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Management - Product

Product Manager/Developer/Designer

Project Management

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<p>Self-starter with over 20 years experience in Apparel &amp; Accessories product management, design, merchandising, planning, development &amp; a passion for problem-solving. </p>

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

•	Responsible for overall product management and P&L for Apparel, Logo wear, Handwear, Headwear and Belts resulting in over 40% growth across all categories for e-comm and wholesale channels
•	Managed seasonal merchandising assortments and strategic goals, providing category and pricing insights based on market and consumer data analysis
•	Created, managed and maintained product line plan and seasonal calendars
•	Led monthly keep/add/drop inventory, purchasing and demand meetings 
•	Responsible for briefing customer research, market conditions and status/activity of competing brands 
•	Executed product briefs for all categories and branded/logo wear in apparel and accessories
•	Responsible for product performance and feature requirements by ensuring they meet overall brand strategy
•	Led product design, graphic design, materials, quality and sourcing on all products
•	Continually analyzed historical and current sales data by category, channel and consumer and sku level
•	Implemented business plans on new products to meet launch expectations and timing with Sales and Marketing
•	Designed and Developed Men’s & Women’s cut and sew and knits for all in-line products
•	Initiated and implemented successful re-launch of all categories through re-sourcing, strategy and margin growth
•	Created product calendars, softgoods quality manual, seasonal road-maps and go to market plans
•	Responsible for recommendation and implementation of improvement in existing products and product lifecycles
•	Managed all creative, innovation, silhouette, print / pattern, color, and materials direction for all categories
•	Directed creative and merchandising strategies, including visual line plans and pricing strategies
•	Key point of contact for Sales and Marketing on product-related communications
•	Managed and analyzed costing from vendors and worked on maintaining and improving margin requirements

CATEGORY MANAGER - SOFTGOODS/APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

•	Developed Men’s, Women’s, and Kids' performance apparel, including cut-and-sew and sweater knit garments
•	Managed and tracked style development according to established product calendar
•	Initiated and managed Wear Testing Program, analyzing results to optimize advanced and in-line products
•	Executed all details of tech pack development including bill of materials, measurement specifications, construction details and points of measure through utilization of Excel and Product Line Management (PLM) systems.
•	Supported margin goals through value cost engineering in partnership with Operations and Merchandising teams
•	Managed and scheduled fit sessions, ensuring alignment with brand fit standards
•	Tracked style development and ensured adherence to established product calendars
•	Developed and managed yarn development process for sweaters and knit accessories
•	Traveled and communicated with domestic and international VF Asia offices, factories and trade shows

PRODUCT DEVELOPER

•	Directed, initiated and managed all aspects of design, development and merchandising assortment planning for apparel including women’s running and lifestyle products in tops, bottoms, outerwear and sports bras
•	Responsible for product development process: tech packs, tech sketches, materials, specs and construction
•	Designed and developed all apparel including garment, fabric, trims and textile prints
•	Researched trend forecasting needs and interpreted ideas for seasonal product strategies
•	Created development timelines, SKU management, and pricing strategies for wholesale and direct-to-consumer
•	Responsible for operations, including pricing, margin standards, purchasing, SKU management and line planning
•	Managed and maintained all key system work associated with product creation
•	Created retail account specific visual merchandising and product assortments
•	Managed any additional staff needs when contract help was needed
•	Prepared and assisted in seasonal product reviews to cross functional team members
•	Developed product briefs to contain brand information on pricing, competitive analysis, forecasting and colorways 
•	Traveled domestically and internationally for trade shows, accounts and to tour factories
•	Responsible for merchandise assortment planning and successful creation of new product launch category 
•	Conducted wear testing and fit evaluations across various body types and sizes
•	Evaluated and commented on protos, fit samples, sales samples, pre-production and top of production samples
•	Sourced fabrics and trims, ensuring timely testing and approvals for production
•	Communicated daily with manufacturers in Asia to ensure execution of product details and maintain timelines
•	Identified, requested and approved lab dips and strike-offs for SMS and production
•	Created and developed Point of Measure and Quality Assurance manuals
•	Created and managed tech packs, development calendars, communicated status updates
•	Negotiated material and garment costs, order quantities, and lead-times with factories to reach financial goals 

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT CREATION / DESIGNER / DEVELOPER / MERCHANDISER / PRODUCT  MANAGER

•	Responsible for executing decorated product services, including apparel, accessories, banners and signs
•	Designed original art for screen printing, vinyl, embroidery and heat transfer applications
•	Managed production workflow from customer care to product execution
•	Communicated costing requirements to customers
•	Recreated art from unacceptable formats or poor quality, to provide suggestions for best final product execution
•	Created color separations and film output for correct product application

PRODUCT MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

•	Keystone Workwear - Created tech packs, tech sketches, folding and packing specs for Painter’s Wear Pants
•	Island Company - Created tech packs and analyzed fit for Men’s and Women’s apparel resort wear
•	Dara Gear – Designed, created tech packs and analyzed fit for Men’s and Women’s Muay Thai activewear
•	Pearl Izumi - Created tech packs for Shimano products including Men’s and Women’s cycling apparel 

CONTRACT DESIGNER & DEVELOPER

•	Developed Kids, Men’s and Women’s apparel and accessories (woven/knit tops, bottoms, hats, scarves, mittens, bags) for Crocs and Ocean Minded product lines
•	Created technical packages, including tech sketches, measurements, material specs, and construction details
•	Collaborated with designers to refine and finalize garment specifications.
•	Identified, requested and approved color lab dips for sales sample and production cloth
•	Managed and tracked production stages, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards 
•	Oversaw sample approval process (fit, sales, pre-production, and production samples)
•	Conducted domestic and international factory tours to monitor production processes
•	Created point of measure sketches/descriptions for new product categories (swimwear, intimates, accessories

APPAREL PRODUCT DEVELOPER

•	Developed and launched new Kids product category (tops, bottoms, denim, outerwear) for e-comm and wholesale
•	Designed and introduced School Uniform line with expanded sizing (including toddler sizes)
•	Led Women’s Workwear development (tops, bottoms, denim, outerwear) and implemented new fit standards
•	Collaborated with general managers, sales and marketing on seasonal forecast and merch planning
•	Conducted consumer wear tests, focus groups, and fit tests to align products with market needs
•	Managed creation of tech packs, including measurement specs, material details, and target costs
•	Collaborated with factories, quality control, and engineering to address production and quality challenges
•	Designed and developed trim and cloth from concept to completion. Identified, requested and approved lab dips
•	Researched consumer needs and trends to interpret ideas for product development seasonal strategies
•	Responsible for in-line presentations to accounts and national sales force
•	Maintained carry-over product and updated existing styles with market trends thru evaluating SKU productivity
•	Responsible for projects and tasks that the Merchandising Assistant worked with
•	Initiated and developed color and trend boards for new product presentations
•	Determined new product pricing based upon competitor research, sales input and margin requirements
•	Traveled domestically and internationally to oversee production and vendor relations

PRODUCT MANAGER

Keli Blake is a Product Manager/Developer/Designer at SYNC Performance in Longmont, Colorado.

Keli Blake

Keli Blake

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