Jason Lee
director · Self Employed
West Vancouver, British ColumbiaIn My Own Words
A production profession with over 10 years of experience in both apparel and hard goods. Working from concept to completion, I have been responsible for the development of new products, as well as relationship building and factory management.
Work Experience
Product, Sourcing and Production Consultant
Self Employed2018 – 2022
Hired on a contract basis to oversee, development and commercialization of a start-up technical bike specific footwear line • Manage and oversee production of 100,000 – 150,000 pairs of technical footwear • Manage development of new styles • Secure space and relationships with manufacturing partners • Implement QA and QC protocols • Negotiate pricing and terms for immediate needs and continued growth • Implement systems and process necessary for Ride Concepts business to scale significantly
Confidential Brand MTB Footwear Product Consultant
Default2017 – 2022
Responsibilities: ● Oversee and manage entire development process from working with design on concept, to sign-off samples, commercialization and execution of bulk production ● Manage and oversee off-shore manufacturing facilities ● Development and implementation of QC/QA standards and tolerances for our current footwear offering ● Working very closely with design to develop new models and tools to continue to push the edge of development ● Source new technical, and sustainable materials to implement in new shoe programs ● Work with our manufacturing partners to manage timelines, negotiate costing and payment terms. ● Development and implement development and seasonal delivery calendars, and ensure that we are meeting gate checks and milestone dates ● Management of production calendars ● Continue to improve sustainability programs and looking at ways to continue to reduce our global carbon footprint.
Director of Development AND Production
Native Footwear Canada2015 – 2021
Originally hired as Director of Production to improve production planning with overseas manufacturing partners, and to ensure on time delivery of sample and bulk production. Added Development in November 2016 to ensure that product as developed in a timely fashion and could be easily commercialized for mass production, while maintaining the design aesthetic.
Responsibilities: ● Manage and oversee production of over 1.2 million pairs with our Asian manufacturing partners. ● Implementation and execution on seasonal delivery calendars. ● Develop and plan production schedules to ensure on time delivery. ● Implement and execute Quality Control standards ● Manage QA and QC staff in China and Vietnam. Currently 4 direct reports for QC department. ● Work with logistics and the vendors in the movement of goods. ● Manage and drive development from design hand off to commercialization. Developing product on time, on spec and on budget. ● Oversee the China development office. Mentorship of our Senior Technical Developer. ● Manage and direct the in house development team to ensure we are building to spec. 3 direct reports ● Ensuring teams follow development calendar and meet milestone gates
Director of Production & Commecialization
Native Footwear2015 – 2021
• Manage and oversee production of over 1.2 million pairs with our Asian manufacturing partners. • Implementation and execution on seasonal delivery calendars. • Develop and plan production schedules to ensure on time delivery. • Implement and execute Quality Control standards • Manage QA and QC staff in China and Vietnam. Currently 4 direct reports for QC department. • Work with logistics and the vendors in the movement of goods. • Manage and drive development from design hand off to commercializa
Independent Contractor: Sr. Global Sourcing, Production and Development Manager
INA International Ltd2009 – 2015
Oversee and manage 11 factories in China and Asia, including, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Taicang, Ningbo, Jinan, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Shaoxing, and Bangkok Contracted by INA International, (a Division of the Forzani Group Ltd.), to manage all aspects of product development, production and sourcing for the brands acquired from Access Distribution. Maintained and developed relationships with off shore vendors and material suppliers. Effectively negotiated 0% price increases for 2010 fall/winter season. Efficiently maintained timelines and development calendars for all categories. Categories: Snowboard, Bindings, Boots, Bags, Helmets, and Gloves, across 5 distinct brands, including all SMU programs for our key US accounts. Initiated the implementation and execution of Quality Control protocols encompassing the aforementioned categories, including bike, with a total annual volume in excess 265,000 units, and a PO cost in excess of 12 million USD. With the implementation of the QC protocols, we have managed a 2% annual return rate. Spearheaded initiatives with vendor partners to ensure that all goods bound for the US meet and exceed CPSIA regulations, and responsible for ensuring vendors are BSCI compliant. Further to maintaining a low return rate, and continued on time deliveries, have been able to maintain an overall gross margin of 38% despite the ongoing pricing pressures experienced in China.
Independent Contractor Senior Global
INA International2009 – 2015
Sourcing, Development Production Consultant: Division of the Forzani Group Ltd., Recently acquired by Canadian Tire Corporation. Production and Sourcing: Equipment Brands: SIMS, FIREFLY, M3, Capix, Anex, and McKinley Responsibilities:
● Manage the production of 265,000+ units across multiple categories ● Development of SOP for entire INA hardgoods division ● Maintained and developed relationships with off shore vendors and material suppliers. ● Effectively negotiated 0% price increases for 2010 fall/winter season.. ● Initiated the implementation and execution of Quality Control protocols. With the implementation of the QC protocols, we have managed a 2% annual return rate. ● Spearheaded initiatives with vendor partners to ensure that all goods bound for the US meet and exceed CPSIA regulations, and responsible for ensuring vendors are BSCI compliant. Further to maintaining a low return rate, and continued on time deliveries, have been able to maintain an overall gross margin of 38% despite the ongoing pricing pressures experienced in China.
