Senior Manager, Technical Design

kate spade new york•New York, NY

4d•$105,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Manager of Technical Design is responsible for leading the technical development and execution of RTW product from concept through final fit approval. This role partners closely with Design, Product Development, Raw Materials, and regional teams to ensure fit, construction, quality, and brand standards are consistently achieved across categories. The Sr. Manager also drives team performance, process improvements, and technical excellence throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in Technical Design, including people management; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
Strong knowledge of pattern making, garment construction, fit, sizing, and grading
Experience managing product development through overseas production
Proven experience managing or developing team members

Nice To Haves

3D Design experience preferred (e.g., Clo3D)

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the Technical Design team across RTW categories, ensuring strong execution and alignment with business priorities
Directly manage and develop Technical Designs, including performance management, coaching, and goal setting
Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Design, Product Development, Raw Materials, and regional RTW teams
Ensure key calendar milestones and deliverables are met
Oversee and complete tech packs from proto development through fit approval
Partner with regional teams for PPS approval and production readiness
Ensure brand aesthetic and fit intent are maintained throughout the approval process
Own and maintain established brand fit, sizing, grading, and construction standards
Ensure consistency and accuracy of fit across product categories and seasons
Troubleshoot pattern and garment construction issues with internal and external partners
Identify opportunities to improve garment construction, fit, and technical processes
Lead fit sessions and own fit approval for assigned categories, serving as an escalation point for complex issues
Support fit session scheduling and seasonal workflow management
Act as a key cross-functional leader, aligning Design, Product Development, and Sourcing to ensure product integrity, quality, and on-time delivery
Act as a technical liaison between internal teams and overseas factories to collaboratively solve technical and production challenges
Partner with factory technical teams to support continuous improvement initiatives
Drive and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency, scalability and technical execution: including Clo Set Implementation and or AI tools.
Lead seasonal quality and risk management efforts with RM and cross-functional partners to proactively mitigate product risks