Technical Design Manager

About the job

OOBE is an apparel design company based in Greenville, South Carolina, specializing in custom branded apparel programs and elevated everyday performance apparel. For more than two decades, we've partnered with some of the world's most respected brands to design, develop, and deliver thoughtfully crafted apparel that reflects their identity and supports their people. Our team is driven by creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to exceptional quality.

OOBE, a division of Workwear Outfitters , is a leading provider of work apparel and footwear serving industries including manufacturing, automotive, hospitality, government, food service, utilities, and more. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Workwear Outfitters employs over 5,800 people worldwide.

The Workwear Outfitters family includes trusted brands such as Red Kap®, Bulwark®, Image Authority®, Kodiak®, Terra®, Liberty®, Work Authority®, Workrite® Fire Service, Chef Designs®, Horace Small®, Criticore®, and OOBE®. The company is also the exclusive licensee for Dickies® apparel in the B2B channel.

Our Purpose: We champion and empower workers who make our world work better.

• Benefits
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• And many additional employee benefits

What You Will Do as a Technical Design Manager: The Technical Design Manager oversees technical product development from concept through approval, including tech pack creation, design development, product approval, sample library organization, and trend forecasting to ensure brand consistency, product quality, and market relevance.

• How You Will Make a Difference:
• Techpack and Final Product Approval
• Create, maintain and update tech pack including technical sketches, grade rules and sewing construction detail.
• Utilize PLM or Excel to create tech packs.
• Conduct fit session and communicate fit, construction and trim detail changes to overseas offices and clients.
• Collaborate with design to ensure fabrications, trims, labeling and packaging are appropriate for specified designs.
• Address and resolve quality control and quality assurance issues.

• Fit Samples and Fit Processes
• Maintain approved products and archive samples as required.
• Establish quality standards for all designs.

• Design, Development and Trend Forecasting – Coordinate w/ Design Team
• Research market trends, innovations in fabric technology, styling, and construction methods to ensure program is aligned with set market objectives.
• Monitor wear test and focus groups and provide insight as to how results may affect product specifications and future line development.

• Operational Ownership & Program Support:
• Drive technical design strategy aligned with brand standards, client requirements, and business objectives.
• Establish and continuously improve technical design process, SOPs, and best practices across product categories.
• Lead vendor and factory technical alignment, ensuring clear standards for fit, construction, and quality expectations.
• Support client presentations and program onboarding my providing technical expertise on fit, construction, and product feasibility.

• Systems & Process Improvement:
• Champion PLM utilization, process, and data integrity across technical design workflows.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Technical Designers, providing clear direction, feedback, and performance management.
• Analyze fit, wear test, and quality data to drive continuous product improvements.

• Technical Design Leadership & Team Development:
• Establish team priorities, allocate workload, and ensure deadlines are met across programs.
• Provide coaching on fit, construction, and technical problem-solving to elevate team capabilities.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented team environment aligned with OOBE values.

• Skills for Success:
• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years of experience in fashion and technical design
• Garment construction knowledge.
• Knowledge of flat pattern or CAD pattern making.
• A trained eye for proportion and balance as well as aesthetic detail.
• Communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Effective public speaking, phone/email communication and presentation skills
• Ability to prioritize activities and multi-task within a fast-paced office environment.
• Proactive in problem solving and resolution oriented.
• Ability to work in a cross functional team environment.
• Ability to self-manage/work independently.
• Proficiency in computer skills: Adobe Illustrator, Outlook, Excel, Word, PLM.
• Understands OOBE Purpose & Values and is willing to be accountable to them

This role is 4 days onsite in Greenville, SC