Technical Design Director

Soft Surroundings is a multi-channel retailer catering to the busy woman.  With uniquely flattering and comfortable clothing in soft fabrics, state-of-the-art beauty care, luxurious bed linens, and quality furniture.  Please see our website, softsurroundings.com, for more detailed company information.




We are seeking a Technical Design Director whose repsonsibilities would include the following:Ensure that merchandise is of most consistent brand-right fit, of appropriate quality fabric and construction to enhance Soft Surroundings’ brand and meet or beat customer’s expectation. Monitor all Returns with urgency and follow-through to prevent continued shipping of unacceptable product and relisting of high returners.Make in-season corrections as necessary and possible.Participate with Quality Assurance in coaching them for top performance in spotting unacceptable receipts.  Work closely with Returns to assist as needed and prevent unacceptable quality/fit/construction from being returned to stock.Oversee all Returns reportingPartner with Merchandising to translate product development ideas/designs through to manufacturing.Communicate with vendors as needed to meet deadlines with product/sample requests accurately and promptlyAssure vendor compliance with Vendor Business Requirements.Participate in writing/updating of Vendor Business Requirements.Continually evaluate TD systems and processes for efficiency and improvement.Manage product testing process, fit model process and sample archives.Help to accurately set and meet Return Rate goals.



The successful candidate will have a college degree with  knowledge of computer software, specifically MS Word, Excel, Micrografx Designer, Gerber Web PDM, and Adobe Illustrator CS.  Also requires fashion design, apparel manufacturing or pattern making background, as well as, problem-solving and formulation skills, math and calculation, reading and reasoning. Must have eight years of industry pattern making experience and/or technical design, in addition to, at least five years of managing technical designers.

Qualified candidates may complete an on-line application at our corporate website: www.softsurroundings.com Click on the Careers Link, then Jobs By Department, then Apply Now.