Technical Design Manager

As a Technical Design Manager at Madhappy, your key responsibilities include overseeing product measurement specifications, leading seasonal fittings, and mentoring the technical team. You'll collaborate with design and product development on tech pack hand-offs and create production packages to ensure garments meet our brand standards. Managing the fit approval process and maintaining accurate grading rules are also central to this role.

To qualify for the Technical Design Manager position at Madhappy, candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in a technical design function, particularly with live model fittings. Expertise in garment dye and shrinkages, along with team management experience, are essential. Familiarity with knits, wovens, and outerwear categories, as well as proficiency in Adobe software and Microsoft Suite, will give you a strong edge in this dynamic role.

The Technical Design Manager at Madhappy is crucial in the product development process, as they guide the technical department from initial design to production. By overseeing seasonal fittings and collaborating with design teams, they ensure that garments are not only styled beautifully but also fit perfectly. This role ensures knowledge transfer and consistency across product lines, aligning with both quality and sustainability standards.

Madhappy offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Technical Design Manager position, including 15 days of PTO and 9 days of sick pay, paid holidays, and health, dental, and vision insurance with substantial premium coverage. Additionally, employees have access to retirement plans, a quarterly health stipend, and an employee discount on products, ensuring a fulfilling work-life balance.

The ideal Technical Design Manager at Madhappy should possess strong organizational and multitasking skills with an eye for detail. They should demonstrate initiative, effective time management, and flexibility, as well as exemplary communication skills to collaborate across diverse cultures. This vibrant environment requires adaptability and enthusiasm for the fast-paced nature of a creative start-up.

In responding to this question, highlight your specific experience with garment dye processes and how you’ve managed potential shrinkage issues in previous roles. Discuss any techniques or solutions you've implemented to ensure the final product maintains its intended fit and quality.

When answering, outline your systematic approach to seasonal fittings. Discuss coordinating schedules, preparing fitting samples, and collaborating with your team to collect and analyze feedback for each garment. Highlight your commitment to ensuring that the final fit meets both aesthetic and functional standards.

Here, you should detail the specific tools or software you prefer for tracking fit approvals, whether it's Excel, specialized PLM software, or another system. Emphasize how you maintain organized records of fit comments and grading rules to ensure clarity and consistency across all teams involved.

Demonstrate your conflict resolution skills by describing your approach to consolidating different fit comments. Talk about how you facilitate discussions among team members, prioritize the most critical feedback, and work towards a consensus for improvements while fostering a collaborative environment.

Discuss your background in pattern making with specific examples of projects you’ve worked on. If you have draping experience, explain how you use it to create innovative solutions during the design phase, allowing for more intricate details in the final garment design.

In your response, highlight your strategies for maintaining consistency, such as creating standardized measurement guides or reference libraries. Share how you monitor adherence to grading rules and fit specifications across different styles and collections to ensure a unified brand experience.

When answering this question, share a specific instance where you took the time to mentor a team member. Elaborate on how you identified their needs and tailored your guidance to help them improve their skills or knowledge in technical design, leading to beneficial outcomes for both the individual and the team.

Describe a specific challenge related to fit issues, production delays, or team dynamics. Discuss how you navigated the problem, any strategies you implemented, and the positive outcomes that resulted from your efforts. This showcases your problem-solving skills and resilience in a demanding environment.

Explain your communication strategy, focusing on clarity and collaboration. Mention how you provide visual aids such as sketches, fit photos, and detailed comments to ensure the design team understands the necessary revisions. Emphasizing open communication can help facilitate a productive working relationship.

To answer this, discuss current trends in textile technology, sustainable practices, or innovation in garment construction methods that resonate with you. Share how you stay updated on industry trends and your excitement for incorporating these advancements into your role at Madhappy.