Location:
Hybrid, with three days minimum out of our brand new, state of the art headquarters in Los Angeles, CA
Visa Sponsorship:
This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.
The Role:
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.
What you'll do:
Materials & Fabric Innovation Pipeline
- 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
Market, Competitive & Consumer Intelligence
- 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
Cross-Functional Innovation Leadership
- 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
What you'll bring to the team:
- 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
- Ideally Bachelor's Degree in Textile Development, Textile Management.
What we're excited to offer you:
- Ability to work cross functionally with a fast-growing team, with smile-sparking products that turn everyday moments into magical memories
- A supportive environment that fosters and encourages new ideas and innovation
- The opportunity to stock your drawers with Little Sleepies! 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
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
