Keli Blake
Product Manager/Developer/Designer
Longmont | United States
Skills
- Softgoods unicorn!
Industries
Fishing
Lifestyle
Outdoor
Run
Snow
Triathlon
Summary
Activity
Projects
Work experience
SYNC Performance
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT | 01/2024 - Current

Magpul Industries
CATEGORY MANAGER - SOFTGOODS/APPAREL & ACCESSORIES | 05/2019 - 09/2023
• 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
Smartwool
PRODUCT DEVELOPER | 04/2015 - 05/2019
• 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
Skirt Sports, Inc.
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT CREATION / DESIGNER / DEVELOPER / MERCHANDISER / PRODUCT MANAGER | 02/2010 - 04/2015
• 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
Instant Imprints
PRODUCT MANAGER & GRAPHIC DESIGNER | 01/2008 - 01/2010
• 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
Self employeed
CONTRACT DESIGNER & DEVELOPER | 01/2009 - 01/2010
• 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
Crocs, Inc
APPAREL PRODUCT DEVELOPER | 08/2007 - 06/2008
• 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
Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Company (Dickies)
PRODUCT MANAGER | 10/2003 - 09/2007
• 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
Education history
Texas Christian University
Bachelor's of Science / Fashion Merchandising | 1999 - 2003



