Associate Technical Designer

Job Title: Associate Technical Designer                                                                     

Department: Pre-Production                                                                                                                                         

Responsibilities:                                                                                        

Facilitate the transition of styles from design team prototype approvals to production-ready samples.

Regular line and Specials:                                                                    

• Collaborate with the design team to determine fit and aesthetic details.            
• Collaborate with design and production team seasonal line and construction review.
• Make note of fabric and trim callouts to ensure designs will meet the required specifications.
• Work with production to ensure construction can achieve target pricing.           
• Coordinate workflow to meet timing and action deadlines.                          
• Communicate with vendor/sales representative throughout regular and special style development to ensure designs and specs are understood, questions are answered and samples are produced correctly.                                                     
• Review, prepare, and send sample requests and communicate comments to vendors from the initial sew-by package sent out to 1st fit, PP, and TOP samples.
• Create and maintain regular line and special development request forms to track approvals, due dates, and releases.           
• Implement and maintain high standards for sample construction approval and sew-by.
• Translate design info into production-ready tech packs.                 
• Ensure samples are released in a manner consistent with established fit and quality standards.

• Collaborate with the design and production team to ensure received PP samples from vendors match approved bulk fabric and trims for production.

Production fit sessions:                                                                         

• Measure and prepare samples for fit sessions making sure construction notes are followed and implemented.
• Facilitate fit sessions with the design team on live models.                          
• Provide callouts and comments during fittings to verify that all issues are identified.
• Execute fit comments in a timely manner communicate fit construction and problem-solve current and/or potential fit and fabric issues.                       
• Communicate appropriate fit and construction adjustments as required to ensure integrity of design-approved prototypes while monitoring quality and targeted price with the design and production team.                                                         
• Manage fit and special development samples workflow and workload to ensure enough samples are ready for weekly scheduled fitting sessions and according to priority.
• Maintain efficient sample tracking system from receiving, and processing to TOP library keeping.

Special styles:                                                                              

• Manage the sample process and collaborate with the production team to ensure agreed-upon deadlines are met.   
• Spec and send samples as requested and keep track of approvals and comments.
• Create production-ready tech packs making sure all special notes and instructions are followed and implemented.                           

Create and release Technical Package (tech pack) for production:                          

• Tech packs include Pattern Card, Spec Sheet, Sample Fit History, and Fit comments with images.
• Translate all details from design to an understandable, accurate, and comprehensive tech pack for bulk production.            
• Complete design technical specification package including flat sketch, measurements, graded specs, construction details, appropriate tolerances, and standards.    
• Ensure sew-by samples are correct, clear, organized, and production-ready.   

Perform other duties as required.                                                                    

Maintain and update pre-production internal data for systematic tracking and time-saving records.

knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:                                         

• Must have Technical Design degree or equivalent: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Fashion a plus                          
• Must have at least 2 to 3 years of experience as a Technical Designer    
• Basic knowledge of patternmaking is required.                                      
• Must have technical experience with multiple product classifications.
• Must have a keen eye to identify fit issues.                                               
• Must have a strong understanding of garment construction and fabric types.  
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Illustrator, and Photoshop        
• Must possess very good written and verbal communication skills.          
• Must be willing to work in a fast-paced fashion environment.                      
• Must be able to work independently with very little management.           
• Must possess very good organizational skills.                                        
• Must be very good at time management with a great sense of urgency. 

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dentist
• Vision
• 401k Matching
• Life Insurance
• Long term disability

Salary range is $ 55,000.00 to $ 65,000.00