Contract Technical Design Manager

OUR STORY

Quince was started to challenge the existing idea that nice things should cost a lot. Our mission was simple: create an item of equal or greater quality than the leading luxury brands and sell them at a much lower price.

OUR VALUES

Customer First. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority.

High Quality. True quality is a combination of premium materials and high production standards that everyone can feel good about.

Essential design. We dont chase trends and we dont sell everything. Were expert curators that find the very best and bring it to you at the lowest prices.

Always a better deal. Through innovation and real price transparency we want to offer the best deal to both our customers and our factory partners.

Environmentally and Socially conscious. Were committed to sustainable materials and sustainable production methods. That means a cleaner environment and fair wages for factory workers.

OUR TEAM AND SUCCESS

Quince is a retail and technology company co-founded by a team that has extensive experience in retail technology and building early stage companies. Youll work with a team of world-class talent from Stanford GSB Google D.E. Shaw Stitch Fix Urban Outfitters Wayfair McKinsey Nike etc.

CONTRACT ROLE: WORKING TECHNICAL DESIGN MANAGER (4-MONTH CONTRACT WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL TIME ROLE)

Were hiring a senior technical design and fit expert to lead a focused 4-month sprint to reset and standardize fit across all categories at Quincespanning mens womens and unisex apparel. This role combinessystem-level leadership with hands-on category ownership: youll directly manage fit for select high-priority categories while driving a scalable cross-category framework for everyone else to adopt.

Youll define core fit blocks reestablish tolerances and grading logic and ensure fit feedback loops are working from proto through production. Your work will align U.S. and HK teams streamline tech packs and result in a fit system that reduces returns increases customer satisfaction and enables faster development long after your contract ends.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

This is a leadership role requiring not just technical skill but the ability to guide teams influence decision-making and drive execution across functions categories and geographies.

• Set the standard. Define what good fit means at Quince and ensure alignment across PD Tech Merch QC and Vendor teams.
• Own fit tolerances for QC. Establish and maintain the fit tolerance system used across all categories and onboard the QC team to ensure consistent measurement and enforcement.
• Coach and influence. Provide direct coaching and actionable feedback to in-house fit techs developers and vendors to elevate execution quality.
• Host vendor workshops. Lead structured sessions with vendor partners to align on fit expectations block usage measurement protocols and approval standards.
• Train in-country TDs. Equip regional Technical Design teams with the tools fit blocks and documentation needed to drive consistency at the source.
• Escalate with sample rooms. Actively intervene when repeated fit issues arise from vendor sample rooms; own escalations and resolution paths.
• Own the Fit Tech PLM. Serve as the subject matter expert for the fit-related components of PLM; ensure that fit blocks tolerances and revisions are standardized and properly maintained.
• Manage SaaS relationships. Act as the primary point of contact for any SaaS tools related to fit approvals or measurement (e.g. 3D fit tools digital measuring systems).
• Track and report fit performance. Use Looker dashboards and return data to track fit consistency and customer satisfaction; define and improve KPIs tied to fit performance.
• Navigate ambiguity. Lead with clarity in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift and systems are still evolving.
• Lead by doing. Model hands-on excellence in your owned categories while building systems and tools others can adopt.
• Communicate with confidence. Translate fit issues and decisions clearly across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Own the outcome. Be accountable not just for your deliverables but for whether the broader team adopts sustains and benefits from the fit system you lead.

FIT BLOCK EXPECTATIONS

• Own fit for priority categories. Personally lead fit development for a defined set of high-volume or high-impact categories.
• Drive the cross-category reset. Oversee a full audit and reworking of fit standards across all mens and womens apparel categories.
• Build the blocks - Create and validate 2025 core fit blocks organized by category and fit intent (Roughly half of a typical load)
• Lead fit through the lifecycle. Manage fit from proto through production: run fit sessions drive revisions and ensure alignment.
• Standardize fit logic. Define and document grading rules tolerances and decision trees that apply across fabrications and categories.
• Use feedback to fix problems. Leverage returns reviews and wear tests to identify systemic issues and implement long-term solutions.
• Document and train. Deliver usage guidance fit standards and documentation that future teams can build on.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 10 years in technical design fit or development across multiple apparel categories
• Experience aligning global cross-functional teams (PD Tech Merch Vendors)
• 8 years of demonstrated fit leadership in previous rolesdriving standards influencing teams and implementing cross-functional solutions
• Detail-oriented proactive and comfortable working across multiple categories and timelines

* This role works in our San Francisco office 4 days per week