Job Title: VP, Division Manager - Children's Apparel
Location: New York, NY
Reports To: SVP Sales & Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview:The
VP, Division Manager will act as both the commercial and creative driver of the division-blending strong merchant instincts with deep operational execution. This role owns the product lifecycle from concept through delivery and is responsible for leading the merchandising vision, driving product strategy, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering business results. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in building assortments that align with mass retail needs, hitting cost and margin targets, and delivering at scale with speed and accuracy.
Wholesale experience with mass, department and/or off-price retailers is a must. Key Responsibilities:Division & Merchandising Leadership- Serve as the lead merchant for the children's division, setting merchandising strategies that align with retail partner goals and consumer demand.
- Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, ensuring a well-balanced, commercially viable, and trend-aware assortment across categories and price tiers.
- Develop and manage the product line architecture, focusing on depth, breadth, margin, and differentiation across programs.
- Ensure the merchandising vision is aligned with retail calendars, floor sets, and financial objectives.
Creative Direction & Product Development- Direct the in-house Design team in developing cohesive, brand-right collections rooted in consumer insights and competitive analysis.
- Guide the team on domestic and international comp shopping trips to identify trends, color direction, and silhouette opportunities.
- Partner with Sales and Design to shape assortments that reflect retail partner assortments and customer preferences.
- Review product lines and ensure merchant discipline around SKU counts, category performance, and pricing ladders.
Cross-Functional & Operational Execution- Collaborate with Sales, Planning, and Finance on pricing, costing, and margin targets; oversee top-down and bottom-up assortment planning.
- Lead merchandise line reviews and customer presentations; use data-driven insights to recommend adjustments to product strategy.
- Partner with Production and Sourcing to place product into appropriate factories, track WIP, and ensure all goods are delivered on time and within budget.
- Monitor product development milestones, ensuring timelines are met from initial concept through procurement, shipping, and distribution.
Retail Partner Management- Act as a key strategic liaison for mass retail accounts such as Target, Macy's, Sam's Club, Ross, Burlington, Fred Meyer, Academy Sports, Tractor Supply and others.
- Present merchandise strategies, line plans, and performance recaps directly to buyers and senior merchant teams.
- Customize assortments and go-to-market strategies for each retailer based on shopper behavior, sales history, and category insights.
Qualifications:- 10+ years of experience in merchandising, product line management, or sales within the apparel industry, with a focus on children's wear and mass market retail.
- 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role managing cross-functional teams, product lines, and account-specific strategies.
- Strong merchant background with proven success in building and delivering product assortments that drive volume and margin.
- Expertise in apparel sourcing, cost negotiations, and managing vendor relationships across global production hubs.
- Strong financial and analytical acumen; experienced in margin planning, open-to-buy discussions, and sales forecasting.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience leading line reviews with national retailers.
- Experience working in a private label or licensed apparel environment.
- Strong relationships with mass merchants and understanding of retail calendars, floor sets, and planogram requirements.
- Familiarity with PLM systems, Excel, and ERP platforms.
If you are a product-obsessed merchant with sharp financial instincts, strong leadership experience, and the ability to translate trends into scalable product strategies for major retailers, we'd love to hear from you.
