Senior Technical Apparel Developer

About Bluesmiths

Bluesmiths makes award-winning, ocean-inspired sports and lifestyle apparel. Founded in 2010 on Maui, Hawaii, our core product principles have not changed: Build the hardest working, most versatile gear for those of us who live in and around the ocean. At Bluesmiths we are driven by real innovation & problem solving, best-in-class fabrics, timeless styling and uncompromising manufacturing standards. As of fall 2024, we are a 100% direct-to-consumer brand. Learn more at bluesmiths.com.

What we are looking for: 

A motivated Senior Technical Apparel Developer with an interest in Product Management to spearhead the expansion of our product line. 

As a crucial member of a small, high-impact team you will be immersed in managing existing styles and developing new styles, whilst reporting directly to the founder. Additionally, you will coordinate production with garment factories on an FOB program, or a hybrid CMT/FOB program (pending the styles) which may include ordering and managing key fabrics and trims.

Key Responsibilities: 

This is a unique position in a small but fast growing business. The wide range of responsibilities listed below is reflective of the size of the company and the need to cover multiple areas. We are confident that an experienced technical developer with a desire to support the management of product will be able to run this comfortably.

• Manage existing styles, making appropriate in-line color and development changes, as needed.
• Spearhead the development of new styles from concept through production in collaboration with the founder, the athlete team and the wider network of designers and advisors. 
• Develop accessories which includes collaborations with other brands, managing printing on tees, embroideries on caps etc.
• Create and maintain all tech packs (graded dimensional specifications, tech drawings, bills of materials, construction notes etc).
• Create and maintain all development records and style files, production standards, measuring guides, grade rules, sourcing information, swatch library etc.
• Establish and maintain costing sheets, fabric and trim consumptions per style, MOQs per order, per color, ensuring optimization of fabric and trims use.
• Manage lab dips process from request to comments, to approval (fabric and trims)
• Manage proto and sampling process (requests, manage, receive, tag, measure, evaluate and record comments for feedback to factory) for development samples and pre production samples. Where relevant, engage the test team & manage feedback.
• Run fit sessions, providing evaluation and feedback to the factory as needed 
• Source fabric and trims working with the founder, Bluesmiths’ network and your own. 
• Attend trade shows (mainly Portland Functional Fabric Fair) for sourcing of fabrics and trims, building relationships with existing suppliers and developing new ones. 
• Manage the development and production calendars, ensuring on time delivery. Work hands-on with the founder, advisory team and external contractors as needed to keep developments on track. 
• Act as primary contact with factory and suppliers  
• Manage production process, maintaining WIP reports & highlighting issues as they arise. 
• Travel overseas to factories from time to time, as necessary. 
• Manage key fabrics and trims with factories and mills, confirming inventory levels, drafting POs and preparing credits for fabrics used in production.
• Fabric testing with third party testing labs, as well as with mills.  
• Manage quality control, including arranging third party visits or trips to factories as needed.
• Assist ecommerce team regarding product related questions/issues.
• Stay informed of market development and opportunities to improve the competitiveness of the Bluesmiths brand.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical apparel development
• Experience working with overseas factories required.
• Experience with knits and wovens required.
• Experience and knowledge of technical garment construction and the specific needlework relevant to outerwear, activewear and swimwear. Experience with seam sealing and bonding is ideal.
• Experience managing fit is required.
• Drivers license required.

What you bring to Bluesmiths (Skills / Job Requirements):

• A forward thinker with a passion for fabric and desire to develop cutting-edge apparel.
• You will draw on your own knowledge, experiences and network, along with your interest in ocean sports and technical apparel to develop innovative product solutions.
• A solid working knowledge of the apparel business calendar and lead times
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• A team player, able to operate independently with minimal management.
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-up and time management skills.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with consequential schedules and deadlines.
• Professional grade command of Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator. 
• Professional Microsoft Excel knowledge and commercial numeracy required.
• Experience of a PLM is ideal (e.g. Backbone).
• Experience with a project manager like Asana or Mondays is looked upon favorably.
• Understanding of digital pattern-making is a plus. Ability to cut & sew fabric-test samples on Maui is looked upon favorably, but not in any way required.

Summary:

Location: Kula, Hawaii (Remote work will only be considered for exceptional technical apparel developers).

Hours: Full time (Significant part time will be considered only if Bluesmiths is your main focus)

Pay: DOE (Depends on experience) Guide range $60-$90k.

Benefits: Healthcare, Paid time off, Employee discounts

Please email jobs@bluesmiths.com with the following information for consideration- 

1. Resume
2. Salary requirements + salary history
3. Portfolio - what you have done / made / managed. (If not covered in your resume.)
4. Why do you want to work for Bluesmiths?
5. Do you do any watersports?
6. Are you on Maui or in Hawaii now? If you are not, have you spent much time in Hawaii?
7. When could you start work?