The Ready To Wear Garment Technology Manager is responsible for the technical integrity, fit, construction and industrialisation readiness of RTW products, from development handover through to production approval. The role leads the Garment Technology function, ensuring that styles are technically accurate, fit for purpose and aligned with Phoebe Philo quality and construction standards, while supporting the delivery of the collection in line with the critical path. Working closely with Production, Product Development, Design, Atelier, Industrialisation & Quality, Raw Materials and suppliers, the Manager provides technical leadership, resolves complex product issues and ensures that technical information, standards and approvals are accurately communicated and maintained throughout the production process. The role also manages and develops the Garment Technology team, ensuring a high level of technical accuracy, consistency and accountability across all RTW categories.
Responsibilities
Garment Technology & Product Technical Ownership
- Own the technical integrity of RTW styles from development handover through to production approval, ensuring correct fit, grading, construction, functionality and technical data.
- Lead technical reviews and fittings, providing clear direction on pattern, grading, construction and finishing requirements.
- Own the RTW BOM process, ensuring the accuracy, completeness and technical integrity of all BOMs managed by the Garment Technology team.
- Ensure BOMs accurately reflect the approved product, including fabrics, trims, components, quantities and relevant technical requirements, and that any changes are correctly captured and communicated to the relevant teams and suppliers.
- Review and approve technical files, graded specifications, patterns and production information, ensuring all data is accurate and complete.
- Provide timely and practical technical solutions to complex product and manufacturing issues.
- Ensure technical standards are consistently applied across all RTW categories.
- Develop and maintain technical standards, guidelines and processes (the Handbook) to ensure consistency across the supplier base.
- Lead the technical aspects of fittings and pre-production approvals, ensuring styles are sealed in line with the critical path.
- Work closely with Industrialisation & Quality to ensure technical requirements are fully understood and achievable before bulk production.
- Partner with Production, Merchandising and Atelier on blocks, sizing, fit standards and construction.
- Identify technical and quality risks early and work with Industrialisation & Quality team and suppliers to validate and implement solutions.
Technical Files, Standards & Processes
- Own and maintain RTW production technical files, ensuring information is accurate, clear, consistent and adapted to supplier requirements where necessary.
- Develop and maintain technical standards, guidelines and processes (the Handbook) to ensure consistency across the supplier base.
- Ensure suppliers receive clear technical instructions and have the required information to execute pre-production production to Phoebe Philo standards.
- Support the continuous improvement of technical processes and product quality.
Supplier Technical Management
- Act as the key technical point of contact for suppliers, providing guidance and resolving technical queries throughout pre-production sampling.
- Build strong and professional relationships with suppliers while maintaining clear technical standards and accountability.
- Support supplier onboarding and assess technical capability where required.
- Visit suppliers and factories to resolve complex technical issues and support production quality.
- Review customer returns and production issues to identify root causes and support continuous improvement.
- Lead, support and develop the Garment Technology team, ensuring clear priorities, high standards and consistent execution.
- Manage and mentor the Garment Technologist, providing technical directly and on time.
Cross-functional Collaboration & Reporting
- Work closely with Design, Product Development, Atelier, Production, Industrialisation & Quality and suppliers to ensure effective flow of technical information.
- Maintain visibility of technical risks, approvals and outstanding actions against the critical path.
- Provide regular reporting on technical development, approvals, quality issues and risks.
- Review customer returns and production issues to identify root causes and support continuous improvement.
Measures of Success
- Technical accuracy & product quality: Consistent fit, construction and technical execution to Phoebe Philo standards.
- On-time approvals: Accurate, timely and consistent technical approvals and production readiness achieved in line with the critical path.
- Technical risk management: Early identification and resolution of technical and quality issues.
- Continuous improvement: Reduction in recurring technical issues, quality failures and customer returns attributable to technical execution.
Qualifications
- Significant experience in Garment Technology, preferably within luxury women's RTW.
- Strong technical expertise in garment fitting, grading, pattern cutting and construction.
- In-depth knowledge of RTW manufacturing, quality standards, trims and production processes.
- Strong experience working directly with luxury RTW suppliers and manufacturers.
- Proven experience delivering technical approvals to demanding deadlines.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience developing and mentoring technical teams.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence working cross-functionally with other departments and external suppliers.
- Strong fashion sensibility and understanding of the luxury customer, product and market.
- Proficient in Excel, experience with AirTable, PLM and Kaledo desirable.
- Fluent English and Italian, French would be a plus.
- Willingness to travel to suppliers and factories as required.
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