This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.
The Sr. Apparel Product Fit Engineer contributes to the product development process by working closely with all functions within Product Creation to optimize garment fit and manufacturability. Remains true to the needs of the product and end user, while considering manufacturability of the product.
HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Partner closely with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, Materials Research, Quality Assurance, Development Centers, and global merchandising teams to deliver a seamless apparel engineering process.
- Lead and participate in fit sessions, ensuring consistency across styles and categories throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Validate product fit and comfort for the consumer, clearly communicating fit-related recommendations and solutions to both domestic and international partners.
- Collaborate with Fit Engineering leadership to establish and maintain fit standards, measurement parameters, quality requirements, and construction specifications.
- Build and maintain accurate measurement charts in PDM, ensuring fit, pattern, and specification details are documented throughout development.
- Review and approve graded size specifications from factories and development centers.
- Develop tools, systems, and processes that improve efficiency and accuracy while managing a high-volume product workload.
- Partner with Product Developers to identify and communicate construction details that impact garment fit and performance.
- Provide fit leadership during prototype evaluations, ensuring products meet design intent, merchandising objectives, fit standards, and quality expectations.
- Recommend and implement process improvements that streamline fittings and accelerate product creation.
YOU ARE
- A collaborative partner who builds strong relationships across functions and geographies.
- Experience working with product development teams and cross-functional apparel creation partners.
- A fit and apparel construction expert who understands how product decisions impact consumer experience.
- An effective communicator who can explain technical fit and construction concepts to diverse audiences.
- Strong data analysis, measurement interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with global partners.
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
- Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- A proactive problem solver who works independently while knowing when to seek alignment on complex issues.
- Process-minded and innovative, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and product quality.
- Influential without direct authority, able to build consensus and guide cross-functional teams toward decisions.
- A trusted resource and mentor for teammates, sharing subject matter expertise and supporting team success.
- Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to broader business objectives.
YOU HAVE
- Bachelor's degree, relevant certification, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of professional experience, preferably in patternmaking, garment engineering, fit engineering, or apparel development.
- 8+ years in fit engineering/apparel development preferred.
- Strong knowledge of patternmaking, grading, garment construction, fit engineering, and apparel manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with PDM systems and measurement specification management.
- Patternmaking and grading software skills preferred.
- Experience supporting apparel development in Asia and/or large-scale factory environments is a plus.
- Understanding of outdoor apparel consumers, retail channels, and industry trends preferred.
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This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.
At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.
If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to AskHR@columbia.com with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.
