Product Manager

• Sep 2022 - Present

Manager, Business & Operations Development/Product Development

• Oct 2019 - Oct 2021

Manager, Business & Operations Development/Product Development Collaborate with internal stakeholders: merchandising, design, warehouse and distribution, to review current operational processes identifying and establishing timeline and procedures most effective for product development and in store sales improvement. Drive wholesale business opportunities, new and established increasing product sales and distribution pipeline. Research and lead initiatives for new product opportunities, work with Head of Design to create vision boards to identify and develop new branding and product opportunities, Technical Design to develop new product categories and specifications, Graphic Design to develop new prints for existing and new products and Merchandising on current sales analysis and go-forward sales strategy. -Established new regional wholesale distribution channels, develop and manage new online platforms: website, Facebook and Instagram for online sales opportunities. -Lead the development and execution of new product strategy across several categories; handbags, backpacks & pouches, baby products, home goods and paper products with successful launch of new products. -Analyze sales results determining future product and sales strategies. Show less

Product Development Manager

• Aug 2017 - Mar 2019

Manager, Product Development Lead three-member team and spearhead leather sourcing strategy, identifying opportunities to maximize product by utilizing same quality across different divisions. Evaluate operations and productivity of suppliers in effort to streamline new product development and implementation. Select factories, monitor product design, and negotiate costing. Manage timelines for finished goods ensuring alignment with company’s business strategies to accommodate on-time production. Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency. Participate in supply chain management, orchestrating global sourcing and manufacturing, procurement and buying, and materials planning and allocation.  Leveraged off-price and full line development, slashing RM costs by 21% to realize $120K in cost savings.  Drove volume at one tannery leading to quicker turnaround of goods and increased control of supply chain, eliminating waste and reducing costs.  Employed exceptional interpersonal skills to cultivate solid relationships with tannery stakeholders and management resulting in successful contract and price negotiations. Show less

Senior Manager Procurement

• Dec 2007 - Dec 2008

• Responsible for Supplier / Vendor sourcing, relationships and contracts. Develop/Review RFPs and negotiate contracts aligned with budgetary requirements. • Manage cost negotiation, quality and on time scheduled delivery of all raw materials for in house manufacturing, solar farm construction, facilities equipment and all in house departmental supplies. • Develop KPIs to evaluate supplier performance, ensure steps for improvement and reduce defective goods and services. • Provide sourcing and procurement analysis and strategy to mitigate production risk. • Approve buyer POs for all cross-functional departmental requests. Approval authority for spend up to $50K. • Oversee and ensure proper purchasing and production scheduling to meet COG. • Created/defined PR/PO invoice approval workflow including engaging CFO and COO for agreement in approval authority amounts. • Developed MRP min/max forecast and automated PO process for Manufacturing, EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) and Solar Farm Construction. • Operated as SME for SCM Oracle Module implementation driving procurement and materials management efficiencies. • Cross-functionally developed the PR/PO Process, Systems and Tools. Lead departmental and organizational process improvement. • Strong customer-focused SCM organization, forge dedicated internal customer relationships that meet/exceed expectations. • Procurement Team Lead driving collaboration with cross-functional members/internal customers (Research/Engineering/Manufacturing/Construction/Finance/Operations/Facilities) ensuring strict adherence to production schedule achieving company development, production and fiscal goals. • Hire, manage and mentor team of 5 buyers/associates to support all Purchasing/Procurement activities. • Establish procurement team best practices, oversee daily operations for procurement team ensuring team/organizational success. Drive continuous process improvement in all aspects of procurement operations. Show less

Senior Manager Product Development

• Jan 2006 - Feb 2007

• Drive the development process from concept to commercialization across multiple seasons. Manage sourcing/purchasing/production timeline, costing, quality evaluation, raw material and final good approval.• Lead for Product Team Meetings with focus on development status for raw materials (Hardware, Fabric, Leather), trims (Edgestain,Threads and Zippers) and seasonal handbag prototypes ensuring timely execution that meet/exceed PDT deadlines.• Drive alignment with cross-functional leaders (design/merchandising/materials management/ production/engineering) enabling team to meet/exceed product cost and quality (design aesthetic/intent, merchant functionality, brand integrity).• Manage marketing and visual merchandising product schedule hitting deadlines for in store product layout.• Lead for product delivery of in house visual merchandising setup for seasonal design review display.• Manage product team BOM and PO creation and execution• Oversee and ensure proper purchasing and production scheduling to meet cost of goods sold. • Manage change control process; ensure clear/detailed communications via proper channels.• Act as liaison between CES (Coach European Services), Coach Asia, and trading good Vendors.• Global travel for raw materials and product throughout all stages of commercialization. Provide technical solution support for design.• Support and develop staff, partner with management to establish developmental goals and action plans for achieving organizational initiatives. Continuous process improvement. Show less

