Head of Technical Design, Children's Polo

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:

RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through:
Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

The Head of Technical Design, Children's Polo directs the Technical Design Team to create and distribute tech packs in a timely and robust manner ultimately resulting in production ready samples and fit approvals- ensuring that all standards are met. Their leadership creates a team fluent in the end to end process. They should be implementing the Closer to Needle Point strategy where appropriate.

They ensure true partnership with the global Technical Design Teams. This position is also accountable for creating, enabling, and rolling out initiatives to empower RL Suppliers to be independent and high functioning. They lead globally (cross functionally and externally) to ensure understanding and engagement- be it simplification tools, self-approvals, or calibration to RL standards. They work cross functional in NY to ensure widespread embracement of global practices eliminating duplication

• Be intimate with the brand needs from a development perspective to enable execution of product:
• Calendar
• Construction standards
• Fit requirements
• Cause and Effect parameters- for example: accurate proto garments bringing design intent to life enable accurate sales samples.
• Global skill sets in both NY and the regional offices to ensure offshore empowerment is possible.
• Supplier capabilities through in-depth knowledge of the supplier matrix.
• Simplification Tools to enable robust simple tech packs.
• 3D requirements.
• Ensure every style in the line has a completed tech pack and digital asset- note: the digital asset requirements are new, and this capability will take time to build.
• Promote learning and career growth in the department:
• PLM Training
• Construction Classes
• Fit Classes
• Browz Wear Training
• Own brand construction standards and VQS requirements for Lauren Brand.
• As we grow, the capability of 3D in Technical Design, it is imperative that this position learns and maintains knowledge / speed of Browzwear the program.
  
  NOTE:
  
  This position must dedicate 20-25% of their time each week using the program to ensure full understanding of how Browzwear works to ensure effective leadership. The technology changes and is often upgraded, so we want to ensure leadership is kept aware of its capability.
• Along with knowing Browzwear comes the knowledge of Lota. This is essential to this position as encouraging Design to use the program requires the knowledge of knowing what you are asking someone else to do.
• This position must be aware of current status as it pertains to Tech Pack Completion at all times to be able to communicate up, out, and across the organization.
• Accurate reporting of metrics (successes or failures) up and out of the department.
• Align with cross functional team member on seasonal deliverables to enable execution.
• Spearhead the development of 3D capability with digital drapes and digital proto during the Design process.
• Performance management of the team to recognize strengths and achievements and manage development opportunities. Global professionalism with regards to availability of time for conference calls, zoom meetings, virtual fittings, etc....
• E- mail, phone and video conference communication with NY/HK offices.

• Must have all related experience in product that includes, Wovens, Knits & Sweaters. Tailoring, Soft Dressing, Denim, Outerwear, Skins, Shirts & Bottoms.
• Degree or Certification in Apparel Manufacturing, Design or equivalent work experience preferred
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability manage competing priorities.
• A sense of urgency and attention to detail
• Responsible and accountable
• Ability to proactively problem solve
• Knowledge of 3D programs a must
• Illustrator sketching a must
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Browzwear, Lota, Gerber, PLM, PDM, Adobe Illustrator, MS Outlook, MS Excel, MS Word
• Position is required to be in office 2-3x a week
• #LI-CE1