Manager, Technical Design – Walmart Kids Apparel

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Technical Designers supporting multiple Walmart Kids apparel categories.
• Allocate workload, prioritize seasonal deliverables, and ensure deadlines are consistently achieved.
• Establish technical design standards, best practices, and process improvements across the department.
• Coach team members through fit challenges, construction issues, and technical problem-solving.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development.
• Foster collaboration and accountability within the Technical Design team and across cross-functional partners.

Technical Design

• Oversee the creation and approval of garment specifications for costing, sampling, and production.
• Review and approve vendor-ready tech packs, including construction details, grading, measurement specifications, sketches, and Bill of Materials.
• Lead fit strategy and ensure consistency across all Walmart Kids programs.
• Conduct and oversee fit sessions while providing clear, detailed, and actionable fit comments.
• Ensure garments meet Walmart quality standards, customer expectations, and children's fit requirements.
• Partner with factories to resolve technical issues throughout development and production.
• Maintain fit consistency, construction integrity, and product quality across multiple seasons and classifications.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Collaborate closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Production, and Quality teams throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support overseas vendors by providing timely technical direction and troubleshooting construction challenges.
• Participate in seasonal milestone meetings, daily handoffs, and cross-functional development meetings.
• Communicate technical priorities and risks to leadership while proactively identifying solutions.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve speed-to-market.
• Develop standardized fit blocks, grading practices, and construction guidelines.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency and product consistency.
• Ensure adherence to Walmart compliance requirements and seasonal calendar milestones.