Experience

Shackleton

• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Product Performance

  • Sep 2021 - Present

  My role was advisory in nature and included: • Developing strategies to increase levels of product performance in order to move the brand from a Luxury to a Performance Luxury category. The strategy was applied to key, existing, outerwear styles and new styles going forward. • The development of an innovative field-testing strategy with specific aims of reducing the risk of production delays and improving the decision-making process. • Market research and developing strategies to expand the brand into new areas. • Product research, including user needs, innovation, materials, technologies and chemistries including PFAS. • Advising on materials selection. • Advising on the design and development of new outerwear styles. These included specialized pieces for polar traverses. • Evaluating design work, prototypes and finished goods. • Developing an improved, scalable architecture of the product department. • Creation of a template to improve decision making. • Technical writing. • Line planning. Show less



Arc'teryx Equipment

• Canada
• Design Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Advanced R&D Project and Testing Specialist

  • Jul 2013 - Apr 2020

  I was recruited by Arc'teryx to establish and manage a field-test program within Advanced R&D. The program was later expanded to serve the needs of the Materials and Design teams. I worked closely with all three groups over a range of projects involving concept exploration, methods of construction, chemistries, and evaluation of materials and designs. Key product areas were avalanche airbags, technical and insulated apparel, active insulation, waterproof/breathable fabrics, packs, footwear and handwear. A second aspect of my role was to act as a conduit between experts in key disciplines and stakeholders within our product team. I worked to convey the needs, concerns and ideas of those working in, or researching on, the mechanized ski (helicopter and snowcat), mountain-rescue and avalanche sectors. Show less



MEC

• Canada
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Field Test Coordinator

  • Jan 2005 - Jul 2013

  My role during this period was split into two, related areas: • I established and managed a field-test program that severed the needs of the Materials, Design and Production departments. • I acted as a conduit between those active at the leading edge of mountain sports and those designing apparel and gear for them.In my testing role I worked closely with all of the above teams. Areas of work included concept exploration, methods of construction, chemistries, and evaluation of materials and designs. Products areas included technical apparel, seamless, packs, tents, sleeping bags, handwear and footwear. I also tested premium, branded product for the Buying team.My “conduit” role involved maintaining a strong understanding of the rapidly evolving tactics, needs and trends of those pushing boundaries in our sports; conveying such to our internal teams, and advising on the nuances of their application to our products. Show less

• Merchandise Assistant / Inventory Analyst

  • Nov 1997 - Dec 2004

  The Merchandise Assistant role is best described as an assistant product manager. I was heavily involved in the development of MEC sleeping bags (down, synthetic and hybrid) as well as day to day management of the broader running of the sleeping bag dept.As an inventory analyst I was responsible for the flow of inventory of sleeping bags, tents and some apparel. Although outside of the scope of these positions, I also field-tested for the Design team during this period.



Polartec

• United States
• Textile Manufacturing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Athlete Advisory Board Member

  • Aug 2009 - Jun 2013

  The Athlete Advisory Board was a diverse group of 10 individuals (1 French, 8 Americans – I was the lone Canadian) composed of climbers, skiers, alpinists, adventure racers, multisport athletes and special forces. Our role was to identify specific clothing needs and challenges faced by those who perform in highly-challenging, committing environments. During my time on the Board, I also field-tested a number of the concepts they were exploring. Some of these would be commercialized as Alpha, Neo, High-efficiency and variants of Powershield. Show less