Director of R&D (Research & Development)

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $130,000 - $160,000 annually

ABOUT LOVESHACKFANCY

LoveShackFancy, founded in 2013 by Rebecca Hessel Cohen, is a global fashion, beauty, childrenswear, accessories, home, and lifestyle brand celebrated for its romantic, vintage-inspired aesthetic and cult-like community. Known for its immersive, whimsical interiors, the brand has grown to 25 boutiques across the U.S. and London. Signature ruffles, pink, and bows anchor the collections, while storytelling and pioneering community-driven experiences have shaped LoveShackFancy into more than a fashion labelits a shared lifestyle movement. Coveted collaborations include Victorias Secret PINK, Gap, Target, Stanley, Pottery Barn, Bogner, and more. In 2023, LoveShackFancy launched Beauty exclusively at Sephora, inviting millions into its rose-colored world of whimsy and celebration.

Role Overview:

The Director of R&D (Research & Development) is responsible for driving innovation, fabric and material exploration, and product development strategy across the brand. This role partners closely with Design, Production, and Merchandising, to ensure new concepts, materials, and construction techniques are commercially viable, on brand, and scalable.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise, a strong aesthetic point of view, and a passion for innovation within fashion and lifestyle products.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation & Product Development

• Lead R&D strategy across categories, identifying new materials, fabrics, trims, techniques, and construction methods that elevate the brand
• Research and develop new product concepts from ideation through production readiness
• Partner with Design to translate creative vision into technically sound, manufacturable products
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and material innovations

Fabric, Materials & Testing

• Oversee fabric and material research, testing, and approval processes
• Collaborate with mills, vendors, and suppliers to develop exclusive or custom materials
• Ensure all materials meet quality, performance, and compliance standards
• Support sustainability initiatives through responsible material sourcing and innovation

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a key liaison between Design, Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Quality teams
• Align R&D timelines with seasonal calendars and production milestones
• Support cost engineering and margin goals while maintaining design integrity
• Troubleshoot technical challenges and propose solutions throughout development

Process & Systems

• Establish and refine R&D workflows, documentation, and development standards
• Build seasonal boards for merch review and other cross functional presentation
• Build scalable processes that support growth while maintaining quality and creativity
• Manage development libraries (fabrics, trims, techniques, testing results)

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in product development, R&D, or technical design within fashion or lifestyle brands
• Prior leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives
• Deep knowledge of fabrics, materials, garment construction, and manufacturing processes
• Strong understanding of cost, margins, and production scalability
• Proven ability to balance creative vision with technical execution
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working with global vendors and suppliers
• Proficiency with PLM systems and development tools