Associate Technical Designer - Apparel

At DICK’S Sporting Goods, we believe in how positively sports can change lives. On our team, everyone plays a critical role in creating confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams.  We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, reflecting the communities we serve.

If you are ready to make a difference as part of the world’s greatest sports team, apply to join our team today!

OVERVIEW:

The Associate Technical Designer is responsible for managing the fit and construction of garments for a single category of DICK’s Sporting Goods vertical brand products (approximately 30-40 products/season).  It is the responsibility of the Associate Technical Designer to deliver high-quality products in alignment with the brand standards and our athlete’s expectations for aesthetic, quality and fit.  The Associate Technical Designer is responsible to ensure product maintains design intent while meeting all company margin targets and on time deliverables.  The Associate Technical Designers run fittings, create initial specs, make spec adjustments, and communicate to the Product Manager and Designers recommendations to ensure the best product is delivered. In this role, the Technical Designer will collaborate with Product Manager and the Design team to translate the product design and style vision into a consistent fit and quality level by the development of the technical specification.

The ideal candidate for the role is an experience apparel technical designer, with relevant experience in the product categories he/she will lead (athletic, outdoor, golf) at a successful design firm or retailer.   In addition, the ideal candidate must in-depth knowledge of fit fundamentals including grading, patternmaking and apparel construction and manufacturing methods. 

We’re open to considering candidates across multiple experience levels, with final leveling determined based on experience and qualifications.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Fit Development

• Facilitate fit session to document technical adjustments to reflect creative design’s comments around aesthetic approval and to improve the garment as it relates to adherence to specification, construction, the overall appearance and fit enhancements.  Analyze all changes & how it relates to specification & pattern then translate information concisely to a technical package ensuring alignment from TD/Sr. TD.
• Develop block pattern & technical specifications by brand/classification in support of the brand profile, design vision & appropriate athlete base. Build technical specifications including technical illustration, construction details/seam specification, measurement spec, and trim requirements.
• Track, record and organize garments/information to ensure timely fit sessions from first proto to production approval; create and maintain fit matrix by brand and product type; organize pattern blocks; overlap and compare patterns in Optitex for manager; plot patterns for review and correction
• Work cross-functionally with the Design, Product management, Sourcing and Merchandising teams to align on strategic intent of the brand.  Actively participate in milestone development meetings to provide insight on measurement specifications and product history to engineer costs in development.
• Communicate with overseas vendors for tech pack and sample development questions; Make appropriate recommendations in collaboration with cross functional teams on matters pertaining to specs, patterns, construction and techniques to improve fit, balance and overall quality of garment.
• Partner with our HK office TD team for execution of product and problem solving; Participate in production quality issues escalated to QC and TD Directors by providing background information and recommending possible solutions in their product category
• Ensures that all time and action calendar deadlines are met; demonstrated understanding of the calendar, and is able to identify potential roadblocks and provide leadership with recommendation to navigate past roadblocks without impacting delivery time.

Tech Pack Creation and Maintenance

• Participate in tech pack hand-offs at the start of each season; complete technical portion of new tech packs and build construction sketches; work with cross-functional partners to fill in missing information for final vaulting to vendor
• Interpret the designer’s vision & define through specifications & detail drawings for clear, concise & accurate Tech Packs on all aspects that relate to technical design
• Ensure accuracy of Tracking Reports,  ETA's of sample arrival and Cut dates in alignment with the time and action calendar for assigned brand.  This includes following up with vendors, as needed to ensure key milestone dates are met.  Escalate potential misses to deadlines to leadership in a timely manner, including problem resolutions.

Competitive Research and Analysis

• Review specifications and grade to ensure relevancy in the marketplace and to the consumer.  Proactively provide update opportunities and recommendations
• Purchase competitor’s samples, measure samples, and document specs onto competitive review forms. 
• Assist in analyzing the data and presenting the information to Design, Product Management and Merchandising when necessary
• Complete wear tests to ensure product specifications will meet the intended athlete’s expectations as it relates to quality

PLM

• Tracks arrival of samples; organizes and maintains garments in the sample room as well as filing information and hard copy patterns; prioritize garments with Technical Designer.  Keep tracking reports updated (Qlik; other enterprise reporting platforms).
• Ensure that all time and action calendar deadlines are met
• Communicates and partners with design. Sourcing team, and manufacturer to protect integrity of set specifications.
• Work on more cost effective methods of garment construction with help from Technical Designer. 
• Attend all milestone meeting and weekly brand meetings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in apparel, textiles, or equivalent industry experience
• 3-5 years experience working with athletic apparel, sportswear, or outdoor apparel preferred
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system experience required
• Working knowledge of Optitex
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
• Thorough knowledge of garment fit, balance, grading, and tolerances

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VIRTUAL REQUIREMENTS:

At DICK’S, we thrive on innovation and authenticity. That said, to protect the integrity and security of our hiring process, we ask that candidates do not use AI tools (like ChatGPT or others) during interviews or assessments.

To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please note the following:

• Cameras must be on during all virtual interviews.

• AI tools are not permitted to be used by the candidateduring any part of the interview process.

• Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include ID verification.

If you have any questions or need accommodations, we’re here to help. Thanks for helping us keep the process fair and secure for everyone!