Director, Technical Design: Women's

Wal-Mart•Bentonville, AR

36d•$130,000 - $312,000

About The Position

At Walmart, our mission is to help people save money so they can live better. This purpose drives every decision we make-from responsible sourcing to sustainability and beyond. As a Director of Technical Design, you will set the strategy for fit and technical excellence across multiple product categories, ensuring that Walmart delivers best-in-class quality, performance, and customer experience at scale. We are seeking a visionary leader with deep technical expertise and a proven ability to influence enterprise-wide initiatives. This role will lead a team of technical design professionals, drive innovation in fit and construction, and partner cross-functionally to shape the future of Walmart's apparel business. What You'll Bring: Strategic Fit Leadership Define and implement Walmart's global fit strategy across multiple categories, ensuring consistency, scalability, and alignment with brand positioning and customer expectations. Champion innovation in fit technology, leveraging 3D, AI, and data-driven insights to optimize product development and reduce time-to-market. Technical Excellence Establish and maintain enterprise-wide fit and block libraries, grading standards, and technical guidelines to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Drive adoption of advanced 2D/3D pattern-making tools and digital workflows across teams and vendor partners. Cultivates an environment where associates respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all programs and practices; developing consequences for violations or non-compliance; and supporting the Open-Door Policy. Develops and leverages internal and external partnerships and networks to maximize the achievement of business Customer-Centric Product Integrity Lead a data-driven approach to fit and quality, using customer insights, returns analysis, and predictive analytics to inform design and development decisions. Oversee fit specific wear testing programs and post-purchase evaluations to continuously improve product performance and customer satisfaction. Cross-Functional Influence & Collaboration Partner with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Merchandising leadership to align technical strategies with business objectives and seasonal assortments. Serve as the technical authority in executive-level discussions, influencing decisions that impact product quality, cost, and speed. Team Leadership & Development Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing technical design team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning. Develop training programs and best practices to elevate technical capabilities across the organization and vendor base. Operational Excellence & Governance Own technical design governance, ensuring compliance with Walmart's quality standards, sustainability goals, and regulatory requirements. Drive process optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce sample iterations, and enhance vendor collaboration. You'll Thrive in This Role If You: Are a strategic thinker who can translate customer insights and business goals into technical solutions. Excel at influencing senior stakeholders and driving change across complex, matrixed organizations. Are passionate about innovation, technology, and leveraging data to improve product performance. Have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams. Embrace agile ways of working and a test-and-learn mindset.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Textiles , Design, or related field and 5 years' experience in technical design, product development, or related area OR 7 years' experience in technical design, product development, or related area.
3 years' supervisory experience.

Nice To Haves

12+ years of experience in technical design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing multiple categories.
Expertise in fit, pattern-making, grading, and apparel construction across diverse product types.
Advanced proficiency in PLM systems, 3D designs tools, and digital product development technologies.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance technical integrity, cost, and speed-to-market.
Experience influencing enterprise-level strategies and collaborating with senior leadership.
Technical expertise across multiple women categories preferred, experience with circularity, fabric and innovation initiatives a plus
Apparel Manufacturing
Product Development
Working on cross-functional teams or projects
Masters
Masters: Design

Responsibilities

Define and implement Walmart's global fit strategy across multiple categories, ensuring consistency, scalability, and alignment with brand positioning and customer expectations.
Champion innovation in fit technology, leveraging 3D, AI, and data-driven insights to optimize product development and reduce time-to-market.
Establish and maintain enterprise-wide fit and block libraries, grading standards, and technical guidelines to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Drive adoption of advanced 2D/3D pattern-making tools and digital workflows across teams and vendor partners.
Cultivates an environment where associates respect and adhere to company standards of integrity and ethics by integrating these values into all programs and practices; developing consequences for violations or non-compliance; and supporting the Open-Door Policy.
Develops and leverages internal and external partnerships and networks to maximize the achievement of business
Lead a data-driven approach to fit and quality, using customer insights, returns analysis, and predictive analytics to inform design and development decisions.
Oversee fit specific wear testing programs and post-purchase evaluations to continuously improve product performance and customer satisfaction.
Partner with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Merchandising leadership to align technical strategies with business objectives and seasonal assortments.
Serve as the technical authority in executive-level discussions, influencing decisions that impact product quality, cost, and speed.
Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing technical design team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
Develop training programs and best practices to elevate technical capabilities across the organization and vendor base.
Own technical design governance, ensuring compliance with Walmart's quality standards, sustainability goals, and regulatory requirements.
Drive process optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce sample iterations, and enhance vendor collaboration.

Benefits

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment.
It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.
For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices.
Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities.
Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates.
Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.