DIRECTOR OF MERCHANDISING - Kids

Hawkeye Search Group; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawkeye Search Group is seeking a Director of Merchandising to lead the Kids business for a fast-paced apparel organization. You will own merchandising and product direction, working closely with Design, Sales, Production, and Sourcing to bring the right product to market in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in Kids Apparel Merchandising, with leadership experience, and a strong track record in high-volume retail accounts.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Kids Apparel Merchandising, with leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of the Kids apparel market, product, trends and customers.
• Experience working closely with Design and Product Development teams.
• Strong background in high-volume apparel.
• Experience with mass-market, off-price, value, club, or major retail accounts is a major plus.
• Strong understanding of the product lifecycle from concept through production.

Responsibilities

• Lead the merchandising strategy and product direction for the Kids business.
• Partner closely with Design, Sales, Production, and Sourcing from concept through production.
• Identify trends, customer needs, and market opportunities and translate them into commercially successful product.
• Work closely with Design on product concepts, graphics, color, silhouettes, and seasonal direction.
• Build assortments tailored to specific customers, channels, and price points.
• Manage product development, ensuring products meet customer, cost, margin, quality, and timing requirements.
• Analyze sales, market, and competitive trends to identify new opportunities.
• Manage multiple seasons, categories, customers, and deadlines.
• Lead and mentor the merchandising team while remaining hands-on in the business.

Skills

Kids Merchandising

Leadership

Retail Partnerships

Product Development

Strategic Thinking

Communication

On-site Collaboration

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a Director of Merchandising to lead the Kids business for a fast-paced, high-volume apparel organization. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role overseeing the merchandising and product direction for the Kids division. The ideal candidate understands both the commercial and creative sides of the business and can work closely with Design, Sales, Production, and Sourcing to bring the right product to market. We are looking for someone who is entrepreneurial, scrappy, commercially minded, and comfortable taking ownership in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the merchandising strategy and product direction for the Kids business.
• Partner closely with Design, Sales, Production, and Sourcing from concept through production.
• Identify trends, customer needs, and market opportunities and translate them into commercially successful product.
• Work closely with Design on product concepts, graphics, color, silhouettes, and seasonal direction.
• Build assortments tailored to specific customers, channels, and price points.
• Manage product development, ensuring products meet customer, cost, margin, quality, and timing requirements.
• Analyze sales, market, and competitive trends to identify new opportunities.
• Manage multiple seasons, categories, customers, and deadlines.
• Lead and mentor the merchandising team while remaining hands‑on in the business.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Kids Apparel Merchandising experience, including leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of the Kids apparel market, product, trends, and customers.
• Experience working closely with Design and Product Development teams.
• Strong background in high-volume apparel.
• Experience with mass-market, off-price, value, club, or major retail accounts strongly preferred.
• Experience with Walmart, Costco, TJX, Ross, Burlington, Target, or similar retailers is a major plus.
• Strong understanding of the product lifecycle from concept through production.
• Strong commercial instincts and ability to balance trend, customer needs, cost, margin, and speed to market.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Scrappy, entrepreneurial, and hands‑on approach to problem solving.
• Ability to work 4 days per week onsite in Jersey City, NJ.

Salary: $150,000 - $200,000 base, BOE