Sr. Manager, Technical Design

Company Description

Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with a casual aesthetic to transition into everyday life. We draw inspiration from an active coastal California lifestyle; an integration of fitness, creative expression and life. Our high energy fast paced retail environment is reflected in the clothes we make. We aim to inspire others to take on all aspects of their lives with clarity, enthusiasm and purpose…while having a lot of fun along the way. We are proud to be an outlet for opportunity and for personal growth and success.

Job Description

The Sr Manager, Technical Design is a leader on the Technical Design team; responsible for leading multiple product categories to develop best-in-class technical prototypes into production ready apparel products that inspire happiness for our customer. We’re looking for a self-starter who can independently manage their own workload as well as overseeing and supporting a team of technical designers. The ideal candidate will inspire the team with their leadership style in addition to having high level apparel patternmaking, construction and manufacturing knowledge. This role requires a strong understanding of the customer and is the voice of the customer regarding product fit, construction and quality. They are innovative and accountable to deliver design’s creative vision in tandem with the brand’s customer expectations. This individual has a proactive and collaborative communication style and can work across the diversity of our internal cross functional partners and external vendor base. The role works hand in hand with all product creation functions. 

Qualifications

What you'll get to do: 

• Leads a strong team in executing fit consistency (develop and maintaining standards), design intent and quality construction across product classifications 
• Ability to translate design’s creative vision (silhouette, fabrication, fit intent and design details) while effectively collaborating to translate into the brand’s customer expectations 
• Proactively recommend solutions that will ensure design intent, fit, construction, quality, timelines and cost are met 
• Provide leadership to the product creation teams in all fit sessions.
• Lead fittings through a detailed repetitive process; implement adjustments to make sure fit sessions are productive 
• Manage fit block creation process, block library and block maintenance, including training to cross functional teams and presentations to cross functional leadership
• Maintain grading standards, managing exceptions effectively, has complete understanding and knowledge of grading, owner/librarian of the grade table 
• Evolve the construction standards to constantly uplevel the quality and create consistency in make across the vendor base 
• Monitor vendor performance throughout the development process, proactively educate vendors on brand standards and process 
• Lead fit model evaluation process/data base, recruiting for base and all size models as needed 
• Perform competitor research on a continual basis; gain a full understanding of the Vuori customer vs the competition
• Action on consumer fit feedback to improve product and maintain carryover fit history
• Utilize the team to hit all deadlines; proactively communicating challenges
• Create an inclusive environment for the team to work in synergy 
• Drives exceptional team performance through learning, open dialogue, collaboration and transparency 
• Mentor technical team members through personal development plans and career planning

Who you are: 

• Degree in apparel design, pattern making, or related field and/or equivalent work experience 
• 8+ years’ experience in technical design roles
• Strong people leader with experience managing a technical design team 
• Innovation mindset and ability to think outside the box
• Experience working directly with Pattern Engineers (Internal and Overseas); onsite manufacturing experience preferred
• Expert in reading and correcting patterns through 2D/3D software (Gerber and V-stitcher);
• Seasoned in manipulation of data, statistical analysis and advanced math calculations
• Excellent communication, organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners through issue resolution 
• Approaches problem solving with a strategic and holistic mindset 
• Must multitask efficiently
• Must work proficiently in Outlook, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator 
• Knowledge PLM Centric is a plus 
• Ability to teach pattern making

Additional Information

Our investment in you:

At Vuori, we’re proud to offer the following to our employees: 

• Health Insurance 
• Savings and Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Generous Vuori Discount & Industry Perks 
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness & Fitness benefits

The salary range for this role is $140,000 per year - $175,000 per year. This role is bonus eligible.

Vuori is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.