Experience

Fishman and Tobin

• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Product Development, Men’s and Children’s Division

  • May 2008 - Present

  As the Director of Product Development, I oversee a portfolio which consists of the Men’s and Children’s Division including both boy’s and girl’s sportswear, dress wear, and school uniforms. My responsibilities including managing a team of eight product development associates, as well as develop seasonal product strategies, new ideas and concepts, and identify price points and costs. I have effectively launched new products into the market, increased market share, sales growth, and ensured higher profit margins for the company. I analyze customer data and market trends to develop clear marketing strategies. Collaborate with design teams, merchandising, and production teams to meet deadlines for product manufacturing. I have also been effective in streamlining communications both internal and with external vendors and suppliers from around the world to ensure company goals and objectives are achieved. A few key contributions while in this role include:⇨Provide executive level support to the company’s international location in China by visiting multiple times annually to oversee training and inspect production ensuring it meets the company’s standards related to quality and deliverables. ⇨Streamlined processes throughout multiple department to improve speed to market of products utilizing both team in the United States and China. . ⇨Identified key ways to shift workflow and allow designers additional resources and time to acquire new brands leading to increased revenues for the company. Show less

• Design Director – BoysWear

  • May 2000 - May 2008

  In my role as the Design Director, I managed a team of 15 designers, directed all product development responsibilities from design inception through production. I worked closely with design teams to identify market trends, analyze costs, and establish product categories. Reviewed all garment construction to offer recommendations and solutions to garment designs. I utilized technical packages to fabricate and design prototypes for upcoming presentations. Collaborated with sales teams and senior management related to ongoing projects and scheduled deadlines. A few key contributions while in this role include:⇨Served as Project Manager related to overseeing the design team related to deadline commitments, costs, and fittings to meet production dates. ⇨Acquired new brands for the company including TFW, Nautica, IZOD, Tommy Hilfiger, JJ Cochran Le Tigre, and private company labels for prestigious clients. Show less

• Senior Designer

  • Jan 1990 - May 2000

  In this role with Global Brands Group, I directed a design team consisting of two designers and three assistants that handled all design ideas for each brand associated with the company. I oversaw all fabric development, art design, color palette selection, concept boards, and trim development for each project. Effectively trained and mentored employees by offering on the spot feedback and challenging them to expand their design ideas utilizing different concepts and materials. A few key contributions while in this role include:⇨Doubled sales revenue by effectively leading cross-functional teams in creating and implementing product themes and logos around specific times of the year and season. ⇨Created a separate department within the company to focus on new design and floor concepts utilizing innovative logo usage for existing customers. Resulted in acquiring new customers and successfully increasing revenue growth. ⇨Oversaw the design and creation of prototypes and production approvals for sportswear and dress wear lines for national retailers such as, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, IZOD, as well as private label companies; Walmart, Dillard’s and JC Penney. Show less



Megastar Apparel Group

• Paramus, NJ

• Designer

  • Jun 1988 - Jan 1990

  ⇨ Developed pants and walk short lines including Le Tigre Men’s, boy’s and juvenile lines, JJ Cochran/Touring Club, Mature Men’s Lines, and X Statz Pants Line ⇨ Conducted research of competitors in the USA, Canada and Europe and adapted new trends to meet the American market ⇨ Administered import and domestic production of 6 product lines in different sizes between Le Tigre, JJ Cochran and Xtatx ⇨ Developed pants and walk short lines including Le Tigre Men’s, boy’s and juvenile lines, JJ Cochran/Touring Club, Mature Men’s Lines, and X Statz Pants Line ⇨ Conducted research of competitors in the USA, Canada and Europe and adapted new trends to meet the American market ⇨ Administered import and domestic production of 6 product lines in different sizes between Le Tigre, JJ Cochran and Xtatx



Sasson

• New York, NY

• Merchandiser and Designer

  • Apr 1985 - May 1988

  ⇨ Traveled to Asia and Europe trending, sourcing, product research and development ⇨ Managed QA process in factories with manufacturing ⇨ Directed physical garment prototyping design process ⇨ Traveled to Asia and Europe trending, sourcing, product research and development ⇨ Managed QA process in factories with manufacturing ⇨ Directed physical garment prototyping design process



Mavest Internations

• New York, New York

• Freelance Designer

  • Feb 1985 - Jun 1985

  • Managed design, fabrication and coloration of young men’s sportswear, active-wear and junior active-wear import lines • Created presentation boards and layouts for chain store buyers and retail • Developed international piece goods resource base • Managed design, fabrication and coloration of young men’s sportswear, active-wear and junior active-wear import lines • Created presentation boards and layouts for chain store buyers and retail • Developed international piece goods resource base



Winer Industries

• Paterson, New Jersey

• Designer

  • Mar 1982 - Jun 1984

  Designer, Paterson, Paterson, NJ 1983 - 1984 • Researched to develop concepts, themes and fabrications for Chams and Porsha outerwear lines and other private label programs for JC Penney and Store • Acted as liaison to licensor • Designed storyboards for salesmen and store accounts Assistant Designer, Paterson, NJ 1983 • Coordinated overseas sampling, detailed spec sheets sketching and presentations • Researched development of lines from concept to fabrication and presentation Sample Room Supervisor, Paterson, NJ 1982 – 1983 • Organized and scheduled sample room operations • Worked in partnership with patter makers, cutting room operators and sample makers • Systemized procedures from sampling to production approval garments Show less