Technical Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical Design Manager

Company: Peter Millar

Location: Raleigh, NC, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Apparel Technical Design & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the technical design and fit approval process for apparel products, ensuring adherence to brand standards and quality from concept through production.

• Collaborate extensively with Product Development, vendors, and cross-functional teams to resolve technical challenges and maintain strict project timelines.

• Apply advanced pattern theory, grading principles, and garment construction knowledge to optimize fit, balance, and production efficiency.

• Utilize digital pattern analysis and PLM systems to manage specifications, maintain consistency, and improve overall product quality.

• Contribute to a data-driven approach by analyzing returns and fit feedback to continuously refine processes and enhance customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Technical Design Manager," the description emphasizes process management, quality control, vendor collaboration, and efficiency improvements, aligning it closely with operational excellence within apparel manufacturing. The role requires a blend of technical apparel expertise and operational management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end fit approval process, from initial design concepts to bulk production, ensuring all garments meet established quality and fit specifications.

• Partner with the Product Development team to define, maintain, and enforce core fit blocks, graded specifications, and technical standards across all product categories.

• Analyze and review 2D patterns for technical accuracy, providing detailed recommendations for adjustments to enhance fit, proportion, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Serve as the primary technical liaison with external vendors, clarifying pattern adjustments, resolving complex fit challenges, and ensuring consistent execution across production runs.

• Develop and implement best practices for spec development, fit sessions, and approval workflows to streamline operations and minimize errors.

• Maintain seasonal body and style metrics, ensuring consistency and alignment with brand fit guidelines and customer expectations.

• Monitor and analyze customer feedback, return data, and fit-related issues to identify trends and drive continuous process improvement initiatives.

• Conduct detailed competitor product comparisons and internal product assessments to inform best practices and maintain market competitiveness.

• Collaborate closely with factories on pattern adjustments and construction methods, ensuring adherence to technical requirements and quality standards.

• Manage multiple product categories simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a focus on process optimization, quality assurance, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core tenets of operations management within the apparel sector. The role requires not just technical knowledge but also the ability to manage workflows and drive efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Technical Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field. A strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of technical design principles will be considered.

Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience in technical design specifically within the men's apparel industry, with a proven track record of managing fit and construction for multiple product categories.

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of fit, patternmaking (both paper and digital), and pattern correction techniques.

• Comprehensive knowledge of grading principles, measurement standards, and garment construction methods.

• Proven ability to apply industry-standard finishing techniques and assembly methods.

• High proficiency in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems, Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

• Accurate color vision, with the ability to discern subtle differences in color, hue, and depth (Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue Test benchmark).

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills for problem-solving and process improvement.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage a high volume of styles.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and overseas partners. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design software for pattern development and visualization.

• Familiarity with various fabric types, their properties, and construction implications, as well as knowledge of washes and dyeing processes.

• Previous experience with PLM systems.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to meet with vendors and manufacturing partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on PLM, Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Excel, combined with the need for process management and vendor collaboration, strongly suggests a role that requires operational efficiency and system utilization beyond traditional design. The mention of "3D experience a plus" indicates a forward-looking approach to technical design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Detailed case studies demonstrating successful management of the fit approval process from concept to production, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making.

• Examples of detailed spec sheets, graded specs, and technical packages that illustrate precision and clarity.

• Visual documentation of pattern adjustments, construction details, and quality control checks.

• Evidence of collaboration with Product Development, vendors, or manufacturing partners to resolve technical challenges.

• Metrics showcasing improvements in fit consistency, reduction in production errors, or efficiency gains resulting from implemented processes. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of established workflows for fit sessions, including participant roles, feedback capture, and decision-making protocols.

• Examples of spec development procedures that ensure accuracy, consistency, and scalability across different product categories.

• Records of process improvements implemented to enhance communication with overseas vendors or manufacturing facilities.

• Methodologies for analyzing return data and customer feedback to drive iterative improvements in product design and fit.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Technical Design Manager role with operational responsibilities, a portfolio should showcase not just design output but also process management capabilities, problem-solving methodologies, and quantifiable results related to efficiency and quality.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Technical Design Managers with 5-7 years of experience in the Raleigh, NC area, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $85,000 - $115,000 annually. This estimate considers the specialized skills in patternmaking, garment construction, PLM proficiency, and the operational responsibilities involved in managing fit and quality across multiple product lines.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick days, and holidays.

• Employee discount on Peter Millar and G/FORE products.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site position. Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Flexibility may be required during peak seasons or to meet critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Raleigh, NC, considers the cost of living and demand for specialized technical design and operations talent in the apparel industry. Benefits are standard for full-time roles and tailored to attract professionals in this field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel & Fashion, specializing in luxury performance sportswear, seasonal resort and country club apparel, sophisticated classics, and tailored clothing. Peter Millar also encompasses the G/FORE brand, known for its distinct golf-inspired apparel and accessories.

Company Size: Based on LinkedIn data, Peter Millar and its associated brands likely operate with a significant workforce, potentially in the range of 500-1000+ employees, indicating a well-established organization with dedicated departments for design, development, operations, and sales.

Founded: Peter Millar was founded in 2001. This relatively recent founding, coupled with its rapid growth, suggests a dynamic, forward-thinking company culture that values innovation and agility.

Team Structure:

• The Technical Design team likely operates as a crucial component of the Product Development or Merchandising department, working closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, and Quality Assurance.

• Reporting Structure: The Technical Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Product Development, Technical Design, or Merchandising.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role requires constant interaction with Design