and profitability.
Oversee design team (or external designers) in creation of product: initial sketches, tech packs, proto samples, fit/color/trims, sign‑off to production.
Collaborate with sourcing, operations and quality to ensure product integrity, fabric/trim safety compliance (especially for children’s categories), cost management and timing.
Approve final pre‑production samples, ensure consistency of brand aesthetic, fit and finish.
Work closely with production/operations to troubleshoot issues (lead times, quality deviations, cost overrun) and mitigate risks.
Report to the CEO and partner with senior leadership on brand business plan, strategic initiatives, and category growth.
Collaborate with sales/retail/e‑commerce teams to ensure product supports channel strategy, promotional needs, seasonal launches and packaging/presentation.
Partner with marketing/visual merchandising to ensure product story is communicated effectively via brand assets, e‑commerce imagery, lookbooks, in‑store presentations.
Lead, mentor and build the internal team (designers, assistants, merchandisers) – providing guidance, fostering creativity, setting objectives and evaluating performance.
Manage budget for the category: design/development costs, sampling, materials, margin forecasting.
Ensure timely calendar execution: design sign‑offs, sourcing/trim decisions, proto approvals, pre‑production, bulk shipment dates.
Monitor product performance post‑launch: analyze KPIs (sell‑through, markdowns, inventory turn, replenishment success) and promptly adjust strategy for upcoming seasons.
Ensure compliance with product safety and regulatory standards (especially critical in baby/children’s categories: fabric safety – flammability, chemical/lead testing).
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, Business, Textile Design or equivalent.
8–12+ years of experience in design and merchandising leadership, specifically in children’s apparel/accessories or baby products (newborn/infant/toddler) preferred.
Proven track record of creating commercially successful product lines in the children’s or baby space (apparel and/or accessories/bedding).
Strong creative vision with the ability to translate into product and drive merchandising strategy.
Deep understanding of fabric, trim and construction as it relates to children’s/infant garments, bath textiles, bedding – plus regulatory/safety considerations.
Excellent analytical skills: comfortable with numbers, margin/cost modelling, sell‑through analysis and inventory metrics.
Outstanding leadership and communication skills: ability to lead creative teams, collaborate cross‑functionally, present to CEO and senior leadership.
Highly organized and deadline‑driven; able to manage multiple seasons, product categories, and development cycles simultaneously.
Passion for children’s lifestyle, baby market trends, and an understanding of the consumer (parents, gift market, retail channels).
Knowledge of omni‑channel retail (brick & mortar and e‑commerce) and how product assortment, packaging and launch strategy differ by channel.
Seniority Level:
Director
Employment Type:
Full‑time
Job Function:
Marketing and Sales
Location:
New York City Metropolitan Area
Salary:
$115,000.00 - $125,000.00
#J-18808-Ljbffr