Direct-Hire- Sr Designer & Merchandiser -Onsite- New York

DIRECT-HIRE

• SR

DESIGNER & MERCHANDISER

• ONSITE
• NEW YORK Contract type Full-Time Location New York, NJ Specialty Fashion Salary 200000
• 300000 Remote No Reference 510722 Contact name Zoe Huse Job description A growing women's apparel company is seeking a highly experienced Senior Merchandiser & Designer to lead end-to-end merchandising, product development, sourcing, and design across key women's apparel categories.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone with deep industry expertise, strong fashion sensibility, and the ability to drive product from concept through production while balancing commercial strategy and creative vision. This role is ideal for someone with a strong commercial mindset, elevated fashion sensibility, and deep expertise bringing product from initial concept through production while aligning with market demand, margin goals, and customer expectations. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience across woven tops, knits, sweaters, dresses, and bottoms, with strong knowledge of trend forecasting, garment construction, fit, sourcing, costing, and private label / branded product development. Additional plus: Candidates with women's apparel sales experience or direct experience partnering closely with key retail accounts / buyers will be especially attractive, as this role requires strong commercial instincts and customer-facing business acumen.

Key Responsibilities:

Merchandising / Product Development / Business Strategy

• Lead end-to-end merchandising, product development, and assortment strategy across women's contemporary apparel categories
• Develop seasonal assortments based on trend direction, customer demand, retail opportunities, and business objectives
• Partner closely with sales teams, buyers, vendors, factories, and production partners to execute product strategy and drive business growth
• Manage costing, vendor negotiations, pricing architecture, margin analysis, and sourcing strategy
• Oversee development calendars, production timelines, shipment execution, and delivery milestones
• Maintain purchase orders, sampling approvals, tech packs, and production documentation
• Conduct competitive analysis, market research, and category performance reviews to inform product direction
• Ensure product quality, fit integrity, compliance standards, and executional excellence
• Monitor inventory flow, production status, and operational milestones Design / Trend Direction
• Lead seasonal concept development and creative product direction across key women's categories
• Research global trends, fabrics, color direction, silhouettes, and consumer insights to inform assortment strategy
• Create mood boards, seasonal concepts, color palettes, and product presentations
• Partner closely with technical design, patternmaking, and sample teams on fit, construction, and execution
• Select fabrics, trims, washes, embellishments, and materials aligned with brand direction and customer demand
• Review and approve proto samples, fit samples, sales samples, and final production approvals

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in women's contemporary apparel merchandising, design, sourcing, and/or product development
• Deep category expertise in woven tops, knits, sweaters, dresses, and bottoms
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, fabrics, trims, sourcing, and apparel manufacturing
• Proven experience developing both private label and branded collections
• Strong trend forecasting skills with the ability to create mood boards / seasonal product concepts
• Strong costing, pricing, negotiation, and margin management experience
• Experience managing vendor relationships, production execution, and cross-functional teams
• Women's apparel sales experience or direct retail account partnership experience is a strong plus
• Proven leadership experience overseeing teams in fast-paced entrepreneurial environments
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and negotiation skills
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, Textiles, or related field preferred Zoe Huse View Zoe Huse's Jobs Benefits offered See Benefits