Garment Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Garment Technician is the technical anchor of the product creation process. You will translate the Design team's vision into detailed technical specifications, manage the entire sample fitting process, and communicate precise instructions to our global manufacturing partners. Your expertise will ensure that all apparel is produced to the highest standards of quality, fit, and construction, while adhering to development timelines and cost targets. This role is critical in mitigating production risks and delivering a superior product to our customers.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Technical Designer
Pattern Maker's Assistant
Apparel Quality Control Inspector

Advancement To:

Senior Garment Technician
Technical Design Manager
Product Development Manager

Lateral Moves:

Product Developer
Sourcing Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, manage, and meticulously maintain comprehensive technical packages (tech packs) from initial design hand-off through to bulk production approval, including detailed construction diagrams, bills of materials (BOMs), and measurement specifications.
Spearhead and lead live model or form fit sessions with cross-functional partners (Design, Merchandising, Production) to assess garment fit, balance, and overall aesthetic.
Translate fit session outcomes into clear, concise, and actionable fit comments, utilizing photos, technical sketches, and pattern corrections to communicate required adjustments to domestic and overseas vendors.
Analyze and evaluate all submitted samples (proto, fit, pre-production, and top-of-production) against technical specifications, ensuring adherence to fit, measurement, and construction standards.
Establish and enforce brand-specific grade rules and sizing standards across all product categories, ensuring consistent fit and scaling across the entire size range.
Proactively identify and resolve potential production, quality, and costing issues by conducting risk assessments on new designs and materials prior to sampling.
Collaborate closely with the Design team to ensure their creative vision is technically feasible and can be executed within target cost parameters and manufacturing capabilities.
Manage the approval process for all raw materials, including lab dips, fabric quality submissions, strike-offs, and trims, ensuring color and quality consistency.
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for factory partners, building strong relationships and fostering clear, effective communication to minimize errors and delays.
Maintain a critical path calendar for the technical design process, tracking sample status and ensuring all development milestones are met to support on-time deliveries.
Develop and maintain a library of core body blocks and fit standards to streamline development and ensure consistency across seasons and product lines.
Engineer garment construction to achieve desired aesthetics while meeting or improving upon target cost margins, suggesting alternative construction methods or materials where appropriate.
Create detailed technical sketches and construction callouts using Adobe Illustrator to visually explain complex garment details and sewing techniques.
Review and approve final graded specifications before bulk production release, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all sizes.
Investigate and analyze customer returns data related to fit and quality, providing actionable feedback to the design and production teams to drive continuous improvement.
Ensure all products comply with relevant legal and safety standards, such as CPSIA testing and labeling regulations, and maintain appropriate documentation.
Train and mentor junior team members, sharing technical expertise and knowledge of brand standards and processes.
Maintain and update all technical information and communication records within the company’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
Travel to manufacturing facilities (as needed) to oversee production start-up, conduct in-line quality inspections, and provide on-site technical support to resolve issues.
Research and stay current with innovative garment construction techniques, new technologies (e.g., 3D fitting), and machinery to drive efficiency and product excellence.
Partner with the Quality Assurance team to establish and document final product quality standards and inspection protocols for finished goods.
Measure garment samples with precision and compare them against spec sheets, identifying any discrepancies and determining the root cause for correction.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to garment specifications and quality metrics.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap for technical design documentation.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for PLM systems.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the product development team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM, BlueCherry).
Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed technical sketches and callouts.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel for creating spec sheets and managing data.
Deep understanding of garment construction, sewing techniques, and manufacturing processes.
Expertise in pattern making, grading, and the ability to articulate pattern corrections.
Strong knowledge of textiles, trims, and their performance characteristics.
Experience with 3D fitting software (e.g., CLO 3D, Browzwear) is a significant plus.
Ability to accurately measure garments and understand tolerance levels.

Soft Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for clear correspondence with global partners.
Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality and accuracy.
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities to troubleshoot technical issues effectively.
Excellent organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines.
A collaborative and team-oriented mindset with the ability to build relationships with cross-functional teams.
High degree of adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fashion Design
Apparel Production
Technical Design
Textile Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years

Preferred:

5+ years of direct experience in a technical design or garment technician role within a corporate apparel environment, with specific experience in the relevant product category (e.g., knitwear, wovens, outerwear).