Andrew Fitzgerald

Senior Manager - Global Production (Headwear & Apparel)

2023 – Present

Senior lead working closely with internal teams and global vendor partners to ensure the timely, cost-effective delivery of high-quality products.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with global headwear and apparel vendors, collaborating on key programs, strategic projects, and business-critical initiatives.

• Oversee pre-season and in-season production activities, ensuring all milestones align with the Time and Action (T&A) calendar, while meeting cost, quality, and compliance standards.

• Drive production efficiency, process optimization, and product quality initiatives through a transparent, hands-on management approach.

Senior Production Manager

2017 – 2023

Production Management Team Lead for the Luggage, Bags, and Accessory business. Managed the production process (pre-production -> finished goods delivery) at all partner manufacturing locations. A key contributor within the team helping to bring finished product to the market.

- Drove purchase order planning, placement, pricing, and product allocation initiatives. Led MOQ and price negotiation discussions with manufacturing partners and sub-suppliers.

- Managed raw material, component, and parts inventory with manufacturing partners. Developed material ordering strategies (as required) resulting in inventory levels meeting order quantity requirements.

- Led pre-production material and component testing initiatives. Created new product test methods and coordinated all physical and chemical testing activity.

- Responsible for monitoring IQC, in-line, and FPQC quality reporting. Managed quality at all stages of production and led trouble shooting efforts plus issue resolution communication with internal and external teams. Implemented and tracked continuous improvement measures at all partner facilities.

- Created operational infrastructure in China while hiring new team members. Implemented new processes, procedures, policies, and documentation while helping to lead the organization in the region.

- Contributed to company compliance efforts - product safety, sustainability of products and packaging, and social responsibility. Successfully managed several product related projects that aligned with the company's sustainability vision.

Global Product Operations Manager - Softgoods Category

2012 – 2017

Managed bulk production cycles for the Outerwear, Apparel, Bags, and Accessory businesses. Provided support for the production of more than 800 seasonal products.

- Managed product integrity efforts and process improvement measures.

- Led issue resolution communication between Product Teams, Material Team, and external Partners.

- Provided onboarding, performance analysis, and vendor improvement strategy support.

- Hired and trained overseas employees while managing teams at factories in SE Asia.

Quality Coordinator - Softgoods

2010 – 2012

Responsible for monitoring raw materials, production processes, procedures, and products to ensure finished goods meet quality requirements and specifications.

- Executed raw material and trim testing initiatives.

- Reviewed daily quality reports from manufacturing locations while working with Product Developers, Materials Team, and on the ground QA to analyze and troubleshoot all quality issues incurred.

- Collaborated with the Customer Service / Warranty team to analyze product returns and feedback. Responsible for sharing data collected with both internal and external stakeholders.

Lead Inventory

2005 – 2010

An evolutionary position with various responsibilities. I was considered a key member in the retail / team environment and a leader amongst the employees.

- Process stockroom withdrawals and replenish orders.

- Perform inventory adjustments to facilitate cycle counts and year end physical inventory.

- Created all store and customer warranty claims using SAP, worked closely with the North America Product Service Team.

- Managed adjacent warehouse / retail space.

This was an entry level position at the Burton Snowboards Headquarters in Burlington, Vermont.

Snowboard Instructor

2003 – 2004

I helped people not fall down while snowboarding.

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA

1997 – 2003