The North Face: Senior Manager, Technical Development

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At The North Face we dare to lead the world forward through Exploration. We were born to Explore, Disrupt and to Lead. We were born to Love Wild Places and to Spark Curiosity. We believe that exploration is a mindset - both on the mountain and off the mountain - and it infuses everything we do. As a community of explorers, we stay curious about new ideas, places, and people.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of adventure-loving people, The North Face just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit The North Face Careers or www.thenorthface.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Senior Manager, Technical Development at The North Face looks a little like this.

As a Senior Manager on our Technical Development team, you will lead a team of technical developers through the entire product lifecycle, from design concept to production-ready hand-off. You will collaborate closely with design to translate fit intent and aesthetic into 3D models and physical prototypes, ensuring that fit, construction, and Bill of Materials (BOM) meet or exceed quality and cost expectations. You will maintain excellence in product specifications, manage records, style files, and samples, and provide expert guidance on construction and fit. By fostering a collaborative environment, you will coach your team to grow in their roles and align with organizational goals across the Technical Development department. Your role will involve close collaboration with materials, design, product management, product integrity, innovation, and our overseas offices in Singapore and Panama.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Plan and Oversee Development: Manage the development schedule for prototypes and style workloads, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes. This includes tracking progress against key calendar dates and identifying potential issues early.

• Team Management: Allocate and oversee team resources effectively, recognizing when style ownership is essential. You will manage a team of 2-4 direct reports, providing daily oversight, coaching, and support to ensure their professional growth.
• Fit Standards and Guidelines: Collaborate with the Fit Team to establish fit standards and guidelines, ensuring all products exceed fit and technical engineering expectations. This involves conducting fit sessions and providing actionable feedback.
• Fit Consistency: Ensure consistent execution of fit intent through thorough analysis, pattern corrections, visual adjustments, and effective communication. You will drive the use of block patterns and other tools to maintain fit consistency across products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with design and product management to ensure fit intent and aesthetic are accurately reflected in prototypes and samples. You will influence cross-functional peers to improve working relationships and drive decision-making.
• Guidance and Solutions: Provide insights and collaborate with regional sourcing and technical leads on construction, production, and cost engineering solutions. You will support your team in navigating challenges and identifying innovative solutions.
• Operational Excellence: Develop and implement departmental guidelines and standards to enhance operational efficiency and consistency across teams. This includes proposing new processes and tools to maximize productivity.
• Innovation and Execution: Partner with lead designers and product managers to define and execute seasonal projects that drive innovation within the category and the broader development team. You will lead the implementation of new tools and templates for effective communication.
• Approval and Tracking: Oversee the approval process for assigned styles from SMS to bulk production, ensuring timely release of specifications for fit and BOM/construction. Seasonal travel to manufacturers may be required.
• Team Development: Foster a learning environment that encourages open dialogue and individual growth, guiding direct reports to achieve their business and career objectives. You will create opportunities for team members to engage in training and development.
• Training and Delivery: Ensure the team is proficient in key functional responsibilities, including PLM software, BOM management, and sample evaluations (Proto, SMS, Pre