Design Director – Girls (Infant/Toddler 4–6)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director – Girls (Infant/Toddler 4–6)

Company: G&W Kids LLC

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Product Development

Date Posted: April 22, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day WFH)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative vision and product strategy for the Girls' Infant/Toddler (4-6) division, encompassing sportswear, dresses, and layette.

• Oversee the end-to-end design and development of seasonal collections, ensuring alignment with brand DNA and commercial success.

• Drive design excellence and flawless execution from concept ideation through to production, with a strong emphasis on sample accuracy and timely delivery.

• Foster a collaborative environment, partnering closely with Sales, Merchandising, and Production teams to deliver compelling, brand-right assortments.

• Manage and mentor a design team, guiding them through concept, sampling, and production stages while ensuring adherence to quality and timeline standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Design Director in apparel, particularly within a wholesale manufacturing context like G&W Kids LLC (Golden Touch), implies a blend of creative leadership and robust product development execution. This is not just about aesthetic direction but also about deep understanding of manufacturing processes, cost implications, and retailer-specific requirements. The "Girls – infant/ toddler, 4 - 6" specialization indicates a need for expertise in children's apparel trends, sizing, and safety considerations for this age group.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product & Design Leadership:

  • Define and execute the creative vision for the Girls' Infant/Toddler (4-6) product lines, including sportswear, dresses, and layette.
  • Oversee the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept and trend research to final sample approval and production readiness.
  • Ensure the timely and accurate execution of seasonal product collections, managing daily communication with overseas offices for sample development.
  • Plan and curate the product line based on style plans, specific client needs, and emerging market trends.
  • Conduct rigorous marketplace and competitive set analysis to identify product opportunities and maintain design relevance.
  • Inspect and approve all product samples, ensuring they meet design specifications, quality standards, and commercial viability.

• Technical & Production Oversight:

  • Create detailed tech packs, flat sketches, and provide precise construction comments for accurate product development.
  • Collaborate closely with the technical team to guide and correct fit samples, ensuring optimal garment fit and comfort.
  • Direct Tech Pack Designers to ensure seamless information flow from costing through to production stages.
  • Manage approvals, corrections, and updates for all product aspects, communicating effectively with Production Coordinators.
  • Adhere strictly to the production calendar and all associated deadlines, ensuring on-time delivery of product lines.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategy:

  • Partner with Merchandising and Sales teams to ensure product assortments align with concept direction, SKU plans, and styling requirements.

  • Manage account-specific design requirements, ensuring all retailer needs are met.

  • Stay informed about competitive landscapes and industry trends, translating insights into actionable design strategies for the brand.

  • Contribute to a positive and challenging work environment that fosters creativity and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Communicate with overseas offices daily" and "oversee the product and sample execution" highlights the critical need for strong project management and communication skills, particularly in managing international supply chains common in apparel manufacturing. The mention of "account specific requirements" suggests a need for adaptability and understanding of diverse client needs within a wholesale model.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in apparel design and/or product development, with a strong focus on children's wear.

• Proven track record of success in leading design initiatives for girls' apparel, specifically within the infant/toddler (4-6) age range.

Required Skills:

• Product Design & Development: Expertise in conceptualizing, designing, and developing full product lines from ideation to execution.

• Adobe Illustrator Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed flat sketches, technical drawings, and design presentations.

• Technical Design & Construction: Deep understanding of garment construction, fabric properties (knits and wovens), and manufacturing processes relevant to children's apparel.

• Trend Forecasting & Market Analysis: Ability to research, identify, and translate market trends and competitive insights into commercially viable product designs.

• Merchandising Acumen: Strong merchandising sensibility and understanding of line planning, SKU management, and commercial product alignment.

• Sample Management: Proven ability to oversee and approve sample execution, ensuring accuracy and adherence to design intent.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills for effective cross-functional communication and stakeholder engagement.

• Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a design team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with creating comprehensive tech packs with detailed construction comments.

• Familiarity with layette product design and specific requirements.

• Experience presenting to executive-level management, including CEOs.

• Ability to travel internationally for sourcing and production oversight.

