Technical Designer

Hybrid's humble beginnings started in 1997 in the back of a print shop designing, selling, and printing tee shirts. Today, Hybrid is a global apparel industry powerhouse in brand and licensing management. Hybrid provides its expertise and fully vertical operations capability - design, merchandising, development, sourcing, production, and distribution - to a broad suite of branded, licensed, generic, and private label partners. Hybrid's full-service apparel design and manufacturing expertise extends across the apparel category, including knits, woven tops, bottoms, tees, and accessories.

As our organization has evolved, so has our philosophy of doing business. We have made concerted efforts to remove ourselves from the antiquated approach of other apparel manufacturers and doing things differently has been our focus. We are building a company ethos that breeds innovation, collaboration, integrity and excellence in customer service.

What is my role?

The Technical Designer oversees the transition of apparel styles from design concept and first prototype to final production ready prototypes. This position holds responsibility for ensuring fit, specifications, quality and construction of the product are consistent and up to Hybrid and Private Label customer standards. Technical Design is an important part of the process working on both the development and production side and responsibilities include calendar adherence and process overview. This position handles product for core basics, licensed and private label cut and sew categories.

What You'll Do

• Manage all aspects of the technical transition of women's demographic apparel styles from first prototype to a final, production ready sample
• Partner closely with Design to gain clear direction and consensus of fit intent
• Manage daily workload and timelines of technical design in accordance with the account's timelines
• Establish specifications and construction requirements for each garment type and ensure size and fit consistency are met within product categories
• Ensure garments meet all global compliance of spec and construction and technical issues are identified, resolved and are compliant to meet customer standards and requirements
• Effectively communicate designs or customers fit intent to overseas vendors for bulk production while maintaining Hybrid or Private Label customer standards. Must be able to work closely with factories to achieve viable, commercial product
• Ensure that the technical comments, communicate fit intent, balance and construction to overseas vendors via pattern diagram or directly on pattern
• Identify potential production, quality and costing issues and make recommendations to ensure brand integrity
• Assure seasonal development calendar deadlines and customer production deadlines are met
• Strive for continual improvement that drives product and process enhancements.
• Work with Quality Assurance and Product Development to ensure fabrics and components are compatible with Technical fit and specifications
• Track and manage workflow and workload for own product and ensure product areas are maintained with cross-functional teams; gather information and update all reports necessary for meetings
• Work with team and review tracking reports and/ or PLM system WIP's to understand current fit and approval statuses
• Participate in team meetings, including departmental cross-functional meetings to discuss proto status and resolve issues as necessary
• Organize and execute fit sessions with design team on live model or dress forms
• Work with factories and internal teams to offer guidance on pattern details and how to improve fits
• Manage library of approved samples and patterns

What You'll Need

• Bachelors or Associates Degree in related field preferred
• 5-7 years' experience in technical design, fitting and spec packages
• Experience with private label is a plus
• Expertise in grading, construction and fit with an understanding of patternmaking
• Comprehensive understanding of physical fit for evaluation of body size, shape and the relationship of clothing on the target body
• Knowledge in knits, sweaters, woven materials and garment washes
• Understanding of product engineering, manufacturing process and garment timelines
• Ability to create technical drawing and renderings
• Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills when working with cross functional teams
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with an ability to get message across
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Desire to work in a fast-paced environment and flexible with changes and/ or additional needs that may be required by customers
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills on MS Office software, Adobe Illustrator, and PLM systems.
• Maintain, develop and implement data bases and systems (as required) which pertain to the technical information of products
• Fosters open communication and team environment with all business partners; receives constructive feedback professionally
• Holds self and others accountable for work commitments and outcomes
• Ability to prioritize workflow based on deadlines
• Must be detail oriented with strong organizational skills
• High motivation and willingness to learn

Hybrid Apparel is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.