The Role
Lead the execution of fit fidelity, quality, and product integrity for Old Navy, overseeing technical design and quality assurance across categories while driving operational excellence and technology innovation.
Summary Generated by Built In
About the RoleThe Head of Old Navy Technical Design & Quality will lead the execution of fit fidelity, quality, and product integrity for the Old Navy brand, ensuring design aesthetics are realized with precision through industry-leading fit standards and quality excellence.
This role is accountable for driving operational excellence across Technical Design and Quality, modernizing ways of working, and embedding customer-centric fit practices powered by digital innovation. The position oversees technical design and quality assurance across Adult, Kids, and Baby, and plays a critical role in translating enterprise strategy into brand-level execution.
The role requires strong collaboration with cross-functional brand and sourcing partners, as well as external vendors, to enhance vendor capability, ensure adherence to Gap Inc. quality standards, and resolve fit and quality issues.
This leader reports to the Vice President, Technical Design & Quality, Gap Inc. and balances strategic leadership with deep operational execution, translating enterprise vision into measurable brand outcomes while driving day-to-day excellence.What You'll Do
This role is accountable for driving operational excellence across Technical Design and Quality, modernizing ways of working, and embedding customer-centric fit practices powered by digital innovation. The position oversees technical design and quality assurance across Adult, Kids, and Baby, and plays a critical role in translating enterprise strategy into brand-level execution.
The role requires strong collaboration with cross-functional brand and sourcing partners, as well as external vendors, to enhance vendor capability, ensure adherence to Gap Inc. quality standards, and resolve fit and quality issues.
This leader reports to the Vice President, Technical Design & Quality, Gap Inc. and balances strategic leadership with deep operational execution, translating enterprise vision into measurable brand outcomes while driving day-to-day excellence.What You'll Do
- Lead brand-level fit strategy in close partnership with Design to ensure aesthetic intent is executed with precision, leveraging customer feedback, return insights, and body data to deliver consistent, customer-centric fit across categories and sizes.
- Own and evolve fit block standards and grading integrity, ensuring alignment to enterprise fit frameworks and improving fit accuracy.
- Drive technology innovation through adoption of Digital Product Creation tools (3D, virtual fit, digital prototyping) and AI-enabled solutions to improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
- Govern fit and quality assurance processes across development and production, reducing rework, defects, and fit-related returns.
- Own operational excellence through KPI delivery, including fit approval cycle time, first-pass fit approval rate, return reduction, defect rate, and tech pack accuracy.
- Lead financial and operational rigor across the function, ensuring delivery against budget targets while driving continuous efficiency improvements.
- Implement and enforce standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and scalability across teams.
- Partner with Product Development and Sourcing to drive vendor readiness and capability across fit, quality, and product integrity, while advancing cost engineering to deliver optimal cost, trend-right product, and margin alignment.
- Lead vendor performance through scorecards and continuous improvement programs, ensuring accountability in fit fidelity, quality, and delivery.
- Drive customer-centric product integrity through use of returns data, fit feedback, and insights to continuously improve conversion rates.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Technical Design and Quality organization of 30+, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Role model change management efforts, driving adoption of new tools, processes, and ways of working across teams.
- Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design or related field preferred.
- 15+ years of experience in Technical Design required, with additional experience in Quality Assurance.
- Deep expertise in fit analysis, body morphology, pattern engineering, grading, garment construction, and manufacturing processes across Adult, Kids, and Baby.
- Proven experience driving digital and technology adoption (3D, PLM, AI tools) within product development.
- Strong operational mindset with ability to translate product and customer metrics into product improvements.
- Experience leading vendor management, including scorecards and capability building.
- Demonstrated ability to lead transformation and change management initiatives.
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills across matrixed, global organizations.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Expert in apparel manufacturing, with comprehensive knowledge of end-to-end production processes, garment construction, factory capabilities, and global sourcing, enabling informed decision-making to optimize fit, quality, and cost.
- Ability to travel globally.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design or related field
- 15+ years of experience in Technical Design
- Experience in Quality Assurance
- Expertise in fit analysis, body morphology, pattern engineering, grading
- Experience driving digital and technology adoption (3D, PLM, AI tools)
- Ability to travel globally
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The Company
What We Do
In 1969, Don and Doris Fisher opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco. They wanted to make it easier to find a great pair of jeans, and they did. Their denim and records store was a hit, and it grew to become one of the world’s most iconic brands. Today we’re represented in more than 1400 stores in over 40 countries, and online. We have headquarters in New York, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, and, of course, San Francisco. Our unique aesthetic is optimistic cool, elevated American style. Our clothes are crafted with care, with focused attention to thoughtful design. We believe in staying true to our heritage while creating what’s next. Don and Doris Fisher always wanted to “do more than sell clothes.” They wanted to support the people who ran their company, to be active in their communities, and to have a positive impact on the world. Their vision helped transform retail, and we’re still following their lead. We stand for freedom and possibility for all; we champion diverse ideas that transcend generations, geographies and genders.
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