Senior Technical Designer, Wovens (WHBM)

White-House-Black-Marke; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KnitWell Group, the owner of White House Black Market, seeks an experienced Technical Design Lead in the Fort Myers area to ensure fit, appearance, and construction standards across assigned product lines. You will guide a team, drive process improvements, and partner with designers, merchants and vendors to elevate product quality.

The role emphasizes leading fit sessions, executing tech packs, and maintaining calendar milestones while upholding brand integrity across WHBM collections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; in Fashion Design a plus
• 7+ years’ experience in the apparel Industry including patternmaking experience
• Detail oriented with ability to drive to completion with strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of garment manufacturing process required
• Good understanding of fit, balance, pattern, and garment construction, fabrics and fabric performance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Effective team building skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative suite required
• Working knowledge of Web based applications, i.e. FLEX PLM or comparable software required
• Entrepreneurial spirit and passion for apparel business and ability to work effectively as a team player
• Knowledge of pattern software preferred (2D/3D, Optitex, CLO, Brozwear)

Responsibilities

• Leads weekly fit sessions.
• Collaborates with designers and merchants to translate fit and aesthetic details.
• Provides technical direction on specs, pattern, construction methods and techniques.
• Maintains fit consistency and applies standard grade rules.
• Executes tech packs from Development to PP for assigned departments.
• Ensures Product Lifecycle Calendar dates are met for Development and Garment Fit Approvals.
• Resolves problems with the fit process in collaboration with vendors.
• Attends cross functional team meetings to address vendor, quality, and timeline concerns.
• May train new associates and coach team members on technical design responsibilities.

Skills

Garment construction

Patternmaking

Technical design leadership

Vendor coordination

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Fashion Design degree a plus

Tools

Optitex

CLO

Brozwear

FLEX PLM

2D/3D pattern software

Job description

About us

Built on the foundation of fashion’s most iconic color contrast – White + Black – WHBM inspires independent women to embrace their power and femininity through modern yet timeless styles. We’re proud to be a place for passionate people to learn, grow, and build empowered careers.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

This position is primarily responsible for ensuring that Brand quality fit, desired appearance, and quality construction standards are met and maintained for assigned product area. This position may lead a team of Technical Designers. Works closely with Technical Design leader to enhance and evolve processes and procedures as business evolves; broaden technical knowledge and expertise, while continually striving to elevate the quality of the product. Participates in meeting departmental goals. Ensures brand integrity through consistency of fit, keeping the customer top of mind.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads weekly fit sessions. Collaborates with designers and merchants to translate fit and aesthetic details. Provides technical direction, in collaboration with peer teams, supervisor and vendor on matters pertaining to specs, pattern, construction methods and techniques to improve fit, balance, and overall quality of the garment. Maintains fit consistency for product area. Ensure standard grade rules are applied to each garment. Executes tech packs from Development to PP of assigned departments and additional product classifications as directed. Ensures Product Lifecycle Calendar dates are met for Development and Garment Fit Approvals. Anticipates and resolves any problems with the fit process. Partners with vendors in the resolution of problems as necessary. Attends weekly cross functional team meetings raising up any issues that pertain to vendor, quality, and/or timeline concerns. Works closely with Technical Design leaders to enhance and evolve processes and procedures, as business evolves, while driving to elevate the quality of the product. May train new associates in the technical design responsibilities and process cycle. May coach team members by evaluating team process on a regular basis, recommend and implement improvements, as needed. Partners with vendors in the resolution of problems as necessary to maintain standards and timelines. May execute tech packs from Development to PP of assigned departments and additional product classifications as directed. Values individuality and the diverse talents of their team. Leads the team by communicating expectations, providing guidance, delivering feedback, and empowering the team to be their best. This position may be found in multiple departments. Some duties may vary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; in Fashion Design a plus 7+ years’ experience in the apparel Industry including patternmaking experience with full knowledge of total production timeline Detail oriented with ability to drive to completion with strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills Understanding of garment manufacturing process required Good understanding of fit, balance, pattern, and garment construction, fabrics and fabric performance Excellent written and verbal communication skills Excellent time management skills Effective team building skills Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Working knowledge of Adobe Creative suite required Working knowledge of Web based applications, i.e. FLEX PLM or comparable software required Entrepreneurial spirit and passion for apparel business and ability to work effectively as a team player Knowledge of pattern software preferred (2D/3D, Optitex, CLO, Brozwear) #LI-SK

Location: Corporate FAS Retail Services - Fort Myers, FL 33928

Position Type: Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation. KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful. Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.