Technical Director

Location:
Paris

Address:
71 rue du faubourg saint honore Paris, Paris 75008 France

Job Title:
Technical Director

Canada Goose isn't like anything else. We've built something great, something special - an iconic lifestyle brand with an inspirational and authentic story. At the heart of it is our promise to inspire and enable all people to thrive in the world outside. To Live in the Open. At Canada Goose, you're part of a movement that belongs to something bigger. One that seeks out the restorative power of nature and is driven by a purpose to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. We endure any condition, observe every detail, and are building a community that believes in living bravely and coming together to support game-changing people.

Here, opportunities are everywhere - to try something new, to learn, to do meaningful and impactful work, and they're yours for the taking.

Position Overview:
The **Technical Director**will lead the ‘offshore’ technical aspects of the product lifecycle, from concept through to final production. This role requires a strategic leader with expertise in apparel engineering, sourcing, quality assurance, and compliance management to ensure that products meet both the highest standards of performance and align with industry regulations and Canada Goose brand standards. You will be a thought partner with the design team in Paris, as well as collaborating with sourcing, production, and compliance teams to drive innovation, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the product development process.

**About The Role**:
**Product Development and Technical Direction**:

- Lead the Paris product development team in the creation of new styles, (including ‘bill of materials’ and technical specifications), ensuring they meet design, functionality, quality, compliance and cost objectives.
- Collaborate closely with design, sourcing and merchandising partners to ensure technical feasibility of designs and identify potential manufacturing or sourcing issues early in the process.
- Work with cross-functional teams to drive product innovation, design improvements, and develop new production techniques or materials alongside offshore vendor partners.
- Provide expert technical guidance to the EU development and repair centres.

**Sourcing and Supplier Management Support**:

- Develop and maintain strong relationships with global suppliers and manufacturers to ensure high-quality sourcing of fabrics, trims, and finished goods.
- Inform the sourcing strategy, identifying new vendors, and evaluating production capabilities.
- Drive cost efficiencies and work to optimize supply chain processes while ensuring compliance with social, environmental, and ethical standards.
- Plan and participate in factory visits and audits to assess production capacity, quality, and compliance with contract requirements.

**Product Quality Assurance and Compliance Support**:

- Support the Quality Director in creating product quality standards, ensuring that all products and raw materials meet or exceed industry regulations and internal brand standards.
- Reinforce and follow up on completion of quality control and testing requirements for offshore finished goods to ensure they meet performance, quality, compliance and durability standards.
- Stay up to date with evolving industry regulations, certifications (e.g., GOTS, OEKO-TEX, ISO), and sustainability practices to ensure compliance across all product categories.
- Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues, driving continuous improvement efforts throughout the production process.

**Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration**:

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team in Paris across a variety of technical roles.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the product development, design, and production teams.
- Work closely with the product operations team to ensure alignment on product timelines, manufacturing schedules, and delivery expectations.
- Partner with the sustainability team to incorporate sustainable materials, processes, and certifications into product development and sourcing decisions.

**Reporting and Documentation**:

- Maintain clear and comprehensive records of all technical development, sourcing, quality, and compliance documentation.
- Provide regular reports to senior leadership on project timelines, budgets, and performance metrics related to product development, sourcing, and quality.
- Track and analyze product development KPIs to ensure performance against company goals, including time-to-market and product quality.

**About You**:

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Textile Engineering, Apparel Design, Fashion Technology, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in technical apparel product development, sourcing, and quality assurance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Extensive experience with garment manufacturing processes, fabric sourcing, and supplier management in both