Operations Manager - Children's Apparel

Confidential; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

TransitCheck benefit

Generous PTO

Job summary

Confidential, an established children’s apparel import company in New York, seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations, strengthen controls and drive growth. The role reports to the President and collaborates with merchandising, production, logistics, finance, technology, and administration.

Initial priorities include strengthening cross-department accountability, improving workflows and reporting, modernizing systems, and creating performance metrics and a culture of

Qualifications

• 10+ years of operations experience in wholesale apparel.
• Strong knowledge of overseas production, importing and logistics.
• Experience with ERP, PLM, accounting software, databases and tech solutions.
• Proven ability to drive efficiency and accountability in a private/entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee logistics, supply chain, inventory ops, vendor relations, offshore teams, and admin functions.
• Lead PO issuance through importing, inventory receipt, allocation, retailer compliance, and delivery.
• Supervise style creation, overseas PO, bookings, import shipments, customs, order entry, EDI, allocation, routing, shipping, invoicing.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, vendor performance and margins.
• Lead ERP/PLM/EDI and other systems evaluation, implementation, and optimization with finance and partners.
• Support hiring, training, and performance management for ops and admin teams.
• Manage relationships with vendors, freight providers, warehouses and 3PLs.

Skills

Operations leadership

Logistics management

Supply chain

ERP systems

PLM software

EDI

Vendor management

Change management

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP software

PLM software

Accounting software

Databases

AI/automation tools

Job description

An established children’s apparel import company with more than 35 years in business and approximately 60 employees.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations, strengthen controls and accountability, modernize systems, and support the company’s next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role with broad authority to establish operating procedures, implement systems, develop performance metrics, and drive execution across departments. The Director reports to the President and works closely with leaders in merchandising, production, logistics, sales support, finance, technology, and administration.

Initial Priorities

• Strengthen operational controls and cross-departmental accountability.
• Improve workflows, reporting, communication, and on-time execution.
• Modernize systems and reduce reliance on manual processes.
• Create clear performance metrics and a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee logistics, supply chain, inventory operations, vendor relationships, offshore support teams, and operational and administrative functions, both directly and through department leaders.
• Manage the operational flow from purchase-order issuance through importing, inventory receipt, allocation, retailer compliance, and customer delivery.
• Supervise: style creation, overseas purchase order creation, bookings, import shipments, customs clearance, order entry, EDI, allocation, routing, shipping, and invoicing.
• Establish and monitor KPIs including inventory accuracy, order fulfillment, on-time delivery, vendor performance, chargebacks, margins, and departmental productivity.
• Lead the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of ERP, PLM, EDI, database, AI, automation, and other business systems, working closely with finance and external technology partners.
• Support hiring, training, development, and performance management for operational, administrative, and support teams.
• Manage relationships with vendors, freight providers, warehouses, third-party logistics providers, and other key operating partners.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of operations experience, including significant wholesale apparel experience; children’s apparel experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of overseas production, importing, inventory management, logistics, retailer compliance, EDI, chargebacks, warehouse operations, and wholesale distribution.
• Experience with ERP, PLM, accounting software, databases, and business technology, with the ability to identify and implement practical AI, automation, and process-improvement solutions.
• Proven success improving efficiency, accountability, team performance, and organizational results in a privately owned or entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, gain cooperation across departments, and balance strategic planning with hands-on problem-solving and daily execution.
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.

Compensation and Location

• Salary based on experience and qualifications, plus benefits.
• Schedule: On-site in Midtown Manhattan, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• TransitCheck benefit
• Generous PTO