Designer II

Newell Brands is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products that touch the lives of people where they live, learn, work and play.

We are committed to building consumer and commercial brands that matter while leveraging the benefits of being one company : shared expertise, operating efficiencies, and a culture of innovation.

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This is a job summary, which includes essential job duties of this position. More specific information regarding duties.

The Technical Designer ll is accountable for the commercialization of Newell Brands Technical Apparel (NBTA) products within an assigned category / product line in accordance with established development processes, established quality standards and the company timeline.

NBTA is a division of Newell Brands (NYSE : NWL), a globally recognized designer, developer, marketer and retailer of high-performance technical apparel and equipment with a portfolio of brands that includes Marmot and ExOfficio.

The Technical Designer ll manages aspects of the development process such as the specification package and development of samples.

This position works with cross-functional teams throughout the creative process of the product.

Responsibilities :

Creates and maintains product specification packages using Technical Apparel (Marmot / ExO) approved methodology. Interfaces with Design Department to verify details of designs.

Works with other departments such as Sourcing, Asia QA, etc. (in house and offshore) to provide direction on the assigned category / product line.

• Evaluates and manages approved fits consistency following Newell published fit descriptions.
• Implements standards of approved methodology for specificity of fits and / or product end use (Gore, Insect Shield, Underwear fitting, Insulated Technology, Climbing).
• Maintains development documents including specification packages, development-tracking reports, and other documents as required.

Uses Adobe Illustrator to develop and revise design documentation. Excel is the software base used for spec package development and maintenance.

• Collaborates with design on best fit construction details for assigned category and manages detail sketch library.
• Evaluates tracking reports and analyzes priority to match order placement, provides recommendations and follows through in a timely manner.
• Works closely with Technical Design Manager to implement corrective action plans to address deviations from calendar's TD tasks.
• Manages garment costing process and tactical problem-solving evaluation from pre-costing estimates to first costs to final costs as it applies to construction / cm, trims and consumption to achieve targeted goals.
• Partners with all functional areas - CM, Design, Sourcing - to obtain and review pre-cost, first cost, final cost estimates and ensure that products meet pricing targets and gross margin goals.
• Approves and communicates specifications - communicates with contractors, technical design and materials staff to develop samples through commercial viability and complete production approval.

Communicates with contractors to clarify specifications and / or detail changes during the development process. Serves as secondary contact once lines are in production, working with Sourcing, Design, and Production colleagues.

• Demonstrates high degree of communication skill and problem resolution based on external and internal customer capabilities.
• Organizes and maintains each round of samples for assigned product categories from 1st counter sample through sales samples (SMS), size runs, pre-production samples (PP), and top of production sample (TOP).
• Produces a moderate to high volume of work output while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Able to manage moderately to highly complex product categories.
• Actively manages professional development.

Product Fit Approvals :

• Drives apparel fit sessions to maintain consistency and quality of fit across the brand categories from season to season.
• Reviews and corrects pattern fits and balance issues following Newell Brand approved methodology collaborating with Senior Technical Designers.
• Collaborates with Designer and Category Manager in fit sessions where necessary, primarily to ensure design lines and end use aspects are considered in overall product category fit scheme.
• Manages and completes projects end to end : design standards, records and library of sketches, samples availability and accuracy.
• Ensures fabrications and designs are good matches, sustains development timeframes based upon industry best practices and adheres to timelines and deliverables.
• With Senior Technical Designer and Pattern Maker works to improve fit through pattern evaluation, using patterning software as well as establishing fit blocks.
• Maintains pattern library : collects, keeps records up to date, shares with factories for ease of development.
• Uses Gerber and Optitex software to troubleshoot pattern and fit concerns.
• Effectively and seamlessly works with a wide variety of materials, from active next to body fabrics to layering systems.

Key Qualifications :

• University or four-year college degree in fashion design or equivalent industry experience.
• A minimum of 4-6 years of experience in apparel technical design and various phases of development.
• Practical knowledge of related functions including apparel design, product development, customer service, wholesale sales, merchandising, inventory planning and distribution.
• Pattern making and software knowledge.
• Knowledge of costing as it relates to markers, construction techniques, and components.
• Practical knowledge of product application and functionality preferred.
• A passion for the Outdoor Industry and Travel / Adventure a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate in multicultural environments where English is limited.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, colleagues, and vendors.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven thinking; must apply algebra and geometry concepts.
• Calculation of proportions and percentages of a product are critical; must be able to calculate measurements such as length of trims for various sizes and compare previous season to current season fabric usages for margin decreases or maintenance.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft programs; intermediate Microsoft Excel skills required.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required.
• Knowledge of database software preferred.
• Highly driven, self-motivated and capable of working without significant supervision.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Ability to manage and lead change.
• Flexible nature with the ability to react quickly and sometimes creatively to business needs.
• Team player.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• A sense of humor.
• Able to travel internationally and domestically up to 10% of the year.

Salary band : $90,700 - 110,850

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