About this Global Technical Lead role at Levi Strauss & Co.
You're an original. So are we. We're a company of people who like to forge our own path. We invented the blue jean in 1873, and we reinvented khaki pants in 1986. We work to build sustainability into everything we do. Our brands stand for freedom and self-expression around the world. Where we lead, others follow. For more than 160 years, we've used the strength of our brands to lead with our values and make an outsized impact on the world. We employ more than 15,000 people globally to support our great brands: Levi's®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™ and Beyond Yoga.
Position Summary
The Global Technical Lead is responsible for executing design concepts into prototypes and bulk production while ensuring fit, style, quality, and measurement consistency throughout the product development process. This role partners closely with vendors, technical teams, design, and product development teams to support the successful execution of women's apparel products through pattern development, fit evaluation, technical specifications, garment construction expertise, and bulk production readiness.
The position requires deep technical expertise in women's fit development for non-denim and denim woven products, including bottoms, jackets, shirts, dresses, and overalls. The Global Technical Lead will interpret design intent, lead fit development activities, assess production feasibility and risk, troubleshoot fit issues, and ensure accurate execution from prototype through bulk production.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute design concepts from prototype through bulk production while maintaining fit, quality, construction, and measurement consistency, and assess feasibility, risks, and solutions to ensure successful production execution.
- Develop, modify, and evaluate patterns using manual and computer-aided pattern-making tools, including grading, flat sketching, and Illustrator drawing as required.
- Create, maintain, and update Tech Packs, measurement specifications, pattern corrections, and related technical documentation in required systems.
- Interpret designers’ aesthetic, style, and fit direction and translate requirements into clear technical direction for vendors, sample rooms, and production teams.
- Conduct fit sessions with live models, assess fit feedback, identify root causes, and implement required pattern and specification updates.
- Partner with vendors and their technical teams to communicate fit, pattern, construction, quality, and measurement requirements and ensure accurate execution.
- Build strong partnerships with San Francisco-based Design, Product Development, and Technical teams to drive clarity on style specifications, measurement standards, pattern work, and fit requirements.
- Work directly with sample rooms and bulk production environments to oversee execution of prototypes, development samples, and bulk garments.
- Manage deliverables in line with product development calendars and ensure timely completion of technical milestones and deadlines.
- Travel to vendor locations as required to support fit development, prototype execution, production readiness, and bulk production oversight.
- Flexibly support collaboration with San Francisco-based teams, including working with U.S. Pacific Time (PST) hours in the mornings and evenings on a regular basis or as business needs require.
- Adapt to new technologies, tools, systems, and processes as business needs evolve.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (10+ years combined college education, pattern-making training, and work experience may be substituted for a degree).
- Minimum 7 years of experience focused on the execution of design concepts into prototypes and bulk production.
- Experience in the apparel industry focused on women’s fit development for non-denim and denim woven bottoms (jeans, shorts, skirts, overalls), jackets, shirts, and dresses.
- Experience with manual and computer-aided patternmaking and grading, with proficiency in PLM, Excel, and Gerber Fit development; proficiency in additional pattern-making tools and 3D applications such as CLO preferred.
- Experience with flat sketching and/or Illustrator drawing.
- Experience creating Tech Packs and measurement specifications and evaluating garment execution against the same.
- Flexible and collaborative working style, with the ability to adapt to evolving tools, new technology, systems, processes, and global ways of working.
Additional Qualifications
- Advanced technical knowledge of garment construction, pattern engineering, fit standards, fabric, wash, finishing, equipment, and production methods, with an understanding of their impact on fit, quality, and production execution.
- Ability to identify technical risks, anticipate production challenges, make sound technical decisions, and develop practical solutions through hands-on garment review across sample room and bulk production environments.
- Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain fit, pattern, construction, and specification requirements to cross-functional teams and vendors.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, track technical deliverables, and meet calendar-driven deadlines.