• Hands-on experience in designing actual products, not just directing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Vast knowledge of fabric and construction with a focus on boy’s woven and knit tops" is a slight contradiction given the role is for "Girls" division. This will be interpreted as a general need for strong fabric and construction knowledge applicable across apparel, with a specific emphasis on the types of fabrics used in girls' sportswear and dresses. The "7+ years" experience and "Director" title clearly place this role at a mid-to-senior leadership level within the operations and design hierarchy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive design projects for children's apparel (infant/toddler 4-6), demonstrating a full product lifecycle from concept to final sample.

• Include examples of seasonal line plans, mood boards, color palettes, and fabric selections.

• Present detailed tech packs, flat sketches, and construction comments for a variety of garment types (sportswear, dresses, layette).

• Demonstrate experience in managing overseas sample execution and providing clear, actionable feedback.

Process Documentation:

• Include case studies or examples of how you have managed production calendars and met strict deadlines.

• Showcase experience in collaborating with merchandising and sales teams to align product assortments with business objectives.

• Provide examples of how you have managed account-specific requirements and ensured client satisfaction.

• Illustrate your approach to inspecting and approving production samples, emphasizing quality control and commercial viability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role in apparel manufacturing, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about aesthetics but also about demonstrating a deep understanding of the process of bringing a garment to market. This includes technical design, production management, and cross-functional alignment. The emphasis should be on showing how you achieved results, not just the final product.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000 USD per year

• Methodology: This range is based on the provided New York pay rate and industry benchmarks for Design Director roles with 7+ years of experience in the apparel manufacturing sector. Factors such as specialized skills in children's wear, leadership experience, and the specific demands of a wholesale environment in a high-cost-of-living area like New York City are considered.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

• Employee Discount: Potential for employee discounts on company apparel.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning and career advancement within the organization.

• Hybrid Work Arrangement: Flexibility with a 4-day in-office and 1-day work-from-home schedule.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid schedule allows for flexibility, with 4 days expected in the New York office and 1 day remote. Adherence to the production calendar and seasonal demands may require occasional flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly provided. Benefits are standard for a full-time role in this industry and location, with the hybrid arrangement being a significant perk. The "working hours" note emphasizes the need for operational flexibility inherent in the apparel production cycle.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wholesale Apparel Manufacturing

Company Size: Family-owned and operated for nearly 50 years, specializing in private label brands for mass-market retailers globally. While the exact employee count isn't specified, the "family owned" nature suggests a potentially close-knit culture with established processes.

Founded: Approximately 50 years ago, indicating a long-standing presence and deep industry experience.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: Led by this Design Director, responsible for creative vision and product execution for specific divisions (e.g., Girls' Infant/Toddler).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close partnerships are expected with Sales, Merchandising, Production, and Technical Design teams.

• Reporting: The Design Director likely reports to a VP of Design, Head of Product, or potentially a senior executive given the company's structure.

• Overseas Offices: Daily interaction with international teams is a key aspect of the operational structure.

Methodology:

• Trend-Driven Product Development: Focus on delivering "trend focused products" to mass-market retailers.

• Private Label Specialization: Expertise in developing and manufacturing apparel lines tailored to the specific branding and requirements of retail partners.

• Quality & Efficiency: Emphasis on ensuring "design excellence, commercial relevance, and flawless execution" and adhering to production calendars.

• Data-Informed Design: While creative, the role requires balancing aesthetics with commercial viability, suggesting a data-informed approach to line planning and trend adoption.

Company Website: Golden Touch Group (implied by domain "goldentouchgroup.com" and company description)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's description as a "family owned and operated wholesale apparel manufacturer" suggests a culture that might balance established traditions with the need for modern design and efficiency. The longevity of the company implies stability and deep market knowledge. The focus on private label means adaptability to retailer needs is a core operational competency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role (Director level) within the product development and design function. It requires significant experience in both creative execution and operational management of the product lifecycle. The role is responsible for strategic direction and team leadership, impacting the commercial success of a key product division.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will likely report to a VP of Design, Chief Merchandising Officer, or a similar senior executive. They will, in turn, manage a team of designers and potentially technical designers. Close collaboration with Sales, Merchandising, and Production leadership is critical.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's primary impact is on the revenue and profitability of the Girls' division by developing desirable, on-trend, and commercially viable products that sell through successfully at retail. Their decisions directly influence product assortment, cost, quality, and ultimately, the company's standing with its mass-market retail partners. Effective management of the design and development process minimizes costly errors and ensures timely delivery, crucial for wholesale relationships.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher executive roles such as VP of Design, Head of Product Development, or General Manager of a division.

