Technical Design Manager

THE PURPOSE:

The Tech Design Manager ensures the denim product development process aligns with the brand’s vision and maintains high technical and quality standards. This role bridges the design and production teams, overseeing fit, construction, and finishing from concept to final production. The Tech Design Manager also manages timelines, ensuring deadlines are met and products are delivered on time, while troubleshooting and resolving any technical issues that arise during development and production.

THE ROLE is Fearless and Focused

• Lead the technical design process for all denim products, from concept to production, ensuring fit, construction, and finish meet the design vision.
• Work closely with the Design team to translate sketches and ideas into technical specifications, including patterns, measurements, and construction.
• Collaborate with PD, fabric development, and production teams to select appropriate denim fabrics, trims, and finishes.
• Create and manage detailed tech packs, including specifications, construction notes, and quality standards.
• Oversee fit sessions, ensuring denim garments are properly fitted, and adjustments are communicated to the design, merch, and production teams.
• Provide technical expertise in denim construction and finishing, ensuring that products are produced to the highest quality standards.
• Troubleshoot and solve technical issues during the production process, including fabric behavior, garment shrinkage, and production efficiency.
• Manage technical designers and junior tech designers, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and innovations in denim to continuously improve the product development process.
• Manage timelines and ensure that all deadlines are met throughout the design and production phases, ensuring products are delivered on time.
• Ensure consistency and quality control in all denim products, maintaining brand standards across multiple collections.
• Liaise with the production team to ensure seamless communication and efficient workflows between design, technical, and manufacturing teams.
• Partner with and train factories on the brand’s processes, aesthetic standards, and quality expectations to ensure consistency in production and final product outcomes.

Managing & Operations:

• Develop and implement strategies to improve team productivity, performance, and collaboration, ensuring that the technical design team operates at maximum efficiency.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and help team members set career development goals.
• Develop and implement efficient systems to track progress on denim products, from design to manufacturing, ensuring all milestones are hit on time.

Strategy:

• Assist in building the sourcing strategy in collaboration with Product Development, Design, and Merchants.
• Partner with product development / R&D / design to ensure the line is developed and aligned with the brand aesthetic.

Financial:

• Work with cross-functional business partners to enforce vendor policies that minimize and bring resolution to potential financial liabilities.
• Ensure Vendors are aligned on best practices that support True Religion’s cost management, product quality, and delivery requirements.

Leadership:

• Set the appropriate tone for the teams; effectively manage through periods of change with a positive attitude despite ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Develop skills and build knowledge within the organization to increase bench strength and future succession capability.
• Recruit, identify, develop, and retain talent that delivers performance excellence
• As a manager, serve as a leader of the company culture, norms, and conduct

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• At least 10 years of experience in technical design or garment development, with a focus on denim or similar categories.
• Strong understanding of denim fabrics, washes, finishes, and garment construction techniques.
• Proven track record of project management, managing timelines, budgets, and coordinating with various departments (e.g., Design, Production, Sourcing).
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Illustrator, CAD, or Techpacker for creating tech packs, specifications, and designs.
• Familiarity with global production processes, including working with vendors and factories.