Sr. Technical Design Manager at United Legwear and Apparel Company

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Technical Design Manager

Company: United Legwear and Apparel Company

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Technical Design (Apparel)

Date Posted: 2025-06-09T00:00:00

Experience Level: 8+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Lead technical design processes for men's apparel, ensuring consistent fit and construction details across various product categories including tops, bottoms, outerwear, and knits.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Production, Product Development) and external factories to optimize garment construction and resolve production issues.
Manage sample tracking, conduct technical fittings, and maintain detailed technical specification packages and tech packs for efficient communication with manufacturing partners.
Mentor and manage a team of technical designers and patternmakers, setting priorities and providing feedback to ensure timely execution of design comments and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on leading a team, managing complex product categories (men's tops, bottoms, outerwear, knits), and collaborating extensively across departments and external vendors indicates a senior-level technical design position requiring strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills within the apparel industry.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Create and maintain comprehensive technical specification packages, including detailed garment construction information, sewing details, trims, and precise measurements.
Accurately measure incoming garments against vendor measurements and ensure the consistency of measurements and specifications across all product categories.
Prepare and meticulously track samples for fittings, ensuring all approval deadlines are met to maintain the production schedule.
Lead and participate in technical fittings, preparing samples, taking detailed notes, and completing comprehensive fit lists for each garment.
Manage and maintain the technical log and tech packs under the direction of the VP of Design, ensuring all documentation is current and accurate.
Generate detailed Points of Measurement (POM) sketches, specifications, and tech packs for clear communication with manufacturing partners.
Communicate effectively with domestic and import factories using various methods such as pattern corrections, digital photos, technical sketches, technical notes, and detailed garment construction instructions.
Manage style input and data accuracy within the web-based Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
Collaborate daily with overseas partners and internal Design, Production, and Product Development departments to ensure seamless workflow and issue resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities highlight the core functions of a Senior Technical Design Manager in apparel, focusing on the technical aspects of garment development from initial specification to final production. The emphasis on detailed documentation (tech packs, specs, POMs), communication with factories, and managing the fitting process are critical for ensuring quality and consistency in apparel manufacturing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Technical Design, Fashion Design, or equivalent practical experience in a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 8+ years of dedicated technical design experience, specifically with men's apparel lines (tops, bottoms, outerwear, knits), demonstrating a strong portfolio of successful garment development and fit management.

Required Skills:

Extensive technical design experience with a focus on men's apparel categories.
Profound knowledge of garment construction, sewing techniques, and manufacturing processes (both import and domestic).
Advanced understanding of patternmaking and draping principles.
Exceptional ability to conduct and lead technical fittings, providing clear and actionable feedback.
Proficiency in creating detailed technical specification packages and tech packs.
Strong visual acuity with an eye for color, texture, pattern, and the ability to visualize garments in three dimensions.
In-depth knowledge of fabric finishes, treatments, capabilities, and functions relevant to apparel production.
Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor a technical design or patternmaking team.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), and experience with web-based PLM systems.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with specific PLM software used in the apparel industry (e.g., Centric, Stylezone, etc.).
Familiarity with 3D design software for apparel (e.g., Clo3D, Optitex).
Experience in process improvement and scaling technical design operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The repetition of the education and experience requirements in the original text is likely a formatting error. Based on the "Senior" title and the depth of responsibilities, an 8+ year experience requirement with a relevant degree is appropriate for this level in the apparel technical design field. The preferred skills reflect advanced tools and strategic responsibilities common for senior roles.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Include case studies demonstrating your technical design process from initial concept to production-ready garment.
Showcase examples of detailed technical flats, construction diagrams, and Points of Measurement (POM) charts.
Present examples of how you've identified and resolved complex fit or construction issues in previous apparel projects.
Highlight your experience with different fabric types, finishes, and their impact on garment fit and construction.

Process Documentation:

Document your approach to reviewing fit samples and collaborating with design and production teams.
Illustrate your methods for communicating technical feedback and corrections to factories.
Showcase your experience in utilizing PLM systems for technical data management and tracking.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Technical Design Manager role in apparel, the portfolio should heavily emphasize technical documentation, problem-solving, and process management rather than purely aesthetic design. Demonstrating the ability to translate design intent into manufacturable garments with precise specifications is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $155,000 - $180,000 per year

Benefits:

Comprehensive health insurance plan (details not specified).
Potential for advancement and upward mobility within the company.
Opportunity to contribute to charitable initiatives supported by the company.
Professional development support (details not specified).

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility as required by project deadlines and communication with overseas partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and reflects a senior-level technical design position in the New York City area, aligning with industry standards for this level of experience and responsibility in the apparel sector. While specific benefit details were not provided, general benefits common in the industry are listed.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Retail Apparel and Fashion, specializing in legwear, bodywear, apparel, and accessories.

Company Size: 501-1,000 employees globally.

Founded: 1998.

Team Structure: The Senior Technical Design Manager reports directly to the VP of Design and manages a team of technical designers and patternmakers. The role involves significant collaboration with cross-functional teams including Design, Production, and Product Development.

Methodology: The company emphasizes integrity of goods, compliance, quality assurance, and meeting delivery dates. The technical design team plays a crucial role in ensuring product quality through meticulous fit and construction review and communication with manufacturing partners.

Company Website: https://www.unitedlegwear.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: United Legwear and Apparel Company's focus on quality, compliance, and timely delivery, as stated in their description, highlights the critical importance of the technical design function in their business model. The "Unity, Loyalty, Advancement, Charity" values suggest a culture that values teamwork, employee development, and social responsibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is a senior-level management position, indicating a significant degree of autonomy, leadership responsibility, and influence on the technical aspects of product development within the apparel design hierarchy.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to the VP of Design suggests a direct line to senior leadership, allowing for strategic input on technical design processes and standards.

