Director, Fabric Development & Innovation

Little Sleepies•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Little Sleepies is seeking an exceptional Director of Fabrication— a seasoned individual contributor who will own the company's fabric product innovation agenda. It is a high-impact strategic role for someone who is energized by thinking, building, and influencing — and who wants ownership of holistic fabric innovation capability at one of the most exciting growth brands in kids apparel.

Requirements

10–12 years of progressive fabrication strategy, product development, or innovation experience within kids apparel or a closely adjacent consumer product apparel category
Background in fabric engineering, textile science, or materials development strongly preferred; hands-on experience with fabric construction, finishing, or performance testing a significant plus
Deep fabric and construction literacy — comfortable in vendor and mill conversations, able to evaluate materials technically and commercially
Proven experience owning a product strategy or innovation function, not just executing product, but defining what gets built and why
Strong external antenna. You shop the market obsessively, attend trade shows, and translate trend into product opportunity instinctively
Track record of driving category expansion within a high-growth brand
Exceptional ability to influence without authority — you build trust and alignment across creative and operational teams through the quality of your thinking
Comfortable as a senior individual contributor — energized by doing, not managing
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-output product environment; or DTC brand experience a strong plus

Nice To Haves

Ideally Bachelor's Degree in Textile Development, Textile Management.

Responsibilities

Partner closely with the Director of Product Development to build an 18-month materials innovation pipeline
Drive technical innovation by working directly with the vendor and mill base to identify next-generation fabric treatments, alternative fabric platforms, and construction innovations
Evaluate new materials against Little Sleepies' core brand promises — softness, durability, trust — and commercial feasibility
Own the process of moving promising materials from exploration to prototype to commercial integration
Be the internal authority on what is happening externally—fabric trend direction, competitive landscape, white space opportunities, emerging materials, best-in-class fabric development and innovation in the broader apparel market, and shifts in consumer behavior
Conduct regular apparel market and competitive analysis, trade show attendance, and market research to keep Little Sleepies ahead of the category
Translate external intelligence into internal product briefs, strategic recommendations, and innovation opportunities
Serve as the strategic bridge owning fabrication strategy between design (VP, Design) and product development (Director, PD) — ensuring innovation priorities are understood, embraced, and embedded in both teams' work
Partner with VP, Merchandising and VP, Design to ensure the fabric innovation roadmap is grounded in commercial reality and assortment strategy

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off, vacation
Sick days
Paid holidays
Short and long-term disability
Life insurance
401(k)
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Home office stipend
Internet stipend
Company discount
Team building activities
Company-issued computer
Free pajamas & Play product when you join (and every year on your work anniversary!) and a generous employee discount all year long to keep you cozy