Head of Merchandising and Design, Retail

Job Description

<p><strong>Our client is no ordinary apparel brand.</strong></p><p>Mondetta is a Certified B-Corp and Net Zero Contributor, fusing technical innovation with modern style to deliver performance-driven fashion that is both responsible and refined. From tailored suiting to heritage-inspired pieces and progressive activewear, every design is guided by purpose and sustainability.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>This newly created Head of Merchandise and Design role is no ordinary mandate.</strong></p><p>You will lead and scale a newly established <strong>Merchandise & Design</strong> team, driving innovation across company-owned retail and department stores as the company expands into national and international markets. You will shape their brand vision through strategic merchandising and floor planning, ensuring each collection delivers a best-in-class experience for customers and end-users.</p><p>Blending creative design with technical product expertise, you will develop data-informed capsule collections that reflect their brand ethos and respond to evolving consumer preferences. Your decisions will be grounded in comprehensive analysis of market trends, competitor activity, and historical sales performance—ensuring each collection is both relevant and commercially successful.</p><p>This is a hands-on leadership role where <strong>creativity meets strategy</strong>. You will translate insights into compelling assortments, champion sustainable innovation, and build a high-performing, collaborative team. You’ll be empowered to push boundaries, introduce new materials and technologies, and work cross-functionally to create collections that not only look exceptional but also perform brilliantly at retail.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>The Ideal Candidate Embodies:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Visionary leadership</strong> to build and scale a high-performing design team aligned with the company’s growth.</li><li><strong>Creative and strategic excellence</strong> to lead the full design lifecycle - from concept to final approval - ensuring collections are timely, on-budget, and market-relevant.</li><li><strong>A passion for innovation</strong>, constantly identifying new product categories, hero items, and fabric and color stories that drive differentiation.</li><li><strong>Cross-functional fluency</strong>, collaborating seamlessly with Customers, Sales, Wholesale, Marketing, Planning, and the C-suite to align design direction with business strategy and retail execution.</li><li><strong>Executive presence</strong>, with the confidence to defend creative decisions, constructively integrate feedback, and influence at all levels of the organization.</li><li><strong>Brand stewardship</strong>, ensuring every design reflects the company’s aesthetic and values across all brands.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Requirements:</strong></p><ul><li>Minimum of 5 years of senior-level experience in the apparel industry, with a strong foundation in both merchandise planning and product design.</li><li>Experience with apparel brands that align in aesthetic, brand positioning, and growth trajectory.</li><li>Strong data-driven mindset, with the ability to synthesize market trends, consumer insights, and historical sales performance into actionable design strategies.</li><li>Demonstrated team leadership, with the ability to inspire, manage, and scale high-performing teams.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Inspired by this opportunity? Let’s connect</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sheriza Perabtani</strong></p><p>Vice President, Richter Executive Search</p><p>sperabtani@richter.ca</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Kennedie Janes</strong></p><p>Research Associate, Richter Executive Search</p><p>kjanes@richter.ca</p><p></p>