Manager Product Development

• Jan 2005 - Jan 2006

• Lead for Design Review Meetings functioning as technical and business resource ensuring product meets/exceeds quality and cost standards.• Communicate with CES, Coach Asia and vendors ensuring timely execution of samples: design concept, engineering prototypes, marketing and visual team samples, design/merchant confirmation, and production approval.• Manage tech packs: coordinate and send materials, reference samples, and pattern to vendors.• Drive development with in-house sample makers for fast track mock-up and prototypes for visual/marketing.• Manage PTR (product tracking report). Ensure product turn around meets PDT milestones.• Manage staff (associates and assistants) ensuring all BOMs and POs are consistently updated with high attention to detail, available and delivered to global agents and vendors. Manage team to hit PDT milestones.• Management of development, procurement and production outstanding issues via clear documentation of expectations with strict adherence to production timeline. • Establish departmental process for and supervise maintenance of material matrix (approved fabric, leather, hardware, threads, zippers, edge stains) compiling data for a comprehensive library for future reference.• Global travel throughout commercialization process. Provide technical solution support for design.• Ensure team is properly boarded, trained and developed on best practices of PPD processes, procedures, systems and tools with focus on continual process improvement. Identify career path opportunities and communicate to management steps and tools necessary for success. Show less

Associate Production Manager

• Dec 2003 - Dec 2004

• Manage efforts to aggressively save costs via timely communication with vendors and brand merchants conveying outlet business strategy/operational/sourcing objectives. Ensure competitive pricing, fair up-charges, quality and on time delivery of all materials and final goods. • Source and manage mills, tanneries, hardware component and finished product vendors for new/existing material development. Maintain brand quality expectations and outlet target cost/IMU. • Maintain detailed spec/tech packs from concept to production. Technical solution support, critique, evaluate, and adjust design concepts and prototypes ensuring from an aesthetic, manufacturing and functionality perspective. • Create and manage all stages of Bill of Materials/Purchase Orders for all Accessories product categories handled Handbags, SLGs, Belts, Knits (sock/scarves/gloves), Hats, Ties, Shoes. • Seasonal production/merchandising in store product review. Develop understanding of store product layout. • Travel quarterly to domestic and international vendors (Northern/Southern China, HK, Korea, Thailand, SF). Acquire a sophisticated working knowledge of production process, raw materials and costing through enhanced international vendor relations. • Develop long term global vendor sourcing strategies, negotiate long-term supplier contracts. • Research and develop new vendors establishing new sourcing/procurement/purchasing opportunities resulting in shorter lead times, cost savings, higher quality product and increased vendor flexibility while maintaining corporate social responsibility. Show less

Assistant Production Manager

• Sep 2001 - Dec 2003

• Execute global sourcing (purchasing/production) strategy for Non-Apparel department to meet/exceed financial goals/IMU (create and distribute costing/placement/tech packages). • Manage all aspects of procurement and production of HBs, luggage, belts, SLGs, socks with HK/CHINA, INDIA, KOREA, MIAMI, ITALY, UK, TURKEY, THAILAND agents/vendors.• Compile data, analyze and deliver post season hindsight and future product sourcing/production placement strategy.• Gather information on liabilities and present solutions to minimize financial implications.• Work within commercialization timeline to approve all products, on time delivery and cost within operational budget. • Manage marketing and visual merchandising sample communications. Deliver in house samples for photo shoots/visual layouts.• Management of all stages of POs.• Travel to Italian tanneries and factories. All stages of vendor contract management, establish, cost, quality, schedule.• Create and execute a 3 year growth strategy. Build strong partnerships with key growth vendors. Show less

Merchandise Coordinator

• Aug 2000 - Sep 2001

• Manage merchant assortment sheet. Reconcile monthly receipts• Aid in developing seasonal strategies (speed to market, open to buy, fast sell, monthly forecast)• Oversee markdowns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for Banana Women’s division• Manage stock transfer order (STO) process for entire Women’s Division • Serve as Banana Republic Women’s corporate contact for all training • Attend garment fits with Technical Services, Merchandising and Production. Coordinate BR Women’s in store and special fittings• Manage BR Women’s divisional re-ticketing/re-pricing issues • Ensure timely completion of all purchase orders• Communicate with all domestic and international agents on a daily/weekly basis to build team strength and maintain high level of support Show less