Lead Technical Designer

The Lead Technical Designer manages a team of individual contributors and one or more product categories. These product categories and centers of excellence are  defined and focused in the product pillar of the Expressway Forward strategy.  They also lead vendor calibration and support the VP with special projects.  A Lead Technical Designer demonstrates master-level product development, risk mitigation, time management, planning, organization, fitting, coaching, influencing skills as well as strong people leader skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees and manages a defined strategic product category(s) aligned to the Long Range Plan (LRP) and ExpressWay Forward strategy.
• Model Brand Values & Express Core Competencies – Accountable, Collaborative, Courageous, Results Driven.
• Uphold & refresh department engineering standards, processes & tools.
• Conduct research & development to drive innovation, block updates & achieve department goals.
• Train new vendor & factory technical partners.
• Calibrate & certify strategic global partners to function as a member of the Express TD team.
• Establish & approve garment specifications from concept through to production approval. Evaluate & mitigate risk at each stage.  Influence product design & engineering to meet fit, function, price & delivery goals.  Determine when each product is ready for production.
• Ensure vendors receive only production viable prototype requests.
• Oversee sample tracking & fit planning.
• Lead fit sessions, guide merchants & designers and drive alignment to finalize action plans.
• Utilize Accumark, Creative Cloud, Yuniue & 3D to expedite accurate product results & train others to utilize these systems.
• Ensure Express owned Tech packs (including labeling, marketing, and packing requirements) are compliant with all established business & department standards.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years experience in Technical Design
• Managed multiple product categories (knits, wovens, tops, bottoms, etc)
• Proficient in Yunique or similar PLM system; Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud; Accumark 10.3; Outlook; Excel; Word
• Preferred System Proficiency: 3D (CLO or Browzwear); Photoshop

CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Proven ability to lead and influence through clear concise communication and consistent actions in a cross-functional team environment
• Successfully trained and mentored/managed others
• Successfully functioned as a role model for adapting to change, driving results, executional excellence, taking initiative, resolving conflict
• Has leveraged many different resources to completing and meeting deadlines

Benefits and Compensation:

Express offers a range of benefits to help protect full-time associates health and long-term financial security including:

• Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with Company match
• Merchandise discount
• Paid Time Off
• Parental leave for new moms and dads

Part-time associates may be eligible to receive paid sick leave, public health emergency leave and to participate in the 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with Company match. Additionally, part-time associates are eligible to receive a merchandise discount, and to choose voluntary benefits through YouDecide. Full-time associates may be eligible to participate in our incentive plan.

Actual compensation offered is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, work location, education, relevant skills and experience of the candidate.

An equal opportunity employer, Express does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. Express only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. Express is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a listed job position, please call 1-800-964-9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to AssociateRelations@Express.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that Express does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, Express will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.