Fit Engineer II

Contribute to the Product Development process by working closely with all functions within Product Creation (Merchandising, Design, Product Development, LO Merchandising, Quality Assurance, and China Development Center).

Daily Fit Meeting scheduling and support, model resource planning, and optimizing assigned category garment fit and manufacturability are the main focuses of the position.

Must remain true to the Product's/End User's needs, directed by Merchandising and Design, while considering manufacturability of the product.

Fit Engineer

Columbia Sportswear Company

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS.

At Columbia, we're as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we're proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground.

Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: "It's perfect. Now make it better." As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving.

We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest.

And we believe in you.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Columbia Sportswear's dynamic global supply chain consists of 4 distribution centers, 430 retail stores, 80 apparel factories and 20 footwear factories worldwide and a diverse raw materials source base to support our consumer needs. We pride ourselves on being able to get products to market quickly, safely, and in the most cost-effective manner. By leveraging data analytics, we are constantly pushing to make smarter business decisions and identifying innovative ways to make Columbia Sportswear's supply chain more efficient and effective to meet our consumers' ever-changing needs.

SUMMARY

Contribute to the Product Development process by working closely with all functions within Product Creation (Merchandising, Design, Product Development, LO Merchandising, Quality Assurance, and China Development Center).
Daily Fit Meeting scheduling and support, model resource planning, and optimizing assigned category garment fit and manufacturability are the main focuses of the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop strong team partnerships with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, Materials Research, Quality Assurance, China Development Center, and the LO Merchandising staff to ensure a coordinated and efficient apparel engineering process.

• Daily Fit Meeting scheduling and support. Coordinate model and cross functional team availability to review proto fittings.
• Use historical data, in-season data, and communication skills to ensure just-in-time fit model resourcing.
• Collaborate with the Brand Fit Consultant to insure fit model meet the required needs.

• Ensure Fit Consistency at the style and category levels during the season by participating in scheduled fit sessions and seasonal auditing of products, at the classification level.
• Work with cross-functional team members on a regular basis, to examine and validate Fit for the Columbia Consumer.

• Provide feedback on Category Fit Blocks with Fit Engineering leadership.
• Own building of measurement charts in PDM per assigned block, making adjustments to specs based on style specifications. Responsible for making comments on fit, measurement, and pattern changes on each style. Maintain accurate measurement charts in PDM throughout the development cycle of each style.
• Receive and approve graded size charts from factory or DC.
• Organization: create tools, systems, and processes that allow for quick and accurate management of a large style workload.
• Ability to clearly communicate Fit-related issues in a concise manner to a broad audience, including international partners, for whom English is a second language.
• Engineering: working with FE teammates and FE management, establish parameters for Fit on a yearly basis including pattern measurements, process allowances, quality standards, and construction details. In collaboration with the Product Developers, identify, document, and communicate any construction details or sew methods to the factory which affect fit.
• Fit Sessions: provide leadership to the product creation teams in all fit sessions; take an active role in fitting prototypes with the PE, Designer, and PLM. Review the prototype to ensure that the garments meet Merchandising and Design requirements, are constructed according to the established specifications, and meet Columbia Sportswear's quality standards.
• Propose and implement changes that will expedite the fitting process.
• Work as team member by providing engineering support and assistance to Product Developers, as needed.

Secondary Functions:

• Maintain positive and open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear Product Creation team members in order to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the fit process.
• Act as a resource to Merchandising, Design, and PE teams by sharing technical fit knowledge, including the many influences on fiti.e. fabric behaviour, weight, articulation, etc. Stay informed of relevant industry- and trend-related Fit information, as it pertains to assigned category.

• Offer fit-related suggestions and recommendations to improve products and ensure successful commercialization, from prototype stage to production.
• Review garments in a digital environment, and make initial decisions regarding accuracy/production-friendliness of garment prior to physical proto creation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Scope:

Fit Engineer II must adapt to and thrive in an environment of change within the Product Creation process, while maintaining a high level of fit consistency. The role involves a high level of technical complexity, so clear and concise standards and expectations must be established and communicated to a broad audience, on an on-going basis.

Incumbent's duties are performed mainly independently with moderate supervision and work is verified by results. Position has high visibility due to direct impact on customer purchases and profitability. Errors in judgment or work performance could result in insufficient profitability for retailers and Columbia Sportswear.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Contacts are normally made with others both inside and outside the organization. Internal contacts may include merchandising, design, quality assurance, product development, and manufacturing. External contacts may include liaison offices and factory staff. Interactions tend to focus on information exchange, problem solving, explanation, discussion, and interpretations. Contacts regularly contain confidential/sensitive information.

Supervisory Responsibility :

There is no supervisory responsibility in this role.

Specific Job Skills:

Possess knowledge of patternmaking, fit engineering, and Columbia Sportswear's end-user activities. Knowledge of garment construction and manufacturing practices is essential. Knowledge of the outdoor industry, end user and retail distribution is recommended. Ability to read, write, and speak English. Proficient in manipulating data including statistical analysis and advanced math calculations. Good organizational skills and attention to detail required. Mental ability to conduct interpersonal interactions with company personnel. Ability to operate independently and innovatively and follow general guidelines. Physical ability to use telephone, computer hardware/software including keyboard, type, sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Education:

College degree or equivalent with course work in textiles, apparel design, development or manufacturing or related experience. 3-5 years in patternmaking and/or garment engineering is preferred. Patternmaking/grading computer skills desirable. Experience with Asian apparel development is helpful. Large scale factory experience is also beneficial. Understanding of the Columbia Sportswear core consumer is desirable.

Job Conditions:

Job requires hours that may occasionally exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week during times of peak activity. Evening meetings and/or weekend work occasionally required to collaborate with people in other time zones and to ensure timely project completion. Domestic and International travel is required. Some job pressure exists in the balancing of several projects with conflicting and sometimes changing deadlines. The ability to sit for extended periods and to bend, kneel, and stoop. Ability to operate telephones and computer hardware and software, including keyboard and 10-key. Physical capability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Exposure to a computer CRT.

#LI-BC1

Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.

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.

At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.