Role

The primary responsibilities of this role to act as the technical product construction, fit and quality liaison between Lands'End and the vendor (i.e. measurements, quality of sewing construction), and suggesting updates where necessary to ensure compliance to established departmental standards. Providing support to the product development team by monitoring brand quality standards and controlling the quality of sample and stock production. 

Responsibilities

• Evaluation of development and counter source style garments to ensure their fit, fabrication, and construction conforms to Lands’ End design requirements
  
  
• Maintain PLM system and tech pack update as required. Provide input for the development of appropriate construction methods, maintaining accurate written product and measurement specifications
  
  
• Collaborate with LE Asia Merchandising and QC on identifying and evaluating new factories and developing/training current & new vendors
  
  
• Support Sourcing team on costing review such as yield and product construction analysis  
  
  
• Training and calibration of Lands’ End vendors on the pre-production, apparel fit and sampling process as per the Brand SOP’s
  
  
• Drive product development fit deadlines in house and at the vendor to ensure calendar deliverables and dates are being met
  
  
• Resolution of product issues between Dodgeville technical partners and the vendor base
  
  
• Review and correction of style patterns using pattern making software
  
  
• Continual updating and refinement of the fit process guide for vendor training, calibration and vendor sample assessment process per product type
  
  
• Ensure alignment and conformance of LE minimum construction standards
  
  
• Support sourcing opportunities and project of new product and vendor
  
  
• Flag and call out any production and quality issues throughout a style’s cycle and work together with relevant teams to determine appropriate solutions
  
  
• Evaluation of development 3D protos & garments to ensure their fabrication, construction and fit conforms to Lands’ End design intent requirements
  
  
• Roll out of 3D prototyping in house and at vendor to support corporate 3D initiative
  
  
• Pre-screening both 3D and physical samples as needed in order to assist selected vendors or product categories
  
  
• Review graded nests and ability to train vendors on approved grading methodology

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge Requirements

• Bachelor degree or equivalent work experience in apparel technical design
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in similar technical design role
• A complete knowledge of apparel fit, grading, construction and production, as well as strong vendor management experience, in knits, woven and sweaters for Global markets
• Maximize value while improving the quality of goods and service levels
• Strong analytical skills as well as interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate with US Head Office and vendors independently
• Support in building a strong cross-functional relationships
• Attention to detail, follow-through and organization skills are critical
• Good command in spoken and written English
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office essential, with working knowledge of PLM, Optitex or similar 2D pattern making software with a working knowledge of some type of 3D software preferably Browzwear. Familiar with Illustrator, Photoshop or similar computer programs
• Ability to travel up to 20-50% of the time