Coldwater Creek
Senior Apparel Technical Designer
Coldwater Creek, New York, New York, United States,
Position Overview:We are looking for a talented Senior Apparel Technical Designer to join our innovative team. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in pattern making and grading, a proven track record in fitting and managing both knit and woven products, including tops and bottoms. This role involves taking ownership of specific product departments while contributing to the overall success of the technical team each week by fulfilling support functions. The current ownership roles assigned to this position are women's pants, activewear, and swimwear and may evolve as the needs of the business change.
Key Responsibilities:Collaborate with the design, merchandising, sourcing, and factory teams from concept to production to develop, refine and finalize product requirements for a variety of high-quality apparel products.Identify and address potential production, quality, and costing issues while maintaining design and fit intent.Uphold brand standards for fit, quality, and consistency while contributing to research and development of new standards as needed.Create, evaluate, and finalize detailed technical specifications within Centric PLM for Misses, Women’s, and Petite size apparel, including graded measurements, construction details, trim specifications, and fold/pack methods to align with design vision and pricing targets.Conduct fit sessions and provide constructive feedback to ensure optimal fit and function.Communicate pattern corrections clearly to factory pattern makers to ensure sample accuracy.Respond promptly to vendors, factories, and internal partners.Track and manage assigned categories.Meet all Technical Design deadlines as outlined in the master calendar.Escalate concerns to the Director in a timely manner.Develop and maintain comprehensive technical design documentation and records.Stay informed on industry trends and innovations in fabrics, trims, and construction techniques.Actively participate in weekly Technical Design team meetings.Function as a role model within the department. Mentor and coach technical designers and associates as needed.Create seasonal style hand-off documents.Review categories with the Technical Design Director for continuous improvement and share findings and suggestions with Merchandising and Design teams as directed.Support the Director of Technical Design with various tasks when necessary, including:> Sloper and stylized fit block development> Grading, POM, and tolerance updates within Centric PLM> Centric PLM training> KPI tracking> QC inspections> PTO coverageOther duties as assigned
Qualifications:8+ years of experience in technical design within the apparel industry, with expertise in women's pants, activewear, and swimwear along with experience in other woven and knit, top and bottom categories.Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to effectively convey information to diverse audiences, including non-native English speakers.Detail-oriented with a proven ability to solve problems efficiently.Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.In-depth knowledge of patternmaking and fit principles.3D (CLO) experience is preferred but not required.Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and experience with PLM programs. Centric PLM experience is a plus.Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.Experience with petite and extended size fit and grading.Flexible and adaptable in a highly collaborative, start-up style environment.Strong understanding of product development and production cycle timelines.Experience in garment construction, fitting, and technical specifications.Highly organized and proactive, demonstrating exceptional multitasking abilities and initiative.Solution-oriented and a critical thinker who can balance multiple projects and priorities effectively.Strong relationship-building skills to foster effective partnerships.Resourceful and agile learner, able to quickly adapt to new tools and processes.Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently
Key Responsibilities:Collaborate with the design, merchandising, sourcing, and factory teams from concept to production to develop, refine and finalize product requirements for a variety of high-quality apparel products.Identify and address potential production, quality, and costing issues while maintaining design and fit intent.Uphold brand standards for fit, quality, and consistency while contributing to research and development of new standards as needed.Create, evaluate, and finalize detailed technical specifications within Centric PLM for Misses, Women’s, and Petite size apparel, including graded measurements, construction details, trim specifications, and fold/pack methods to align with design vision and pricing targets.Conduct fit sessions and provide constructive feedback to ensure optimal fit and function.Communicate pattern corrections clearly to factory pattern makers to ensure sample accuracy.Respond promptly to vendors, factories, and internal partners.Track and manage assigned categories.Meet all Technical Design deadlines as outlined in the master calendar.Escalate concerns to the Director in a timely manner.Develop and maintain comprehensive technical design documentation and records.Stay informed on industry trends and innovations in fabrics, trims, and construction techniques.Actively participate in weekly Technical Design team meetings.Function as a role model within the department. Mentor and coach technical designers and associates as needed.Create seasonal style hand-off documents.Review categories with the Technical Design Director for continuous improvement and share findings and suggestions with Merchandising and Design teams as directed.Support the Director of Technical Design with various tasks when necessary, including:> Sloper and stylized fit block development> Grading, POM, and tolerance updates within Centric PLM> Centric PLM training> KPI tracking> QC inspections> PTO coverageOther duties as assigned
Qualifications:8+ years of experience in technical design within the apparel industry, with expertise in women's pants, activewear, and swimwear along with experience in other woven and knit, top and bottom categories.Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to effectively convey information to diverse audiences, including non-native English speakers.Detail-oriented with a proven ability to solve problems efficiently.Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.In-depth knowledge of patternmaking and fit principles.3D (CLO) experience is preferred but not required.Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and experience with PLM programs. Centric PLM experience is a plus.Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.Experience with petite and extended size fit and grading.Flexible and adaptable in a highly collaborative, start-up style environment.Strong understanding of product development and production cycle timelines.Experience in garment construction, fitting, and technical specifications.Highly organized and proactive, demonstrating exceptional multitasking abilities and initiative.Solution-oriented and a critical thinker who can balance multiple projects and priorities effectively.Strong relationship-building skills to foster effective partnerships.Resourceful and agile learner, able to quickly adapt to new tools and processes.Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently