Technical Designer, Men's Apparel

Ross Stores; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Wellness programs

Charitable donations matched

Job summary

Ross Stores is seeking a Technical Designer for Men's apparel to lead product reviews and provide technical guidance on fit, grading, construction standards, and vendor collaboration. This role emphasizes mentorship, training, and driving consistency with the Merchant aesthetic across the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in technical design or product development, strong knowledge of fit and construction, and the ability to train Associates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or certification with equivalent experience in product development, technical design or related field.
• 5+ years of technical design, product development or production management experience.
• Ability to train and mentor colleagues as required.
• Strong knowledge of fit, materials, construction, patterns and production processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead product review processes and provide technical guidance to ensure alignment with Merchant aesthetics, fit, grading and construction standards.
• Train and mentor Associate Product Technicians (APTs) and peers within PTS.
• Own periodic activities including Merchant training and PTS projects.
• Conduct technical product reviews for designated categories to ensure the Merchant vision is achieved.
• Coach vendors on improvements and communicate corrections effectively.
• Oversee the lifecycle of product fit, quality and construction from concept to top of production samples.

Skills

Technical design

Product development

Production management

Mentoring/training

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Product Development/Management, or Technical Design

Job description

Our values start with our people, join a team that values you!

Bring your talents to Ross, our leading off-price retail chain with over 2,200 stores, and a strong track record of success and growth. Our focus has always been bringing our customers a constant stream of high-quality brands and on-trend merchandise at extraordinary savings. All while providing a fun and exciting treasure hunt experience.

As part of our team, you will experience:

• Success. Our winning team pursues excellence while learning and evolving
• Career growth. We develop industry leading talent because Ross grows when our people grow
• Teamwork. We work together to solve the hard problems and find the right solution
• Our commitment to Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, and our community. We celebrate the backgrounds, identities, and ideas of those who work and shop with us because our differences make us stronger. We strive to be a positive force in our community.

Our Corporate headquarters are in Dublin, CA, we have 3 buying offices in key markets in New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston, and 8 distribution centers nationwide. With 2023 revenues of $20.4 billion, we are a Fortune 500 company who is committed to providing an inclusive work environment with continuous learning opportunities and development for our teams.

About this opportunity...

The Technical Designer for Men's apparel manages the product review process for assigned areas and provides technical guidance to ensure the product is consistent with the Merchant aesthetic vision including fit, grading, construction standards and guidelines. The ideal candidate has technical, people and process management skills (for Apparel).

This individual needs to:

• Lead a product review process and providing technical suggestions to ensure the product is consistent with Merchant vison.
• Train and share technical expertise with Associate Product Technicians (APTs) and peers within PTS.
• Own periodic activities including Merchant training and PTS projects.

What you will do and what you will learn...

• Conduct technical product reviews for designated categories to ensure Merchant’s vision is achieved. This includes, pre-review, overseeing fit as needed, inputting comments into the Sample Tool and sending out comments and corrections to the vendor.
• Coach vendors on improvements needed based on recurring issues and advise when sample procedures and processes are not being followed.
• Track sample status and run reporting for vendors and Merchants to ensure product is reviewed in time to meet ship/cancel date.
• Collaborate with department leaders on project work to improve technical fit quality, understand competitor quality or make recommendations for changes.
• Oversee the fit, quality and construction of product throughout the lifecycle: From inspiration to tech pack creation development, and through Top of Production sample review.
• Ensure product integrity by owning consistent size and fit standards, grade rules, construction standards, quality standards, blocks and tech pack templates.
• Partner with Merchant and Sourcing teams on product direction and fit intent; develop tech packs with clear garment construction and fit direction to vendors and/or review vendor submissions.
• Anticipate potential problems and risks, generates ideas and solutions.
• Encourage innovation and looks to evolve work process for efficiencies and effectiveness. Challenge the status quo.
• Establish strong relationships with the Merchants, PTS, Sample Team and other Key Business Partners.
• Proactively problem solve issues and offer a range of solutions to partners.
• Gain alignment and influence decisions within PTS and with Merchant Partners.
• Flex communication depending on audience to ensure clear understanding.
• Keep manager informed of important matters and problems.
• Mentor and guide APTs to foster their skill development.
• Create and update training materials for PTS internal training and Merchant training as directed by manager.
• Engage in ongoing self-development to improve technical knowledge and keep skills current.

#LI-NM1

What you need to be successful...

• Bachelor’s Degree in Product Development/Management, or Technical Design preferred, or certification with equivalent experience
• 5+ years of technical design, product development, production management or equivalent experience
• Ability to train & mentor as required
• Experience in leading fit sessions with fit model as needed and the ability to communicate corrections and understand cost implications
• In depth knowledge of fit, materials, construction, patterns and production
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Perks and Benefits of joining our team...

Our Associates are at the heart of everything we do and we're proud to offer a range of benefits that reflect how much we value their contributions. Here's a peek into what you can expect as an eligible Ross Associate:

• A broad range of affordable health insurance options & personal medical plan concierge
  401(k) with employer match and Life insurance
• Ample PTO including accrued vacation, paid holidays, diversity day, summer Fridays and the ability to purchase additional vacation.
• Employee stock purchase plan*
• Access to health and wellness benefits such as BetterHelp and Headspace
• Charitable donations matched by Ross Stores Foundation
• And more....

*benefits vary by level and position and are subject to change

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at management’s discretion.

Ross is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of the Company’s overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented and diverse workforce. Ross is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

The base pay range for this role $90,000.00 to $105,000.00. The base pay range is dependent on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, qualifications, relevant education, certifications, seniority, and location. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards vary by position and location.