Senior Director Product Design Kids and Newborn, Infant, Toddler (NIT)

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on include labor markets and in some instancesmay include education work experience and addition to your pay Target cares about and invests in you as a team member so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs which may include medical vision dental life insurance and more to help you and your family take care of your whole benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) employee discount short term disability long term disability paid sick leave paid national holidays and paid competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at Us

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Targethere.

At the heart of one of the worlds best loved and most recognizable brands is an impeccable Owned Brand Product Design & Management organization. We thrive on the magic of discovering that just-right thing and we infuse everything we do with our passion for affordable chic. We concept develop make and deliver the stylish new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We are uber-savvy trend and style experts who stay ahead of the curve proactively identifying our markets needs and exceeding them every time. Join one of our dynamic and inventive teams to influence the style quality and value that decisively position Target above the competition. Your input will have a direct and positive effect whether on home hardlines or apparel & accessories. Here youll be close to the action of dreaming up and bringing to life the Target-owned brands that surprise and gratify guests wherever and whenever they love to shop.

Working along with the VP of Product Design & Development for Apparel & Accessories and in partnership with cross-functional peers the Senior Design Director leads the development of creative direction product strategy and product lines to achieve brand positioning guest engagement and merchant objectives for their respective categories. This role is responsible for driving brand differentiation value quality innovation and profitable growth across Targets Owned Brands in Kids and Newborn Infant Toddler (NIT).

The ideal candidate is a visionary design leader who blends future thinking brand-first strategy operational excellence and entrepreneurial agility. They must elevate the leadership bench integrate data-driven decision-making and embrace digital product design to create industry-leading consumer-centric assortments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Design Leadership

• Develop and execute a 13 year strategic product vision including brand positioning trend forecasting materials/color strategy platform development and quality roadmap.
• Shape the creative and strategic direction ensuring differentiation emotional connection and market leadership.
• Provide meaningful input into the Product Design & Development (PD&D) Pyramid Strategy aligning design direction with Targets long-term business and brand goals.
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging consumer trends leveraging technology (GenAI Machine Learning 3D) and implementing cutting-edge product development strategies.

Brand-First Approach

• Champion a guest-centric design strategy that fuses emotional storytelling with product excellence to strengthen Targets Owned Brands.
• Ensure brand direction and product creation are seamless leveraging Targets North Star to align assortments with long-term brand objectives.
• Build a strong and inspired brand portfolio ensuring all designs deliver beyond consumer expectations.

Operational & Business Impact

• Lead multiple divisions including Kids and NIT ensuring strong collaboration across cross functional partners.
• Drive financial growth by providing design solutions that anticipate business needs market shifts and new product opportunities.
• Champion circular design and sustainable innovation embedding responsible design practices into the product lifecycle.

Leadership Culture & Future Readiness

• Lead with a growth mindset fostering a culture of curiosity strategic risk-taking and adaptability.
• Invest in talent upskilling through mentorship coaching and experiential learning ensuring teams remain at the forefront of design sustainability and digital innovation.
• Build a high-performing future-ready team developing succession pipelines and creating clear pathways for career progression.

Digital & Technological Advancement

• Champion a digital-first design approach leveraging GenAI Machine Learning and 3D design tools to enhance design capabilities and vendor collaboration.
• Lead the transition to an integrated digital product creation process ensuring technology enhances design thinking and product execution.

Cross-Functional Influence & Execution

• Drive horizontal leadership by collaborating across Targets Commercial ecosystem ensuring alignment between design merchandising sourcing and operations.
• Partner with key stakeholders to optimize resource allocation budget alignment and operational efficiencies.

About You:

• 4-year degree in Design Fine Arts or related degree.
• 15 years of experience in product design and development in a retail and/or wholesale environment with a successful track record.
• 15 years of experience in Apparel & Accessories design including Kids categories
• Creative visionary from brand concept to product execution; proven brand manager
• Models a guest-centric approach to product design
• Strong knowledge and aptitude of macro-trends and cultural influences
• Demonstrated leadership ability of product design and engineering teams (coaching development and succession planning)
• Outstanding communication presentation negotiation and influencing skills
• Demonstrated high taste level and creative ability with strong commercial sense
• In depth knowledge of design and product development processes product manufacturing and demonstrated expertise in color fabric pattern and product execution
• Domestic and overseas market travel experience

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Targets needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team members core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually depending upon what your role team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location unless otherwise prescribed by Target. Click here if you are curious to learn more about Minnesota.

Benefits Eligibility

In compliance with state and federal laws Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please reach out to Non-accommodation-related requests such as application follow-ups or technical issues will not be addressed through this channel.