Apparel Technical Design Manager

Company Introduction

La Jolla Group is a leading apparel management company with a proven track record of building, growing, and supporting some of the industry’s most recognized and exciting brands. Through strong partnerships, innovative thinking, and operational expertise, we provide the infrastructure and resources brands need to thrive in a fast-moving marketplace. As our portfolio continues to evolve and grow, so does the opportunity to be part of what we’re building.

Our team thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment where great ideas and great people make an impact. Employees enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule, generous discounts on our apparel brands, early-release Fridays at 2:00 p.m., occasional employer-provided lunches, year-round local events, and a comprehensive benefits package. Most importantly, we believe our people are our greatest asset and are committed to investing in their growth, development, and strengths.

General Summary

Manage Technical Design team deadlines, workflow, and workload allocation while ensuring key development and production milestones are met. Create and maintain grade rules, size charts, and fit standards across assigned brands and categories. Coordinate fit models and related budgets, manage calendar dates, and oversee fit direction across product categories. Support the team with pattern corrections and continuously evaluate new technologies and processes that can improve efficiency and workflow.

Oversee assigned product categories from initial development through approved pre-production samples, ensuring consistent fit, construction, and quality throughout the sample process. Partner closely with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams to communicate fit and construction changes, resolve quality issues, and ensure products meet established brand standards. Support the quality control process, review styles that do not meet expectations, and provide guidance on corrective actions. Mentor, support, and provide technical direction to members of the Technical Design team.

Essential Job Functions

• Help create tech design calendar and manage team to ensure deadlines are met including allocating workload scheduling fittings and maintaining trackers
• Continuously monitor industry standard size charts and keep all brands inline with current market sizing including creating grade rules and updates to current blocks
• Work with warehouse manager to oversea QC process and maintain quality product
• Maintain tech design budget including fit models’ compensation
• Attend all fittings to help maintain corrections and overall fit consistency
• Assist tech design team in pattern corrections using the latest industry software
• Manage the tech design for all EB categories as well as part of the Oneill Women’s Inline Categories including all fleece, bottoms and blanks
• Initial first proto style set up with specs to vendors through to final PP2 approval
• Responsible for owning the lifecycle per style (fit/ Construction) from start to finish.
• Creating specs for all styles in PLM based off of the designer’s sketches or samples
• Measure all garments for their category and prepares and leads all fittings for their assigned categories
• Resolves and communicates fit and construction issues internally with all teams, and externally with vendors within production timelines and in a professional manner
• Establishes and maintains fit and construction standards and blocks to ensure brand consistent and quality
• Responsible for managing and hitting all deadlines along with communicating any issues with deadlines
• Works to improve fit and quality through review of customer comments, sales feedback, and understanding competition
• Understands how to read and correct patterns either through Tukatech (or similar software) and/or via other methods- taking photos, drawing on patterns etc.
• Possesses understanding of how grading works mathematically
• Organizes with time management and attention to detail
• Full understanding of their specific category, historical issues, understanding of fabrications
• Strong communication internally and externally with vendors
• Team player able to work closely with other team members to help manage overall workload for the department in addition to managing their own workload
• Is a leader and helps mentor and guide other technical designers on the team
• Able to handle our biggest volume driven and complex categories

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the product life cycle including development and production timelines.
• Ability to effectively identify and resolve problems.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately to ensure deadlines are met.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to wear many hats and juggle multiple projects at one time.
• Must be able to work effectively across multiple functions with business colleagues domestically and internationally

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree –Technical Apparel Design or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in Technical Design.
• Intermediate computer skills with emphasis on MS Office software, Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Computer patternmaking software experience is a plus (preferably Tukatech)
• PLM software experience also a plus

Benefits

La Jolla Group offers a comprehensive benefits package for regular, full-time employees designed to support overall well-being and work-life balance. Eligible team members can participate in:

• Health, HSA, Dental, and Vision insurance options
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Enjoy additional perks and opportunities for growth within a collaborative, lifestyle-focused culture.

Physical Requirements

Seeing: Must be able to see well enough to read reports.
Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with customers, vendors and employees.
Standing/Walking: Must be able to move about company building.
Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Must be able to stoop or kneel to pick up products.
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.
Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to type and use technical sources.

LJG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected pregnancy or maternity leave), genetic information and any other characteristics protected by law.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.