Sr Technical Designer - Bottoms (Chico's)

Chico's FAS, Inc DBA Chico's Retail Services, Inc; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chico’s is seeking a Senior Technical Designer to ensure product fit, appearance, and construction standards across assigned areas. This role may lead a team and works with Design and Merchandising to evolve processes and improve overall garment quality.

Responsibilities include leading weekly fit sessions, directing specs and construction methods, and coaching team members to uphold brand integrity and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fashion design or equivalent; seven+ years in apparel production preferred.
• Strong patternmaking, garment construction and production timeline knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads fit sessions with designers and merchants to translate fit and aesthetics.
• Provides technical direction on specs, construction methods and techniques.
• Maintains fit consistency and applies standard grading rules.
• Executes tech packs from development to pre-product for departments.
• Meets Product Lifecycle Calendar dates for development and approvals.
• Collaborates with vendors to resolve fit, quality and timeline issues.
• Represents technical design in cross-functional team meetings; mentors staff.

Skills

Patternmaking

Garment construction

Quality standards

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fashion design or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

FLEX PLM

Optitex

Job description

About us

Established in 1983 in a small Sanibel Island boutique filled with artfully stylish pieces, Chico’s has evolved to inspire accomplished women to embrace and express their individuality through effortless chic and unique styles. We’re dedicated to making women feel confident and beautiful. Build your career with a team that empowers you.

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.

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.