Director, Technical Design

Director, Technical Design

BUGATCHI seeks a Director, Technical Design to lead its South Florida office technical design team. This role sits on the collection design team and owns the technical design of collection styles and garments—translating the initial design sketch into the construction and style details captured in the tech pack. The Director, Technical Design partners closely with creative team members across every stage of garment development and works cross-functionally with design, technical design, and development. This roles includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Own the technical design of assigned collection styles end to end—translating the design sketch into complete construction and measurement details in the tech pack, and passing the package off to the pattern maker or factory within the communicated timelines.
• Set and uphold construction, quality, and fit-consistency standards across the collection, executing design intent and brand standards at every stage.
• Own tech pack accuracy and organization—including data entry for garment components, materials, and trims—and maintain the tech pack chart tracking pass-off status and outstanding updates.
• Lead construction notes in sketch reviews and drive technical technique trials and approvals with the design team.
• Manage other members of the technical design team, including their work flow and task management.
• Serve as the technical design point of contact for the atelier and overseas development factories, ensuring tech pack intent is understood and executed.
• Direct design fittings—capturing fit and technical notes and setting garment execution, distribution, and next steps in line with the design aesthetic and brand intent.
• Own reporting on tech pack pass-off and timing for weekly design meetings, where line sheets and sketches are reviewed.
• Represent technical design in garment proto reviews and cross-functional meetings with design, PD, and production—ensuring every garment is assessed and, where needed, proposing solutions or supplemental concepts aligned to the seasonal line plan.
• Resolve fit and construction issues on vendor samples and in pre-fit sessions on live models, partnering with the designer to achieve the intended aesthetic and proper fit
• Manage the development and maintenance of specs, grades, fit comments, quality control and other relevant matters.
• Develop and maintain consistent grade rules within product categories.
• Communicate with overseas factories regarding fit sample comments and changes as well as production timeline.
• Track and receive fit samples and prepare & process for fitting and keep a constant flow of communication with factories and team members.
• Collaborate with the related all departments while arrange fit comments or fitting.
• Advise Design team of all discrepancies between garment received and specs initially requested.
• Record all fit comments assisting designer in resolutions as needed while maintain an action calendar.
• Must have knowledge to clearly advise on how to fix patterns and fit; and
• Maintain professional & clear daily communication regarding construction details, fit and pattern issues.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in technical design.
• Technical knowledge of sewing and garment construction.
• Strong knowledge of pattern, patternmaking and grading and knowledge of production/manufacturing processes and capabilities.
• Strong written & verbal communication skills.
• Experience fitting and correcting men’s garments with designers, taking all comments and preparing specs and communicating all corrections.
• Ability to work with multiple teams with excellent communication, organizational skills, attention to detail and follow-up skills.
• Must be proficient in MS office, Photoshop, Illustrator.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with solid decision-making skills.
• Ability to multi-task with time management, handling several projects at once.
• Understanding of and interest in the fashion industry and its various channels.
• Hands-on experience with wovens and all garment types, including leather.
• Deep knowledge of construction standards, manufacturing methods, and stitching
• Luxury product experience and a strong luxury design aesthetic
• Knowledge of RLM and Gerber is a plus

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Unfortunately, due to the receipt of a significant number of applications, only selected candidates will be promptly contacted to proceed with our interview process and, therefore, we will be unable to respond to email, fax and telephone inquiries regarding your application status. Thank you for your submission and interest in joining BUGATCHI.