Technical Design Manager - Cult Gaia (Los Angeles, CA)
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Company: Born in Los Angeles, Cult Gaia is known for beautiful heirloom pieces that will live in your closet forever. The cornerstone of Cult Gaia's DNA is creating objects d'art that makes you look twice. Since its inception, CG has grown from accessories into a lifestyle brand, selling everything from ready-to-wear to shoes, a world of Gaia.
What You Will Do
Oversee the technical design team, sample room, and pattern room from concept through production. Effectively strategize internally and with cross function partners, to meet all seasonal calendar deadlines. Create an atmosphere where creating the best product is just as important as cultivating talent and growth.
What You Can Bring
POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for maintaining quality and fit consistency from proto stage through production approval. Maintain product design integrity within calendar deadlines.
Ensure all products are manufacturing ready at time of order placement.
Knowledge of patterns and pattern corrections is preferred
The Technical Design Manager will help to prepare, steer and lead fit sessions for assigned categories and oversee the execution of styles to final fit, quality and construction.
Oversee and take part in the daily PLM system with all fit, quality and construction comments/issues via e-mail to import vendors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensure brand fit consistency is maintained seasonally. Work closely with current and new vendors on fit/construction requirements.
Responsible for day-to-day cross-functional partnership with Design, Sourcing Managers and Quality Assurance.
Manage the day-to-day development of a product line that adheres to seasonal calendars and sourcing strategies.
Populate PLM system with all comments and approvals and track fit sample progress on T&A’s from vendors.
In conjunction with Management, develop consistent size and fit standards, grade rules and tolerances, construction and quality standards, standard pattern blocks and tech pack blocks; how to measure standards.
Develop spec/construction blocks at the start of each season.
Create manufacture ready technical specification packages at the start of each season.
Collaborate with QC/Audit/Sourcing department in reviewing/resolving production quality issues.
Additional projects may be specified by management.
PLM updates and the delicate creation of tech packs.
Orchestration of fittings; includes pinning and flawless note taking.
Orchestration of pattern adjustments with pattern maker if needed.
Create concise comments and communications to factories.
Organize the entire fit process from 1st prototypes to final fit approvals.
Keep approved samples for reference and fit history.
Create CAD’s Computer Aided Drawings from scratch in proportion to the garment.
Build technical packages in PLM.
Responsible for uploading spec adjustments and grade breaks.
Controls all photography from fittings to the PLM (image)
Comments in the PLM under (image)
Any special notes per style implemented in PLM.
Use Adobe Illustrator to develop construction pages and technical schematics for workmanship.
Work with design to discuss any crossover duties like label placements or hanger tape.
Keeping the area clean and organized
Able to carry the workload of the brand via tech design.
REQUIREMENTS:
Years of Related Professional Experience: 10+ years of Technical Design experience, specifically with Dresses, Woven, Knits, Swim, etc.
AA or higher in Fashion Design or related field.
Strong knowledge of garment fit, construction and pattern adjustments.
Experience in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Illustrator.
Strong sense of urgency and ability to work through multi season deadlines
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and concisely
Team player and able to collaborate cross-functionally to ensure deadlines are met.
QUALIFICATIONS
Effectively communicate in written and verbal form.
Detail oriented with strong follow up skills; organize and prioritize multiple projects.
Have a sense of urgency in managing time and accomplishing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to react to change.
Ability to think creatively while accessing scientific problem-solving skills.
Must be computer literate (Outlook, Excel, Word, Adobe Creative Suite)
College required (especially a fashion education; draping, technical design.)
Graduated with A level school credits.
10+ years of experience in technical design is required.
Basic artistic skillset/ drawing/ illustrating.
Influence others; the power of persuasion
Ability to multitask.
Has a positive and humble attitude and is ready to juggle many technical jobs at a fast pace.