Technical Designer

About us

KnitWell Group, a specialty retail operating company, comprises some of the most iconic brands in America – Ann Taylor, Chico's, Haven Well Within, Lane Bryant, LOFT, Soma, Talbots, White House Black Market. Individually, our brands are unique and strong. Together, we are powerful.Our common thread is our commitment to create exceptional products, provide memorable experiences, and achieve superior results. Our associates are innovators who thrive through collaboration and are dedicated to excellence. At the heart of it all are the customers we serve. We are dedicated to creating fashion that not only looks good but also makes our customers feel good.

About the role

The Technical Designer is responsible for facilitating the transition of apparel styles from design concept and first prototype to a final, production ready prototype. Collaborate with manager, agent partners, Sourcing, Product Development, Design, and Merchandising to ensure the fit, quality, delivery, and business practices are achieved and upheld. Demonstrate the company’s values and practices by maintaining effective collaborative relationships, taking pride in the company and brand.

The impact you can have

• Protect brand integrity through fit continuity, upholding construction standards, sizing, and styling consistency.

• Collaborate with business partners to gain clear direction and consensus of fit intent in order to establish the initial spec and construction detail.

• Execute the sample process by generating computerized specification packages.

• Manage the measuring and preparing of samples from development through production approval.

• Conduct fit evaluation sessions on live models to analyze balance and proportion of fit. Confirm compliance of garment to specifications and fit direction. Work closely with manager during and post fittings to continually improve skills.

• Document the fit results; deliver clear communication through comments / specs / diagrams / photos and review of block patterns.

• Partner with manager on recommendations for garment construction that produces best results to each factory.

• Follow up on e-mails from overseas office regarding comments on fit / construction / and maintain design integrity.

• Ensure seasonal deadlines are met for their styles; partner with manager to assess next steps when issues arise.

You’ll bring to the role

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study or equivalent functional experience 

• 6-8 years’ experience in Technical Design and/or Patternmaking

• Knowledge of grading, construction standards, and manufacturing methods

• Keen eye for garment proportion and design aesthetic

• Ability to write clear and detail fit comments with pattern corrections and fit images with Adobe Illustrator

• Ability to partner and collaborate with cross functional teams (Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing) as well as agents/vendors

• Flexible/adaptable in a fast-paced environment

• Strong computer knowledge in PLM, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams). Experience working in Bamboo Rose, a plus.

Benefits

• You will be eligible to receive a merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.

• Support for your individual development plus opportunities for career mobility within our family of brands.  

• A culture of giving back – local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match to eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities to support our communities.*  

• Medical, dental, vision insurance & 401(K).* 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Time off – paid time off & holidays.*

• The target salary range for this role is: $80,000 - $90,000

*Any job offer will consider factors such your qualifications, relevant experience, and skills. Eligibility of certain benefits and associate programs are subject to employment type and role.

• On-site:  This position works on-site at least 4 days per week consistent with the needs of the business at our Haven Well Within office location in New York, NY. 

Applicants to this position must be authorized to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship. We are not providing sponsorship for this position.

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Location:

New York Office

Position Type:

Regular/Full time

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable law. The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process, please contact [email protected]. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business. The Company will not revoke or alter a job offer based on an applicant’s request for reasonable accommodation.