Technical Designer

Workwear Outfitters is the world’s workwear authority, and leading manufacturer of innovative work apparel and footwear. We serve the workers who dedicate their lives to making our world work better. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the company employs more than 5,800 people in facilities spanning the globe.

The Workwear Outfitters family includes trusted brands such as Red Kap®, Bulwark®, Image Authority®, Kodiak®, Terra®, Liberty®, Work Authority®, Workrite® Fire Service, Chef Designs®, Horace Small®, Criticore®, and OOBE®. Workwear Outfitters is also the exclusive licensee for Dickies® apparel in the B2B channel.

Vision Statement: To be the ultimate choice for outfitting every worker, everywhere.

Our Purpose: We champion and empower workers who make our world work better.

What You Will Do as a Technical Designer: Interpret the product design intent & provide accurate specs / sketches / construction details / bills of materials / 3D assets for product development. This includes governing product definition, cross-functional collaboration with merchandising, product development, manufacturing, quality and pattern teams to finalize fabric and trim selection, evaluate fit and provide necessary input for production facilities to ensure accurate product within targeted costs.  

How You Will Make a Difference:

• Interpret & translate designer’s concepts into a technical package for manufacturing to produce efficiently & to ensure the highest quality standards for development and production and retention: accurate specs / sketches / construction details / renderings. 
• Expert advisor to product managers and designers: measurements, fit, construction improvements, manufacturing and quality implications, product engineering. 

• Make judgements on where manufacturing and quality discrepancies might arise and establish alternatives that minimize risk. 

• Evolve the Bill of Materials and tech pack utility across product categories & systems: label requirements, component usage and waste calculations by engineering standards, trade agreement and tariff compliance, WWOF inter-system combinations and iterations, protective certifications, location capabilities. 
• Advance fittings on live model or mannequin and lead design direction on 3D avatar. 

• Influence partners: cost-effective design direction, efficient manufacturing processes based on collaboration with engineers and onsite analysis, clear communication (visual, written, verbal). 

• Deliver brand-level technical authority across complex garment categories in virtual/3D design applications and legacy and PLM systems to establish standards and guide decisions. 
• Promote and control Tech Pack and Bill of Material requirements for specific vendors by communicating with global & factory partners & ensuring careful quality audit of previous production compared to new samples. 
• Lead product relocation execution related to Tech Pack data through careful comparison and assessment of vendor capabilities. 
• Coach and develop technical capability across the team while leading high-impact projects that advance strategic initiatives, innovation, and organizational progress. 
• Identify and drive process improvements as the central lead for complex projects across categories: creates the plan, understands the data relationships and impact of change, establishes scalable standards, and validates effectiveness across categories and systems and departments. 

Skills for Success:

• Bachelor's degree in apparel manufacturing, product development or apparel design related field 
• 3-5 years work experience as a Technical Designer 

• Knowledge of workwear construction is highly preferred 

• Software experience in 3D, Browzwear preferred 

• Adobe Creative Suite 

• Excellent computer skills 

• Strong Technical Drawing and Math skills 

• Experience with the following: PLM system, Stride/WebPDM, Accumark/Gerber  

• In depth knowledge of fabric, apparel, materials, construction and fit 

• Must have pattern fit experience as well as understanding of basic apparel production processes 

• Strong communication skills, verbal and written and visual, experience communicating with overseas factories preferred. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail 

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• And many additional employee benefits