• Broader Portfolio Management: Opportunity to oversee larger or multiple product categories within the company.

• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in setting overall brand and product strategy for the company.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in children's wear or expand into other apparel categories.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead initiatives to optimize design, development, and production processes for greater efficiency and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Director" title signifies a strategic position, not purely executional. Growth opportunities would involve increasing scope of responsibility and strategic input, aligning with typical career paths in apparel product development leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, requiring 4 days per week in the New York City office. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed for team interaction, design reviews, and cross-functional meetings. The office likely houses design studios, sample rooms, and meeting spaces.

Office Location(s): 500 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018. This is a prime Midtown Manhattan location, known for its accessibility and proximity to major retail and corporate hubs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Design Studio: The workspace will likely feature areas for team collaboration, concept ideation, and design reviews, fostering a creative atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite), sample materials, and potentially digital PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with design teams, technical designers, merchandisers, sales representatives, and production coordinators.

• Retailer Engagement: Potential for interactions with client representatives during design presentations or buy meetings.

Work Schedule:

• A hybrid model with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.

• Standard business hours (approx. 9 AM - 5 PM EST) are expected, but flexibility may be required to meet production deadlines, especially during peak seasons or when dealing with international time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific address in Midtown Manhattan indicates a professional, corporate setting. The hybrid nature highlights a modern work approach, balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on experience and skills alignment.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Design Director's direct manager (e.g., VP of Design) to assess leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and team fit.

3. Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their design portfolio, showcasing past work, design process, and ability to meet business objectives. This will likely involve presenting to a panel including design, merchandising, and potentially senior leadership.

4. Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Sales, Merchandising, and Production to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of the wholesale process.

5. Final Interview: Potential meeting with senior executives (e.g., CEO) for final approval, focusing on strategic vision and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your experience with girls' infant/toddler sportswear, dresses, and layette. Highlight your most successful and commercially impactful designs.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Product: Detail your design process from concept to execution. Include mood boards, trend research, color palettes, fabric selections, tech packs, and sample feedback. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate success. For example, "Designs contributed to a 15% increase in sales for the category" or "Reduced sample revision time by 20% through clear tech pack instructions."

• Tailor to the Company: Research G&W Kids LLC (Golden Touch) and their target retailers. Show how your design aesthetic and approach align with their brand DNA and market position.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough to ensure a smooth, confident, and concise presentation within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your creative decisions and problem-solving approaches.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design challenge or case study that may involve creating a mini-collection based on a given brief, analyzing a competitive set, or proposing a product strategy for a specific market segment.

• Prepare to discuss how you would manage daily communication with overseas teams, handle urgent requests from sales, or resolve design conflicts with production.

• Anticipate questions about your leadership style, how you motivate teams, and your approach to fostering design excellence and commercial success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is the most crucial part of the interview process for a design role. It needs to be comprehensive, well-structured, and demonstrate not only creative talent but also a strong understanding of the business and operational aspects of apparel production.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Development Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (for flats, tech packs) and Photoshop (for mood boards, print design, presentation graphics).

• PLM Systems: Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software used for managing product data, specifications, and workflows is highly beneficial (e.g., Centric PLM, VMS, Browzwear, etc., though specific systems are not listed).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Excel for line planning, costing analysis, and data tracking; Word for documentation; PowerPoint for presentations.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Email & Communication Platforms: Daily use of email (Outlook, Gmail) and internal messaging tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for communication with domestic and international teams.

• Video Conferencing: Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet for virtual meetings and sample reviews with overseas offices.

