Job Description / Duties

Role: Senior Technical Developer (NOC 5243)
Salary: $60,000.00 - $125,000.00 /annum and Benefits (Extended Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) + may be eligible for bonuses and salary increases, if applicable
Hours: 45 hours/week, Full-Time, Permanent
Location of work: Aritzia Support Office (#118-611 Alexander St. Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E1)
Number of positions: 2

The Senior Technical Developer will support in delivering the highest quality product through manufacturing knowledge and proactive and collaborative communications with cross-functional teams and vendors. As a member of the Technical Development team, this role will be part of the team responsible for delivering the Creative Design vision and Aritzia’s customer expectations through the fit, construction and quality of our product.

1. TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
To determine the approach for developing product that fulfills the design vision
a) Fit Block Strategy – Support the team to develop Aritzia’s fit standards and to update manuals and documentation accordingly, ensuring consistent fit that delivers on the creative vision and our customers’ everyday luxury expectations while scaling to our business growth
b) Construction Strategy – Support the team to develop Aritzia’s construction standards and to update manuals and documentation accordingly, ensuring superior construction that delivers on the creative vision and our customers’ everyday luxury expectations while scaling to our business growth
c) Sampling Strategy – Support the team to develop a strategy for what samples we leverage and how and when we leverage them, ensuring maintenance and updates to manuals and documentation and scalability as our business grows
d) Innovation Strategy – Support the team to identify new ways to leverage fit and construction advancements, ensuring maintenance and updates to manuals and documentation and scalability as our business grows

2. FIT STANDARDS
To ensure that our product delivers a consistent and superior fit
a) Fit Measurements – Ensure effective and accurate fit measurements are incorporated into the fit process
b) Grading – Ensure product meets grading standards and manage exceptions effectively
c) Tolerances – Ensure product is delivered within the acceptable fit range and manage exceptions effectively
d) Fit Classifications – Ensure product is delivered within Aritzia fit classifications and manage exceptions effectively
e) Fit Block Library – Use and maintain Aritzia’s fit block library to ensure brand integrity and consistency

3. CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
To ensure that our product executes with best in class construction
a) Product Category – Ensure product fits within its designated category
b) Brand Standards – Ensure product meets Aritzia brand standards
c) Label Application – Ensure product meets Aritzia Label Application standards
d) Trim Standards – Ensure product meets Aritzia Trim standards

4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
To ensure that all fit samples execute the creative vision
a) Tech Pack – Ensure tech pack meets design standards and manage exceptions effectively
b) Prototype Sample – Ensure Prototype Sample meets design standards and manage exceptions effectively
c) PP Sample – Ensure PP Sample meets design standards and manage exceptions effectively
d) Top Sample – Ensure Top Sample meets design standards and manage exceptions effectively
e) Local Sample Development – Ensure Local Sample Development meets design standards and manage exceptions effectively

5. DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT
Work with the appropriate Business Support partners to seamlessly lead the day-to-day function of the
department in support of corporate objectives, while enabling progressive career development and an incredible
employee experience
a) People Management - Manage our people, maximizing their results through the 10 areas: Planning, Hiring, Onboarding, Evaluating, Developing, Engaging, Scheduling, Compensating, Transitioning, and Relating
b) Operations Management – Manage the day-to-day department priorities and net new initiatives by championing quality output, encouraging timely results, implementing a methodical approach, and setting up clear accountability across the team
c) Technology Management – Validate high quality data management, ensure current systems are maintained and continuously improved, and identify, evaluate, and drive opportunities to secure future investments in technology
d) Finance Management – Hold the team accountable to maximize the department's financial performance, strategically leading opportunities to drive revenue growth and capitalize on smart spending opportunities
e) Analytics Management – Leverage reporting to identify opportunities, predict future outcomes, and improve the department's and organization's performance

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added or modified as required throughout the course of employment.

Qualifications / Required Skills

The Senior Technical Developer will possess the following qualifications:

• Completion of a diploma or university degree in Fashion, Technical Design, or a related field, or the equivalent experience
• 5+ years of technical design and development experience working for a fashion apparel retailer
• Previous experience with broad range of women’s fashion
• Demonstrated technical ability in pattern interpretation, patternmaking, grading, block development
• Well versed in points of measurement and measuring techniques
• Experience conducting and leading fit sessions
• Knowledge of and experience with fit tests/evaluation and implementation of corrections
• Extensive knowledge of garment and fabric construction, fabrications and how they translate to garment, garment performance standards and manufacturing methods
• Previous experience working with overseas vendors to ensure design quality and fit intent
• Proficient working knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite and product lifecycle management systems
• Excellent sense of style, knowledge of fashion forecasting, keen eye for global trends, colours, fabrics and details
• Excellent communication & presentation skills – written and verbal
• Proven ability to work effectively with cross functional/departmental partners and teams
• Excellent time management skills, planning and organizational skills, problem solving skills

Salary: $60,000.00 - $125,000.00 /annum and Benefits (Extended Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) + may be eligible for bonuses and salary increases, if applicable

Contact Information

Apply Now: If you are interested in an exciting career in the fashion apparel industry, please forward your cover letter, resume and portfolio, if applicable (PDF or website link) to careers@aritzia.com. PLEASE NOTE THE JOB TITLE AND WEBSITE IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

NOTE: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. If you are not contacted for this position, please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for your interest in Aritzia!

Aritzia believes in providing an inclusive workplace where all individuals have opportunity to succeed. We are committed to doing so by providing accessible employment practices. Requests for accommodation due to a disability can be made at any stage of the recruitment process and applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known.

Employer Profile

Working at Aritzia: Aritzia’s Support Office is located on the edge of downtown Vancouver (611 Alexander St. Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E1), a city consistently recognized as one of the world’s best cities to live. Much like our boutiques, our workspace is modern and unique, and reflects our love of contemporary design. Our team consists of creative and dynamic industry professionals who love to design and promote Aritzia’s in-house brands, scope out the latest global trends, and continue learning and sharing their passion for fashion with our valued clientele – all in an environment that fosters long-term career planning and personal growth. Check us out at www.aritzia.com