Director of Sourcing and Product
Access Distribution Inc2008 – 2009
Expertise: Oversee and manage 8 factories in China and Asia, including, Dongguan, Houjie, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Jinan, Fuzhou and Taiwan Director Sourcing and Product Development Hired to manage all product development, of both hard goods and soft goods, develop and maintained strong relationships with all off shore suppliers in China and Taiwan. Responsible for: price negotiation, margin calculation, product development and management of all product categories and brands. Continued in above role until company's assets and brands were purchased
Director Sourcing and Product Development
Access Distribution2008 – 2009
May 2008 - Feb 2009 Privately Held Actions Sports Distribution company, Acquired by INA International in February 2009 Director Sourcing and Product Development: Apparel and Equipment Brands: Mission Six, Monix, M3, Anex, Capix Responsibilities:
● Develop technical apparel with designers to fit with North American Market. ● Source materials, and vendor base to ensure we meet target price and delivery dates ● Manage the production of 35,000-55,000 units of technical outerwear annually ● Responsible for: price negotiation, margin calculation, product development and management of all technical apparel brands. ● Development and management of additional product categories, including bags, gloves, and equipment related to the snow sports industry
Production Manager
Mordo AND Son2004 – 2008
Bags and Equipment Brands: Lamar, Limited, Sapient Responsibilities:
● Establishing QC protocols to ensure that all product categories meet AMS construction standards, and meet or exceed all quality control protocols. ● Responsible for product development and management for all categories including but not limited to snowboards, bindings, boots, footwear, helmets and bags as well as line development and development calendars for all brands and categories. ● Was solely responsible for the sourcing, negotiation and purchase of materials required in snowboard production. Calculated material yields in order to minimize material inventories. ● Worked closely with the brand manager on new products and designs, establishing new concepts and following them through to completion. ● Worked closely with offices located in China and factory partners. ● Responsible for a staff in Asia of 7 including quality control inspectors, and technical boot developers. ● Expanded role in January 2007 to manage and oversee all production and sourcing. ● Implemented new Quality Control protocols, which successfully decreased the NG (no good) rate from 15-17% to 2% once the program was initiated. ● 2007 production season, managed the production of 220,000 + units of snow sports product at a PO cost of 7.7 million USD. ● Successfully had the earliest delivery in the history of the company with a 95% fulfillment rate.
● Developed, implemented and executed production management systems to provide production-tracking information in an accurate and timely manner.
Production Manager
Mordo & Son Ltd2004 – 2008
Expertise: Manage and oversee vendor partner factories, in Europe and Asia, including Austria, Dongguan, Shaoxing, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Panyu; Originally hired as Product Manager for hard-goods. Was solely responsible for the sourcing, negotiation and purchases of all materials used in snowboard production. Calculated yields with minimal wastage in order to control material inventory levels Responsibilities including but not limited to; ensuring that all product categories meet AMS construction standards, and meet or exceed all quality control protocols. Responsible for product development and management for all categories including but not limited to snowboards, bindings, boots, helmets and bags as well as line development and development calendars for all brands and categories. Worked closely with the brand manager on new products and designs, establishing new concepts and following them through to completion. Worked closely with offices located in China and factory partners. Responsible for a staff in Asia of 7 including quality control inspectors, and technical boot developers. Expanded role in January 2007 to manage and oversee all production and sourcing. Implemented new Quality Control protocols, which successfully decreased the NG (no good) rate from 15-17% to 2% once the program was initiated. 2007 production season, managed the production of 220,000 + units of snow sports product at a PO cost of 7.7 million USD. Successfully had the earliest delivery in the history of the company with a 95% fulfillment rate. Developed, implemented and executed production management systems to provide production-tracking information in an accurate and timely manner.
Business Development Manager
Charter Link Ltd2001 – 2005
Hired to set-up and manage operations of the North American Sales Office. Directly responsible for increasing sales and production volume of our Chinese factories located in Hengli Town, Dongguan and Jiangxi. Responsible for development and implementation of sales and business development strategies that helped secure new business and increased overall sales and production capacity. Spending six to eight weeks a year in our factories in China overseeing production of Charter Link's clients to ensure quality and timely delivery. Developed a strategy to diversify Charter Link's core business into brand building. Designed and developed a technical outdoor apparel line under the Static brand name using inventory materials. Line consisted of 4 men's jackets, 4 men's pants, 3 women's jackets,and 3 women's pants. Responsible for the sourcing of fabrics and notions for various clients, and for providing product development services for existing Charter Link clients on a project-by-project basis. Responsible for a 33% per annum increase in overall sales volume.
