Director of Buying and Planning, Kids Los Angeles HQ - Merchandising

SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials. We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody.

At the intersection of culture, innovation, and commerce, SKIMS is a global brand redefining modern apparel. Our teams are built on creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment where ambitious, curious, and values-driven individuals can do the best work of their careers.

As we continue to scale globally, our HQ teams play a critical role in shaping strategy, building world-class infrastructure, and driving sustainable growth across markets.

Position Summary

The Director of Buying & Planning, SKIMS Kids will lead the commercial strategy for one of the brand's fastest-growing categories, owning the end-to-end buying and planning function across DTC, Retail, and Wholesale channels. This highly strategic and analytical leader will drive assortment planning, inventory optimization, financial performance, and seasonal product strategies while ensuring SKIMS Kids continues to deliver exceptional product experiences for families around the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global buying and planning strategy for SKIMS Kids across all channels.
• Build seasonal financial and inventory strategies that maximize revenue, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Identify growth opportunities across product categories, age groups, pricing architecture, and international markets.
• Translate customer insights, historical performance, and market trends into actionable commercial strategies.
• Partner with senior leadership to establish long-range growth plans and category roadmaps.

• Lead seasonal assortment architecture across core, fashion, and innovation categories.
• Build balanced assortments that reflect customer demand while supporting brand strategy.
• Partner with Design and Merchandising to influence product creation based on commercial opportunities and consumer insights.
• Ensure assortments meet financial objectives while maintaining brand integrity and customer relevance.
• Optimize size scales, color depth, and style breadth across multiple channels.

• Own annual, quarterly, and seasonal financial plans including sales, margin, inventory, receipt, and OTB targets.
• Drive forecasting accuracy and proactively identify inventory risks and opportunities.
• Monitor business performance and recommend inventory actions including buys, transfers, markdowns, and replenishment strategies.
• Partner with Supply Chain to ensure inventory supports global launches and promotional activity.
• Lead inventory optimization across Retail, Ecommerce, and Wholesale channels.

• Partner closely with Product Development and Production to align product timelines with commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with Ecommerce, Retail, and Wholesale teams to support channel-specific assortment strategies.
• Work alongside Finance to deliver accurate forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Support Marketing and Brand teams with key product launches and seasonal storytelling.
• Present business updates, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to executive leadership.

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Buying & Planning team.
• Foster a collaborative, data-driven, and commercially focused culture.
• Establish clear KPIs and accountability across the function.
• Drive operational excellence through process improvements, systems enhancements, and scalable planning practices.
• Champion innovation while maintaining strong execution across a rapidly growing business.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Buying, Merchandising, Planning, or Commercial Strategy within apparel or consumer products.
• Significant experience leading children's apparel, basics, intimates, lifestyle, or adjacent product categories is strongly preferred.
• Proven success managing high-volume businesses across DTC, Retail, Ecommerce, and Wholesale channels.
• Deep understanding of assortment planning, inventory management, forecasting, financial planning, and merchandise analytics.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams within a high-growth or omnichannel retail environment.
• Strong financial acumen with expertise in margin optimization, inventory productivity, and OTB management.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with merchandising and planning systems such as Anaplan, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar platforms.
• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.

• Highly commercial with exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Customer-obsessed and passionate about building products families love.
• Comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced, evolving environment with incomplete information.
• Naturally collaborative, influencing cross-functional partners through data and strong commercial insight.
• Entrepreneurial, curious, and continuously looking for opportunities to improve the business.
• Hands-on leader who enjoys building scalable processes while remaining close to the details.
• Confident balancing creativity with commercial performance.
• Passionate about developing talent and building high-performing teams.
• Embodies the SKIMS Standard through innovation, ownership, curiosity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Benefits, Culture and Perks

• Up to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
• Kind Body Fertility Benefits
• 401(k) savings plan with up to 4% match
• Unlimited PTO
• Full Access to LinkedIn learning
• Employee Discounts

• Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/Th
• Dog-Friendly office on a Thursday and Friday
• Free Swag Giveaways
• Annual Holiday Party
• Annual Summer Party
• Invitations to pop-ups and other company events
• Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages

Compensation: $145,000 - $165,000 / year