Overview
Director, Technical Design – New York, 10019, United States of America
How we LEAD:
The Director, Technical Design will be an essential part of the UMG team, helping to drive execution of merchandise needs for Artist specific E-commerce Campaigns. This position will report directly to the VP of Product Development,
This is a fast paced, high-volume position that requires experience for many different product categories, including Apparel, Hardline and Softline Accessories.
The Technical Designer bridges the gap between the Creative Director and the PD team to ensure the garments meet quality, fit, construction standards. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in garment construction, fabric, tech pack creation as well as an understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle
How You’ll CREATE:
- Create original sketches and technical drawings for new apparel designs and collections
- Material Selection, work alongside the Product Development lead to choose and source fabrics, colors, trims and embellishments that align with the artists brand keeping in mind pricing and quality standards.
- Produce detailed technical packages and specifications for each design, ensuring designs meet production requirements
- Ability to create tech packs that are not only inclusive of technical sketches but also measurement specifications, fabric details, bill of materials, colorways, and construction details
- Ability to translate design ideas to detailed blueprints for manufacturers to produce a myriad of product offerings from apparel to accessories
- Participate in fit sessions, providing feedback on garment construction and making necessary adjustments to ensure the fit intention is met based on reference samples and creative direction.
- Work closely with cross functional teams, including Brand management, Product Development, Creative Director to ensure seamless product executions
- Stay informed on new materials, emerging trends and manufacturing processes.
- Work with lead Creative Director to ensure concepts and initial design drafts are executable in manufacturing.
- Work with the Creative Director and PD lead to cost engineer a product to different price points by offering up solutions to materials and make to hit price points.
- Manage and update all Creative tech packs from Initial creation to edits to ensure manufacturers have all comments and revisions captured in the tech pack
- Manage Final Production Tech packs to ensure all creative records are accurate after final sample approval
- Liaise with the Creative Director, Graphic Designers and Technical Designers and help to combine all information together before handing off to Product Development
- Participate in weekly development touch bases w/ cross-functional team members
- Develop and manage process workflow improvements
Bring your VIBE:
- 5-7 years of experience of creative/design experience
- Diverse market segment background (men’s, juniors, and children’s wear, accessories)
- Bachelor’s Degree – Fashion Design, Textile Design or related field is typically preferred
- Deep Understanding of garment construction and fabric properties is critical
- Detail oriented with strong follow through skills
- Strong Skills in design software’s such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and CAD programs are essential. PLM systems also a positive
- Ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced environment
- Strong organization skills are needed to manage complex tech packs and production timelines
- Excellent communicator with the ability to build and maintain relationships
- Flexible and adaptable; priorities change frequently based on business demands, the ability to change direction quickly is critical
- Previous experience in apparel design and tech pack creation is highly values
- Extensive factory manufacturing process experience including production timeline management, fact-based costing, and pricing.
- Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills
- Proven ability to manage and develop teams
- Works well under pressure.
