Sales Director - Apparel

Our client, an apparel company, is looking for a Sales Director – Children's Apparel to join their team in NYC!

• Develop and execute the overall sales strategy for children's apparel, driving revenue growth, profitability, and market share across key retail channels.
• Lead and manage national sales efforts for off-price, department store, mass market, and specialty accounts.
• Build, maintain, and expand executive-level relationships with key buyers and merchants at major retailers, identifying opportunities for business growth and category expansion.
• Drive sales and distribution of licensed children's apparel programs, collaborating with licensing partners and internal teams to maximize brand performance.
• Partner with design, merchandising, sourcing, production, and operations teams to align product assortments with customer needs and market trends.
• Negotiate major sales agreements, pricing strategies, promotional programs, and annual business plans to achieve revenue and margin objectives.
• Analyze sales performance, market trends, competitive activity, and consumer insights to identify growth opportunities and mitigate business risks.
• Lead seasonal line reviews, customer presentations, and strategic planning meetings with retail partners and licensing stakeholders.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing sales team, establishing goals, performance metrics, and succession planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to manage forecasting, inventory planning, and open-to-buy strategies that support customer demand and company profitability.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities across licensed and non-licensed children's apparel categories.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive sales leadership experience within children's apparel, including significant experience at the Director or Vice President level.
• Proven success managing and growing business with off-price retailers, department stores, mass merchants, and specialty accounts.
• Extensive experience selling licensed children's apparel programs featuring major entertainment, character, and consumer brands.
• Strong understanding of the licensing process, royalty structures, approvals, and brand management requirements.
• Established relationships with key buyers and merchants across off-price, mass market, and department store channels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic sales plans that drive revenue growth and profitability.
• Exceptional leadership, team-building, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in forecasting, budgeting, margin management, and sales analysis.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in sales reporting, retail analytics, inventory management, and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel