VP of Design/Merchandising - Handbags

Our client, a handbag company, is looking for a VP of Design/Merchandising to join their team in NYC!

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and merchandising strategy for handbags across all brands and private label, owning line architecture, assortment planning, and seasonal direction.
• Build and manage high-performing design and product development teams, driving collaboration, accountability, and alignment with overall business growth objectives.
• Define and execute brand-right creative vision for new and existing projects, partnering closely with executive leadership to translate strategy into actionable, scalable plans.
• Oversee vendor partnerships globally, ensuring adherence to quality standards, cost targets, timelines, and production excellence.
• Drive data-informed merchandising decisions by analyzing sales performance, market trends, and customer insights to optimize product mix and maximize profitability.
• Partner cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure cohesive go-to-market strategies and successful product launches.

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in handbag design and merchandising, with proven leadership at a VP or senior leadership level.
• Brand experience required, with a strong understanding of contemporary to premium market positioning and consumer expectations.
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling product lines across multiple brands and/or private label businesses.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience overseeing design and product development functions at scale.
• Deep knowledge of materials, construction, and global sourcing, with established vendor relationships and quality control expertise.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance creative vision and commercial performance, backed by strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills