VP, Design

Serving the needs of all families with young childrenCarters Inc. is the largest North American apparel retailer exclusively for babies and young children encompassing Carters OshKosh Bgosh Skip*Hop and Little Planet brands. Meaningful work constant learning genuine people and a community guided by core values that promote inclusion and innovation is in everything we do. There are many reasons to build your career at Carters.

HOW YOULL MAKE AN IMPACT:
The VP Design is responsible for design from concept through execution for Carters and OshKosh Kid brands girl boy and accessories SBUs. They will be a key leader in the organization with deep understanding of market trends creative direction and the ability to collaborate effectively cross functionally. This leader will deliver compelling assortments that are trend appropriate commercially viable and represent the true DNA of our brands. The VP Design will be a collaborative and inspiring leader a strong team developer and motivator and serves as a passionate brand ambassador.

This role reports to our SVP Art & Design and is responsible for a team of 3 direct reports and 12 total team members. The role is based in our Buckhead corporate office with limited travel required.

55% Creative Direction

• Drive design art and creative concepts that demonstrate innovative brand-right creative
• Lead all creative aspects for the brand including art and silhouette development for all categories
• Identify key opportunities and align with key partners to execute strategies and brand POV
• Shop the market (competitive and aspirational) and research trends that ideate fresh ideas for the brand and communicate visually to the team and create clear points of differentiation from the market
• Prepare seasonal inspiration boards for color art and styles
• Drive cohesive creative art and product presentations including boards tear sheets samples & color for all internal presentations

25% Design Strategy

• Translate each unique brand vision into strategies that deliver sales and profit growth working with the cross functional team to meet all financial requirements
• Continuously drive innovation to improve process and efficiency while maintaining style quality and value to the consumer
• Lead all aspects of the product design process including research mood board creation design creation and sketching while meeting product development deadlines
• Manage all details of the product to beginning to end with support and collaboration from cross functional team; creatively problem solve where necessary to deliver best in class assortments
• Partner directly with Merchandising to develop and execute product strategies
• Execute against margin and quality expectation metrics
• Drive process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce complexity
• Partner with merchandising PDC Asia sourcing and vendor to achieve vendor-led product development targets
• Lead trend support
• Deliver a clear understanding of our core consumer to inform creative direction

20% Cross Functional Leadership and Consensus Building

• Responsible for developing design talent and skill at all levels (Assistants through Directors)
• Proactively partner with merchandising and PDC to deliver product that drives growth and profitability while meeting all quality safety fit and brand standards
• Lead and collaborate with cross functional team to drive product innovation that supports seasonal strategies and Carters initiatives
• Utilize knowledge of brand positioning and competitive landscape to drive strategies for improved product in all categories
• Attend fit meetings and actively engage team to clearly communicate design intent and fit while balancing cost quality and safety requirements
• Provide creative direction and process management of vendor-led product development initiative

WED LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF:
Must have:

• Successful experience leading the design strategy for a large retail brand from concept to finished products (with at least 5 years at the Director level)
• Demonstrated ability to lead transformational initiatives or strategic shifts that yield results
• Demonstrated ability to translate brand vision and strategy to team and external partners while driving clear alignment to the business
• Proven productive cross functional partner relationships that drive the work forward; experienced in leading through change
• Resilient leader with ability to develop high performing teams with the mindset to exceed expectations in an ever changing fast paced retail environment
• Strong player coach with proven history of developing and growing others at all levels
• Proficient knowledge of garment construction silhouettes color ways sewing techniques fabrication and trim
• Demonstrates excellent sense of style and color through portfolio of professional work
• Expert knowledge of Adobe suite mainly InDesign Illustrator and Photoshop required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tool

Preferred skills and experience:

• Strong understanding of financial impact to margin
• Proven ability to drive financial results and exceed goals
• Experience working with a wholesale channel or external partners/vendors

Prior Work Experience and Educational Requirements:

• Must have strong garment construction and design experience with knits wovens and accessories
• 12 years of progressive fashion design experience required
• Associates/Bachelors degree preferred or experience commensurate with the role required

OUR TEAM MEMBERS:

• Lead Courageously: Have a strong sense of personal values that align with our Company values
• Collaborates Broadly: Build cooperation trust and thrive in a consensus driven environment
• Customer Focus: Proactively seek opportunities to leverage data and fact-based insights to serve customers and/or internal clients
• Drive Growth: Set aggressive goals and implement plans precisely
• Cultivates Innovation: Respectfully challenge the weve always done it this way mentality and explore new ways to achieve desired outcomes

MAKE A CAREER AT CARTERS:

• Career Development: Success starts from within and we have several paths from which you can choose to enhance your career evolution. From Carters University to Toastmasters to mentorship programs and more we encourage you to utilize these tools to elevate your professional prowess.

Carters is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age veteran status or any other status protected by federal state or local law.