Design Impact: This role is critical to ensuring the manufacturability, fit, and quality of apparel products, directly impacting customer satisfaction and brand reputation. The manager's expertise influences production efficiency and cost management.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential for advancement to higher leadership roles within the Design or Product Development departments.
Opportunities to refine leadership and team management skills through coaching and mentoring direct reports.
Involvement in process improvement and scaling initiatives offers strategic growth potential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Technical Design Manager role is a key leadership position within the apparel product development pipeline. The reporting structure and management responsibilities indicate a clear path for continued growth in leadership and strategic influence within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site office setting.

Office Location(s): New York, NY (10018).

Design Workspace Context:

The work environment is described as typically quiet to moderate, which is standard for an office setting.
The role involves regular periods of sitting for long durations, which is typical for technical design work involving computer use and sample review.
The requirement to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds suggests the handling of garment samples and materials.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site position. While specific daily hours aren't listed, the need to communicate with overseas partners may require some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role in New York City is typical for apparel technical design positions that require hands-on work with garment samples and close collaboration with internal teams. The description of physical demands is standard for roles involving sample handling.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Expect initial screening potentially involving HR and a technical recruiter, followed by interviews with the hiring manager (VP of Design) and potentially other team members.
The process will likely include discussions about your technical design experience, particularly with men's apparel, fit management, and factory communication.
Be prepared to discuss your experience leading a team and your approach to mentoring and performance management.
A portfolio review will be a critical component, focusing on your technical documentation and problem-solving skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Organize your portfolio to clearly showcase your technical design process and the various stages of garment development.
Include detailed tech packs, fit comments, and examples of how you've addressed and resolved technical challenges.
For each project, clearly explain your role, the challenges you faced, and the technical solutions you implemented.
Demonstrate your proficiency in relevant technical design software and PLM systems through examples of your work.

Challenge Preparation:

Be ready to discuss hypothetical fit or construction issues and how you would approach resolving them, including communication with factories and internal teams.
Prepare to walk through a complex garment's technical specifications and explain the key considerations for production.

ATS Keywords: Technical Design, Apparel, Fashion Design, Fit Samples, Garment Construction, Tech Packs, Specifications, POMs, Patternmaking, Draping, Grading, Fit Comments, Factory Communication, PLM, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, Team Leadership, Team Management, Mentoring, Quality Assurance, Production, Product Development, Men's Apparel, Outerwear, Knits, Wovens, Compliance, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Fit Analysis, Technical Flats, Bill of Materials (BOM), Sample Management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior technical design role will heavily focus on technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage complex processes and communicate effectively with various stakeholders. The portfolio review is essential for demonstrating practical skills and experience.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for technical flats, sketches, and documentation. Proficiency is required.
Web-based PLM system for managing style input, specifications, and tracking. Experience with a web-based system is essential.
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for communication, documentation, and presentations.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Experience with systems for communicating technical notes and corrections to overseas factories (likely email, PLM, and potentially specific factory portals).
Tools for sharing digital photos and technical sketches with manufacturing partners.

Research & Testing:

While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools or methods for measuring garments accurately against specifications is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed tools are standard for technical design in the apparel industry. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and experience with a PLM system are fundamental requirements for this role. While specific PLM names are not mentioned, general experience with such systems is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Emphasis on integrity of goods and quality assurance in all technical design processes.
Commitment to meeting delivery dates through efficient technical design and communication with production.
Value placed on collaboration and teamwork across design, production, and product development departments.
Focus on continuous process improvement and standardization of fit.

Collaboration Style:

Daily communication and collaboration with overseas partners and internal cross-functional teams.
Leading technical fittings involves direct interaction and feedback exchange with design teams.
Mentoring and coaching direct reports within the technical design and pattern teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values of "Unity, Loyalty, Advancement, Charity" likely influence the team culture. The emphasis on collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement directly aligns with the responsibilities of a Senior Technical Design Manager in ensuring product excellence and team growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Managing the technical design process for a diverse range of men's apparel categories with varying construction complexities.
Ensuring consistent fit and quality across different manufacturing partners (import and domestic).
Balancing aesthetic expectations with production capabilities and cost constraints.
Managing and prioritizing the workload of the technical design and pattern teams in a fast-paced environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Opportunities to enhance leadership and team management skills.
Involvement in strategic initiatives focused on process improvement and scaling technical design operations.
Exposure to a wide range of apparel categories and manufacturing techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role stem from its senior level and the complexity of managing technical design for multiple apparel categories across a global supply chain. The growth opportunities are tied to leadership development and strategic contributions to the technical design function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to discuss your technical design process from concept to production, highlighting key steps and considerations for men's apparel.
Explain your approach to conducting fit sessions, providing feedback, and managing fit approvals.
Describe how you create detailed technical specification packages and ensure accuracy for manufacturing.

Company Culture Questions:

Research United Legwear and Apparel Company's values and mission and be prepared to discuss how your approach to technical design aligns with their focus on quality, compliance, and collaboration.
Discuss your experience working in a fast-paced environment and your ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select case studies that best demonstrate your technical expertise in men's apparel, particularly with the specified categories (tops, bottoms, outerwear, knits).
Focus on the technical details in your portfolio presentation, explaining your rationale behind construction decisions and fit adjustments.
Highlight your experience communicating with factories and resolving production-related technical issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating extensive technical knowledge, leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage complex technical design processes within the apparel industry. Highlighting experience relevant to the company's product categories and values will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your senior-level technical design experience, specifically with men's apparel and team leadership.
Prepare a detailed portfolio showcasing your technical design process, including tech packs, fit comments, and examples of problem resolution.
Research United Legwear and Apparel Company to understand their business, values, and the types of products they develop.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Sr. Technical Design Manager