Design Director (Baby & Toddler)

Garan, Incorporated • New York, NY

8d

About The Position

We are seeking a versatile and innovative Design Director to lead the creative direction and product development for our Baby and toddler Apparel Program. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the intersection of innovation, style, and accessibility, with a proven track record of managing teams, design co-collaboration, and executing strategic vision to drive results.
This role will be responsible for managing a private brand for a mass-market retailer, working in close partnership with the retailer’s design and product development teams to ensure alignment on creative direction, product standards, and seasonal strategies. The Design Director will foster strong cross-functional relationships to deliver compelling, trend-right assortments that meet both business objectives and customer needs.

Requirements

• 15+ years in children’s apparel design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing teams and cross-functional process for major retailers.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong skills in creative problem solving, trend forecasting, comp shopping, garment construction, and whitespace analysis.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for innovation, style, and accessibility in children’s apparel.
• Strong understanding of fit, fabric technology, and production processes.
• Ability to manage up, communicate priorities, and guide teams through ambiguity.
• Experience launching brands, reviving business, and executing strategic vision.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process for a private brand, ensuring all products meet retailer standards for design, quality, fit, and value.
• Co-collaborate with the retailer’s design and PD teams to synchronize seasonal strategies, share market insights, and drive innovation in product offerings.
• Build strong partnerships with retail partners, synthesizing diverse stakeholder opinions from design, product development, and sales to drive cohesive decision-making in brand direction.
• Drive seasonal design strategy, trend forecasting, and whitespace analysis for Baby & Toddler.
• Champion adoption and optimization of design tools (Adobe Illustrator, Miro, PLM, Browzwear 3D Fit, and Microsoft Office).
• Advocate for brand standards in hand feel, quality, and garment construction.
• Lead, mentor, and coach designers, providing individualized feedback and support to enhance skills and professional development.
• Ideate and present strategic initiatives to senior leadership, securing buy-in for growth and profitability.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that encourages creative problem solving and project prioritization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees