Gateway Licensing
VP Merchandising, Design and Product Development
Gateway Licensing, New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
We are looking for a Vice President to oversee our Product Development, Merchandising and Design Teams (approx. 18 employees total).
You will bring your extensive product experience and “Big Picture” thinking capability to help manage and grow the team!
This is a hybrid position, with a minimum of two (2) days per week in office; must be available to work additional days in office as needed to attend company & customer meetings.
This position has two direct reports: Senior Director, Merchandising, and Senior Director, Design.
Responsibilities
Lead the product development and design vision — driving innovation, creativity, and brand relevance across all homewares categories from concept through commercialization.
Lead the packaging team by ensuring compliance with specific licensing company guidelines, legal line requirements, and packaging quality assurance standards for both packaging designs and finished items.
Oversee end-to-end product strategy, partnering with design, sourcing, sales, and licensing teams to deliver cohesive, trend-right assortments that meet margin, quality, and timeline goals.
Work with Design Director to support & develop design team and can expertly create & execute product designs that meet customer needs.
Build internal team to prioritize key customers and programs.
Inspire, mentor, and empower cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and excellence while ensuring products reflect both creative direction and market performance objectives.
Establish internal procedures within PD and Design, as well as between PD/Merch and Design; Define key priority projects per season/quarter/year, and ensure last-minute opportunities can integrate into current projects’ timeline.
Work with Sales to grow their line and source new items.
Ensure product strategy aligns with customer needs, market opportunities, and retailer feedback, ensuring collections are both trend-right and commercially successful.
Collaborate with Sales and Licensing teams to deliver accurate, high-quality product presentations and samples that meet brand standards, licensor expectations, and customer requirements.
In partnership with VP Production, manage current relationships with factories and source new ones, and ensure Quality Assurance and Quality Control throughout the production process.
Manage budget for market samples, sampling, and department travel.
Advise development of and manage implementation of PLM.
Who You Are
A visionary and business-savvy leader with proven success driving product design and development in home décor, housewares, or consumer goods.
Equally creative and analytical — you combine design inspiration with strategic thinking to deliver innovative, market-ready products, ensuring each product meets quality, cost, and margin goals;
Skilled in trend forecasting, product strategy, and line development, with a keen understanding of market positioning, consumer preferences, and retail dynamics.
Experienced in leading and mentoring creative teams, fostering collaboration between design, product development, sourcing, and sales.
Expert at managing vendor and factory relationships, ensuring design intent, quality, cost efficiency, and timelines are all achieved.
Collaborative and persuasive, able to confidently present design concepts and business strategies to executive leadership, buyers, and licensors.
Strong understanding of pricing architecture, margin management, and category strategy, balancing artistry with commercial success.
Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, with the agility to adapt to changing trends and business priorities.
Passionate about creating beautiful, functional, and brand-right products that resonate with consumers and strengthen the company’s market position.
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Design, Merchandising, or related field
10+ years’ experience in licensed product development, design, and merchandising within home décor, housewares, or consumer goods is a must.
Effective leader and collaborator, with the ability to inspire creativity and accountability across teams.
Solid understanding of the critical timelines involved in product development.
Strong Product and Retail knowledge
Experience collaborating with licensing partners to ensure brand and design integrity.
Proven success leading end-to-end product development from concept and design through sourcing, production, and launch.
Strong in trend analysis, color direction, and materials selection, translating market trends into viable, on-brand collections.
Experience working with overseas manufacturing and vendor management, including negotiation & sampling
Experienced in attending trade shows both domestically and internationally to support brand visibility, gather market insights, and maintain strong relationships with all partners and industry stakeholders.
Skilled in product assortment planning that aligns with brand strategy, pricing, and margin goals.
Solid understanding of retail channels, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.
Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, PLM systems, and Excel; NetSuite experience a definite plus.
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You will bring your extensive product experience and “Big Picture” thinking capability to help manage and grow the team!
This is a hybrid position, with a minimum of two (2) days per week in office; must be available to work additional days in office as needed to attend company & customer meetings.
This position has two direct reports: Senior Director, Merchandising, and Senior Director, Design.
Responsibilities
Lead the product development and design vision — driving innovation, creativity, and brand relevance across all homewares categories from concept through commercialization.
Lead the packaging team by ensuring compliance with specific licensing company guidelines, legal line requirements, and packaging quality assurance standards for both packaging designs and finished items.
Oversee end-to-end product strategy, partnering with design, sourcing, sales, and licensing teams to deliver cohesive, trend-right assortments that meet margin, quality, and timeline goals.
Work with Design Director to support & develop design team and can expertly create & execute product designs that meet customer needs.
Build internal team to prioritize key customers and programs.
Inspire, mentor, and empower cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and excellence while ensuring products reflect both creative direction and market performance objectives.
Establish internal procedures within PD and Design, as well as between PD/Merch and Design; Define key priority projects per season/quarter/year, and ensure last-minute opportunities can integrate into current projects’ timeline.
Work with Sales to grow their line and source new items.
Ensure product strategy aligns with customer needs, market opportunities, and retailer feedback, ensuring collections are both trend-right and commercially successful.
Collaborate with Sales and Licensing teams to deliver accurate, high-quality product presentations and samples that meet brand standards, licensor expectations, and customer requirements.
In partnership with VP Production, manage current relationships with factories and source new ones, and ensure Quality Assurance and Quality Control throughout the production process.
Manage budget for market samples, sampling, and department travel.
Advise development of and manage implementation of PLM.
Who You Are
A visionary and business-savvy leader with proven success driving product design and development in home décor, housewares, or consumer goods.
Equally creative and analytical — you combine design inspiration with strategic thinking to deliver innovative, market-ready products, ensuring each product meets quality, cost, and margin goals;
Skilled in trend forecasting, product strategy, and line development, with a keen understanding of market positioning, consumer preferences, and retail dynamics.
Experienced in leading and mentoring creative teams, fostering collaboration between design, product development, sourcing, and sales.
Expert at managing vendor and factory relationships, ensuring design intent, quality, cost efficiency, and timelines are all achieved.
Collaborative and persuasive, able to confidently present design concepts and business strategies to executive leadership, buyers, and licensors.
Strong understanding of pricing architecture, margin management, and category strategy, balancing artistry with commercial success.
Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, with the agility to adapt to changing trends and business priorities.
Passionate about creating beautiful, functional, and brand-right products that resonate with consumers and strengthen the company’s market position.
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Design, Merchandising, or related field
10+ years’ experience in licensed product development, design, and merchandising within home décor, housewares, or consumer goods is a must.
Effective leader and collaborator, with the ability to inspire creativity and accountability across teams.
Solid understanding of the critical timelines involved in product development.
Strong Product and Retail knowledge
Experience collaborating with licensing partners to ensure brand and design integrity.
Proven success leading end-to-end product development from concept and design through sourcing, production, and launch.
Strong in trend analysis, color direction, and materials selection, translating market trends into viable, on-brand collections.
Experience working with overseas manufacturing and vendor management, including negotiation & sampling
Experienced in attending trade shows both domestically and internationally to support brand visibility, gather market insights, and maintain strong relationships with all partners and industry stakeholders.
Skilled in product assortment planning that aligns with brand strategy, pricing, and margin goals.
Solid understanding of retail channels, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.
Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, PLM systems, and Excel; NetSuite experience a definite plus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr