Job details

Technical Designer

Title: Technical Designer

Reports to: Senior Technical Designer or Technical Design Manager

Position Summary: Weissman / Dancewear Solutions is a national Recital Costume/Dancewear catalog/web retailer and manufacturer that is experiencing rapid growth. The Technical Designer’s primary responsibility is to develop and manage a multitude of styles from design concept to top of production while mentoring Assistant and Associate Technical Designers. They will use tech packs to specify measurements, construction details, size, grading and proto reviews to ensure our standards are met consistently across styles, vendors and areas of business. The Technical Designer will work intimately with design, merchandising, product management, sourcing and the vendor to ensure the accuracy of each style is being executed. The Technical Designer will also be responsible for ensuring their styles are tracking towards timely fit approvals. Technical Designer may be used as a resource in departmental and companywide special projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities: Evaluate samples for fit, measurements and construction ensuring all garments meet Weissman standards and products are developed consistent with manufacturer capabilities and cost specifications.

Follow policies, principles, and standards for Technical Design within Weissman, including company fit, grading, measuring, construction, quality and tolerance standards.

Initiate and maintain daily communication with vendors and the factory floor ensuring prototype integrity and quality while responding to any technical/construction questions and communicating required changes.

Create technical packages in IMS and Illustrator based on design concepts using technical sketches, construction detail call-outs, point of measurement specifications and Weissman grade rules and tolerances.

Determine when inspiration garments or patterns must be sent to vendors to assist with development.

Manage individual fit sessions and communicate changes to vendors.

File/organize all technical packages and samples so that they are easily accessible to team members.

Maintain internal tracking tasks to allow for easily accessible and reportable information.

Partner with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, Product Management and QA to support initiatives, special projects and continues product improvements.

Identify and proactively engage manager Technical Design Manager when issues arises.

Foster open communication and a team environment with all business partners; including receiving and giving constructive feedback in a professional manner.

Expected

Outcomes:

Financial: Develop product that consistently meets margin goals; cost engineering styles as needed to hit seasonal target margin.

Timelines: Tracks personal work flow through the development process ensuring styles hit all development deadlines.

Accuracy: Develop product in accordance with Weissman Fit and Quality standards ensuring accurate approvals and keeping customer returns to a minimum.

Qualifications:

BS/BA Fashion Design & Product Development or relevant field.

5+ years' experience in technical design, with a thorough understanding of the apparel development and production process.

Experience working with knit garments; dance and/or swimwear experience a plus.

Knowledge of production pattern making, grading, spec revisions, pattern corrections, garment construction, sewing, technical sketching, measuring and fitting. Other relevant knowledge in garment testing and basics of product costing.

Understanding of development and production processes including stitch/seam types, cutting, marker making and manufacturing principals.

Strong organizational skills, highly self-motivated and able to quickly adapt to unique situations.

Excellent written, problem-solving, decision making, and time management skills, with a proven track record of juggling priorities and successfully meeting multiple deadlines.

Ability to work with both domestic and offshore vendors on specs and the approval process, clearly communicating technical information to both vendors and internal partners.

Preferred experience with PDM/PLM or other software base specification system.

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Apps and Adobe Illustrator.

Ability to stand 2-3 hrs/day and up to 5-6 hrs/day during peak approval season.

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Style Count Yearly Development: 120-160 Styles

Responsibility: Yearly Adoptions: 60-80 Styles

Future Senior Technical Designer (additional opportunities within other departments).

Opportunities:

Key Work Internal: Design, Pattern, Sourcing, Costing, Sample Room, QA

Relationships: External: Garment Vendors, Weissman China Office

NO CALLS PLEASE. NOT A REMOTE POSITION. MUST BE ABLE TO RELOCATE TO ST. LOUIS.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

Weissman’s Theatrical Supplies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: