Lead Technical Developer- Internal Development and Innovation

Inspired by Hard Work

At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission— We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products —we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create.

Position Details Title: Lead Technical Designer- Internal Development and Innovation Department: Supply Chain Services- Internal Development Reports to: Sr. Manager, Internal Product Development and Innovation Location: Irvine, Kentucky or Dearborn, MI Job Classification: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Lead Technical Developer takes technical product details to the next level of innovation and quality to support the internal manufacturing operations. This role is accountable to ensure any requests are accepted, scoped, balanced, and acted upon in a timely manner. This position is responsible for balancing the Technical Design aspects of the product, coupled with the viable integration with an engineering focus of scalability and effective outcomes. This incorporates costing, quality limitations and expectations, style development inputs, and technical support of the engineering teams. The Lead Technical Developer builds and fosters strong collaborative relationships with internal/external partners, and cross functional teams whilst fostering a sense of quality excellence.

Associate Responsibilities

• Manage the Technical Development activities for all products that are produced within the internal manufacturing factories.
• Work with Global TD + PD category teams to ensure consistencies between all product and mainline Carhartt product. This includes fit, function, construction and details.
• Align any CCS/product with the vision and strategic plans provided by the Technical Design Director, Corporate Strategies, and Global Product Initiatives.
• Accountable for hind-sighting each Crafted Series/special project and paying forward any learnings.
• Work to align and expand overall detailed technical information that will help promote in depth specifics that support the needs of our contractors, engineering and quality.
• Foster Relationship with cross functional peers, associates and leaders.
• Ensure prioritization of initiatives and operate with a sense of urgency.
• Create technical drawings (Quality Specifications & Visual Depictions of Part Details) at the sewing operation level
• Create & maintain technical drawing library to house standard operations to support and streamline future product development activities. PLM software knowledge preferred, or comparable drawing software
• Partner with Senior Manager, Director of Business Development, and Quality to ensure team alignment and linkage to all strategic and tactical plans.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel & Textile Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience, plus a minimum of 2 years’ individual leadership experience: examples include, but not limited to: leading projects, leading company initiatives, leading in creation of and/or roll out of new processes, etc.
• Apparel, Retail, or Consumer Products industry.
• Project management skills preferred
• Strong technical design development and apparel industry background; the successful candidate will be a leader in technical design, development and merchandising with a focus on innovation and quality.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Office environment
• Travel up to 30% domestic and/or internationally
• Moderate lifting, up to 20 lbs.
• This position has a Hybrid location: Associate will work on-site regularly as needed for work activities.
• Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.

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This position offers a comprehensive suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance for associates and their dependents. In addition to healthcare coverage, Carhartt provides short-term and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, an employee assistance program, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions. Employees can also benefit from paid time off and designated paid holidays.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All associates are required to understand and act in accordance with the Carhartt Core Values. Carhartt reserves the right to change, modify, suspend, interpret or cancel in whole or in any part, the job duties outlined above at any time and without advance notice to the employee.