Sr Director, Technical Design & Quality - Old Navy

Gap Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 197,800 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% off regular-priced merchandise

Competitive Paid Time Off plan

Employee stock purchase plan

401(k) with company matching

Job summary

Gap Inc. is seeking a Head of Old Navy Technical Design & Quality in San Francisco. This role requires 15+ years of technical design experience, overseeing quality assurance across various categories. The successful candidate will lead brand-level fit strategy, apply digital innovations to improve efficiency, and manage vendor relationships. The position offers substantial benefits, including a competitive salary ranging from $197,800 to $267,000 and a generous PTO plan.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Technical Design required, with additional experience in Quality Assurance.
• Deep expertise in fit analysis, body morphology, and garment construction.
• Proven experience driving digital and technology adoption within product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead brand-level fit strategy in partnership with Design to ensure precision.
• Drive technology innovation through adoption of digital tools and AI solutions.
• Oversee technical design and quality assurance across Adult, Kids, and Baby.

Skills

Fit analysis

Pattern engineering

Garment construction

Digital Product Creation tools

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design or related field

Tools

3D design software

PLM systems

AI tools

Job description

About Gap Inc.

At Gap Inc., we create culture as much as we create clothes. Our ambition is to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture.

Our portfolio—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta—each brings a distinct point of view to how we show up in the world and serve our customers. Old Navy democratizes style with quality and value for all. Gap champions originality through essential pieces that celebrate individuality. Banana Republic is rooted in a spirit of discovery, creating modern pieces inspired by craftsmanship and travel. Athleta champions the Power of She through confidence, strength, and movement.

We’re driven by a shared purpose: to bridge gaps—between people, perspectives, and possibilities—to create a better world. We’re building a team that performs at a high level—people who think boldly, take ownership, and turn ideas into impact. If you’re ready to learn fast and help shape what’s next, you’ll fit right in.

About The Role

The Head of Old Navy Technical Design & Quality will lead the execution of fit fidelity, quality, and product integrity for the Old Navy brand, ensuring design aesthetics are realized with precision through industry-leading fit standards and quality excellence. This role is accountable for driving operational excellence across Technical Design and Quality, modernizing ways of working, and embedding customer‑centric fit practices powered by digital innovation. The position oversees technical design and quality assurance across Adult, Kids, and Baby, and plays a critical role in translating enterprise strategy into brand‑level execution. The role requires strong collaboration with cross‑functional brand and sourcing partners, as well as external vendors, to enhance vendor capability, ensure adherence to Gap Inc. quality standards, and resolve fit and quality issues. This leader reports to the Vice President, Technical Design & Quality, Gap Inc. and balances strategic leadership with deep operational execution, translating enterprise vision into measurable brand outcomes while driving day‑to‑day excellence.

What You'll Do

• Lead brand‑level fit strategy in close partnership with Design to ensure aesthetic intent is executed with precision, leveraging customer feedback, return insights, and body data to deliver consistent, customer‑centric fit across categories and sizes.
• Own and evolve fit block standards and grading integrity, ensuring alignment to enterprise fit frameworks and improving fit accuracy.
• Drive technology innovation through adoption of Digital Product Creation tools (3D, virtual fit, digital prototyping) and AI‑enabled solutions to improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Govern fit and quality assurance processes across development and production, reducing rework, defects, and fit‑related returns.
• Own operational excellence through KPI delivery, including fit approval cycle time, first‑pass fit approval rate, return reduction, defect rate, and tech pack accuracy.
• Lead financial and operational rigor across the function, ensuring delivery against budget targets while driving continuous efficiency improvements.
• Implement and enforce standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and scalability across teams.
• Partner with Product Development and Sourcing to drive vendor readiness and capability across fit, quality, and product integrity, while advancing cost engineering to deliver optimal cost, trend‑right product, and margin alignment.
• Lead vendor performance through scorecards and continuous improvement programs, ensuring accountability in fit fidelity, quality, and delivery.
• Drive customer‑centric product integrity through use of returns data, fit feedback, and insights to continuously improve conversion rates.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Technical Design and Quality organization of 30+, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Role model change management efforts, driving adoption of new tools, processes, and ways of working across teams.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in Technical Design required, with additional experience in Quality Assurance.
• Deep expertise in fit analysis, body morphology, pattern engineering, grading, garment construction, and manufacturing processes across Adult, Kids, and Baby.
• Proven experience driving digital and technology adoption (3D, PLM, AI tools) within product development.
• Strong operational mindset with ability to translate product and customer metrics into product improvements.
• Experience leading vendor management, including scorecards and capability building.
• Demonstrated ability to lead transformation and change management initiatives.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills across matrixed, global organizations.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Expert in apparel manufacturing, with comprehensive knowledge of end‑to‑end production processes, garment construction, factory capabilities, and global sourcing, enabling informed decision‑making to optimize fit, quality, and cost.
• Ability to travel globally.

Benefits at Gap Inc.

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular‑priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• See more of the benefits we offer.

Gap Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long‑held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

Salary Range: $197,800 - $267,000 USD.

Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.