Lead Technical Developer- Internal Development and Innovation

Title: Lead Technical Designer
- Internal Development and Innovation

Department: Supply Chain Services
- Internal Development

Reports to: Sr. Manager, Internal Product Development and Innovation

Location: Irvine, Kentucky or Dearborn, MI

Job Classification: Hybrid

The Lead Technical Developer takes technical product details to the next level of innovation and quality to support the internal manufacturing operations. This role is accountable to ensure any requests are accepted, scoped, balanced, and acted upon in a timely manner. This position is responsible for balancing the Technical Design aspects of the product, coupled with the viable integration with an engineering focus of scalability and effective outcomes.

This incorporates costing, quality limitations and expectations, style development inputs, and technical support of the engineering teams.
The Lead Technical Developer builds and fosters strong collaborative relationships with internal/external partners, and cross functional teams whilst fostering a sense of quality excellence.

• Manage the Technical Development activities for all products that are produced within the internal manufacturing factories.
• Work with Global TD + PD category teams to ensure consistencies between all product and mainline Carhartt product. This includes fit, function, construction and details.
• Align any CCS/product with the vision and strategic plans provided by the Technical Design Director, Corporate Strategies, and Global Product Initiatives.
• Accountable for hind‑sighting each Crafted Series/special project and paying forward any learnings.
• Work to align and expand overall detailed technical information that will help promote in depth specifics that support the needs of our contractors, engineering and quality.
• Foster Relationship with cross functional peers, associates and leaders.
• Ensure prioritization of initiatives and operate with a sense of urgency.
• Create technical drawings (Quality Specifications & Visual Depictions of Part Details) at the sewing operation level
• Create & maintain technical drawing library to house standard operations to support and streamline future product development activities. PLM software knowledge preferred, or comparable drawing software
• Partner with Senior Manager, Director of Business Development, and Quality to ensure team alignment and linkage to all strategic and tactical plans.

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel & Textile Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree.

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience, plus a minimum of 2 years’ individual leadership experience: examples include, but not limited to: leading projects, leading company initiatives, leading in creation of and/or roll out of new processes, etc.

• Apparel, Retail, or Consumer Products industry.
• Project management skills preferred
• Strong technical design development and apparel industry background; the successful candidate will be a leader in technical design, development and merchandising with a focus on innovation and quality.

• Office environment

• Travel up to 30% domestic and/or internationally

• Moderate lifting, up to 20 lbs.

• This position has a Hybrid location:
  Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities.
• Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.