Job Description
Job Title: Technical Designer Manager Department: PBS (Private Label & Brand Services) Reports to: Director, Product Development Location: In-Office. Zumiez Home Office, Lynnwood, WA Effective Date: 03/20/2026 If a crooked grainline, twisted side seam, or unresolved drag line makes your eye twitch, we should probably talk. We’re looking for a Technical Design Manager who believes the best product comes from strong technical thinking—and that the most meaningful leadership happens through teaching. This role is rooted in deep patternmaking expertise, a rigorous understanding of fit and construction, and a genuine desire to help others see, understand, and solve problems more clearly. This position is for someone who leads by developing people. You enjoy breaking down complex fit challenges, explaining the why behind pattern decisions, and helping others sharpen their eye and instincts. You don’t just fix issues—you turn them into learning moments, building confidence and capability across the team. Balance, pitch, proportion, and construction aren’t just tools you use; they’re principles you actively teach. You’ll set the standard for how technical problems are approached and resolved, modeling clear thinking, curiosity, and accountability. Through hands‑on guidance, feedback, and shared problem‑solving, you’ll help elevate both individual skill sets and collective output—season over season. This role prioritizes learning as a driver of quality, consistency, and growth. You’ll partner closely with Design, Product Development and Production; using education and clarity to align teams and move product forward. Zumiez has ambitious goals for Technical Design, and we’re building a team where teaching, learning, and craft are inseparable. This is where you come in. Zumiez and Product and Brand Services (PBS) Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories, skateboards, and snowboards for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art, and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. Headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, Zumiez operates over 700 stores in North America, Europe, and Australia. We operate under Zumiez in North America, Blue Tomato in Europe, and Fast Times in Australia. The Zumiez Product & Brand Services team manages multiple owned and licensed brands across diverse product categories, including men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and snow/skate hard goods. Position Summary The Technical Design Manager leads the technical design function for apparel, overseeing fit execution from development through bulk production while ensuring garments meet Zumiez’s standards for quality, construction, and performance. This role also sets the standard for how fittings are prepared, conducted, and resolved across the team—ensuring that fit issues are identified quickly and corrected at the pattern level with clear technical direction. This role drives opportunity to leverage data and technical insight to improve consistency, refine standards, balance workload, and enhance the overall customer experience. A core component of the position is leadership in patternmaking and CLO3D development. The Technical Design Manager drives best practices in both digital and physical pattern development, ensuring accurate fit, efficient workflows, and strong alignment between design intent and manufacturing product. Leading a team of technical designers, this position is responsible for advancing their expertise through strong mentorship, hands-on leadership, and a culture of continuous learning. Success in this role requires both deep technical knowledge and the ability to develop others—guiding the team in refining their craft while consistently elevating the quality and fit of our product. Key Duties and Responsibilities Technical Design Leadership: Lead the technical design function from development through bulk production, ensuring garments meet Zumiez standards for fit, construction, quality, and manufacturability. Strategic Partnership: Serve as a member of the Product and Brand Services leadership team, collaborating with department leaders to support strategic initiatives and align technical design practices with broader business goals. Team Leadership & Development: Manage, coach, and mentor technical designers, supporting onboarding, career development, and continuous skill advancement. Foster a culture of learning and craft excellence across the team. Participation in company events as requiredin a student or teacher role capacity. Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner closely with Design, Product Development, Production,Compliance and Sourcing teams to ensure alignment on fit, construction, costing, timelines, and product q