Director, Outlet Leathergoods Merchandising

kate spade new york; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(K)

Paid paternity and maternity leave

Commuter benefits

Disability insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Kate Spade New York is seeking an accomplished Merchandising Leader to develop and drive the Outlet Handbags and Small Leathergoods assortment, partnering with Design, GMP, and Product Development to ensure brand-aligned, high-impact product offerings. You will translate consumer insights into compelling product strategies while managing a team and maintaining margins.

The role requires a strong background in Leathergoods merchandising, strategic thinking, and proven leadership overseeing

Qualifications

• Excellent product sensibility and conceptual ability with on-trend vision.
• Demonstrated experience partnering closely with internal Design teams to translate brand vision, customer insights, and business objectives into compelling product assortments and category strategies.
• Previous experience owning product assortment and development.
• Comprehensive understanding of retail math and financial acumen.
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience driving process improvements.
• Ability to take initiative, ownership and accountability for business.
• An exceptional communicator up, down and across the organization.
• Strong sense of teamwork and ability to multi-task.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills with ability to motivate, develop a team and influence partners.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 10+ years merchandising/buying experience with a focus on Leathergoods.
• Minimum 4+ years people management experience

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead and communicate the merchandising product and assortment strategy for Outlet Handbags and Small Leathergoods.
• Create relevant, cohesive and compelling brand-right product assortments that drive business, building newness while not excluding the needs of current customers.
• Partner with Design and Product Development to build and execute an assortment that addresses brand strategies and customer needs. Drive communication of costing needs to maintain margin targets.
• Partner and build effective relationships with Global Merchandise Planning (GMP) and Business Units to effectively influence and drive objectives/customer needs and identify product opportunities globally.
• Actively partner with merchandising peers to ensure synergy across the total product strategy and execution.
• Analyze sales on a weekly basis to gain comprehensive understanding of the state of the business and make recommendations to drive business growth.
• Identify product opportunities through regular hind-sighting that incorporates consumer research, business feedback and sales performance analysis and trends.
• Maintain an in-depth and up to date awareness of the competitive landscape through store visits, on-line review, events, markets, and other means to identify opportunities for future growth and opportunities for the category.
• Maintain updated knowledge of key competitor distribution and pricing strategies.
• Manage team to meet key deliverables, while successfully supporting their growth and development.

Skills

Merchandising Leadership

Leadership & People Management

Analytical Skills

Communication & Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

10+ years merchandising/buying experience (Leathergoods)

Job description

Kate Spade New York is seeking an accomplished Merchandising Leader to develop and drive the Outlet Handbags and Small Leathergoods assortment, partnering with Design, GMP, and Product Development to ensure brand-aligned, high-impact product offerings. You will translate consumer insights into compelling product strategies while managing a team and maintaining margins.

The role requires a strong background in Leathergoods merchandising, strategic thinking, and proven leadership overseeing