Analytics & Reporting (Indirect):

CRM & Automation (Indirect):

• The role interfaces with Sales and Merchandising, who likely use CRM systems. Understanding how product information flows from design to sales enablement is important. Automation would primarily refer to streamlining design and development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are design-specific. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is explicitly mentioned. The emphasis on communicating with overseas offices implies the need for strong digital communication and potentially familiarity with systems that facilitate global collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centric Design: A commitment to understanding and meeting the evolving needs of the end customer (children and their parents) and the requirements of retail partners.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on strong partnerships across departments (Sales, Merchandising, Production) to ensure cohesive product development and execution.

• Quality & Excellence: A dedication to high standards in design, product execution, and manufacturing, ensuring brand integrity and customer satisfaction.

• Efficiency & Timeliness: Adherence to production calendars and deadlines is critical in the wholesale apparel industry, demanding a focus on efficient workflows and punctual delivery.

• Innovation & Trend Awareness: Staying ahead of market trends and incorporating new ideas to keep product lines fresh and competitive.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expected to work hand-in-hand with Merchandising to align product with business plans and Sales to understand customer demands and market feedback.

• Direct Communication: Frequent and clear communication with overseas teams is essential for accurate sample development and production.

• Feedback Loop: A culture that encourages constructive feedback between design, technical, production, and sales to refine product and processes.

• Shared Goals: A collective focus on delivering successful product lines that drive revenue and strengthen retailer relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and family-owned nature might foster a culture of loyalty and deep-rooted expertise. The wholesale model inherently requires strong cross-functional collaboration and responsiveness to client needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Commerciality: The perennial challenge of creating trend-forward, aesthetically pleasing designs that also meet strict price points and sell-through targets for mass-market retailers.

• Managing Global Supply Chains: Navigating the complexities of international production, including communication barriers, quality control across distances, and lead time management.

• Rapid Trend Cycles: Keeping pace with fast-moving fashion trends, especially in children's wear, while ensuring timely execution within compressed seasonal development cycles.

• Meeting Diverse Retailer Needs: Adapting design vision and product offerings to meet the unique specifications and branding requirements of various mass-market retail partners.

• Team Development & Motivation: Leading and inspiring a design team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, ensuring high performance and creative output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop broader strategic thinking and leadership skills beyond design execution.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend trade shows, market trend seminars, and gain insights into global apparel markets.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced senior leadership within the family-owned company.

• Process Optimization: Leading initiatives to improve design-to-production workflows, potentially involving new technologies or methodologies.

• Broader Category Exposure: Opportunities to learn about and potentially contribute to other apparel divisions within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior roles in fast-fashion wholesale, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and strong operational management skills alongside creative talent.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a new seasonal collection for girls' infant/toddler sportswear, considering current market trends and our company's wholesale model?" (Focus on process, trend integration, and commercial viability)

• "Describe your experience managing daily communication with overseas design and production teams. What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy and timely execution?" (Highlight communication, problem-solving, and project management skills)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Golden Touch/G&W Kids LLC and our position in the wholesale apparel market?" (Show you've researched the company's history, mission, and market niche)

• "How would you contribute to our company culture, given our long history as a family-owned business?" (Discuss values like collaboration, quality, and a team-oriented approach)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy and approach. Then, walk through 2-3 key projects, detailing the brief, your process, challenges, solutions, and the commercial outcome.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples of your tech pack creation, construction knowledge, trend forecasting, and sample approval process within your project examples.

• Demonstrate Commercial Acumen: For each project, explain how your designs met business objectives, retailer needs, and market demands. Use data if available.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design choices, fabric selections, construction details, and your problem-solving methods.

• Showcase Leadership: Frame your experience as leading teams and initiatives, not just individual contributions. Discuss how you mentor and guide junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for a Director-level role requires demonstrating not only creative skill but also strategic thinking, leadership capability, and a deep understanding of the business operations specific to wholesale apparel manufacturing.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant experience in girls' infant/toddler apparel design and product development, emphasizing sportswear, dresses, and layette. Ensure it clearly showcases your process from concept to production-ready samples.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature your 7+ years of experience, specific skills in Adobe Illustrator, tech pack creation, fabric knowledge, and leadership in design/product development. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear articulation of your design process, commercial impact, and leadership capabilities. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to design strategy, team management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research G&W Kids LLC (Golden Touch), understanding their history, market position, and the types of retailers they serve. Familiarize yourself with current children's wear trends and the competitive landscape.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.