Director, Fabric Development – Innovation

Little Sleepies

Director of Fabric Development overseeing fabric innovation and product strategy for children's apparel at Little Sleepies. Collaborating cross-functionally to develop next-generation materials and trends.

Posted 5/26/2026full-timeLos Angeles • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Partner closely with the Director of Product Development to build an 18-month materials innovation pipeline
Drive technical innovation by working directly with the vendor and mill base to identify next-generation fabric treatments, alternative fabric platforms, and construction innovations
Evaluate new materials against Little Sleepies' core brand promises — softness, durability, trust — and commercial feasibility
Own the process of moving promising materials from exploration to prototype to commercial integration
Be the internal authority on what is happening externally—fabric trend direction, competitive landscape, white space opportunities, emerging materials, best-in-class fabric development and innovation in the broader apparel market, and shifts in consumer behavior
Conduct regular apparel market and competitive analysis, trade show attendance, and market research to keep Little Sleepies ahead of the category
Translate external intelligence into internal product briefs, strategic recommendations, and innovation opportunities
Serve as the strategic bridge owning fabrication strategy between design (VP, Design) and product development (Director, PD) — ensuring innovation priorities are understood, embraced, and embedded in both teams' work
Partner with VP, Merchandising and VP, Design to ensure the fabric innovation roadmap is grounded in commercial reality and assortment strategy

Requirements

What you’ll need

10–12 years of progressive fabrication strategy, product development, or innovation experience within kids apparel or a closely adjacent consumer product apparel category
Background in fabric engineering, textile science, or materials development strongly preferred; hands-on experience with fabric construction, finishing, or performance testing a significant plus
Deep fabric and construction literacy — comfortable in vendor and mill conversations, able to evaluate materials technically and commercially
Proven experience owning a product strategy or innovation function, not just executing product, but defining what gets built and why
Strong external antenna. You shop the market obsessively, attend trade shows, and translate trend into product opportunity instinctively
Track record of driving category expansion within a high-growth brand
Exceptional ability to influence without authority — you build trust and alignment across creative and operational teams through the quality of your thinking
Comfortable as a senior individual contributor — energized by doing, not managing
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-output product environment; or DTC brand experience a strong plus
Ideally Bachelor's Degree in Textile Development, Textile Management.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off
vacation
Sick days
Paid holidays
Short and long-term disability
Life insurance
401(k)
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Home office stipend
Internet stipend
Company discount
Team building activities
Company-issued computer

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

fabric engineeringtextile sciencematerials developmentfabric constructionfinishingperformance testingproduct strategyinnovation functionmarket researchcompetitive analysis

Soft Skills

influence without authoritytrust buildingalignment across teamsstrategic thinkingexternal intelligence translationcategory expansionfast-paced environment adaptabilitysenior individual contributor mindsetcreative collaborationcommercial feasibility assessment

Certifications

Bachelor's Degree in Textile DevelopmentBachelor's Degree in Textile Management