Kyle O'Connor
Product Creation Specialist · adidas
San Diego County, CA
In My Own Words
Product Creation, Process, and Innovation driven specialist with 20+ years of experience bringing quality product to consumers. Highly knowledgeable in identifying new opportunities to increase efficiencies and team alignment. Never content with the status quo and always looking to deliver unique and productive solutions.
Work Experience
Sr. Manager | Product Development
adidas2016 – Present
• Oversaw Product Creation and Costing for $200 million Golf footwear category - Managed team KPI’s of 100% on time Buy Ready and 55% fiscal year margin. • Business Unit Operations and Commercialization Management – Identified optimal factory capacities, projected transit lead times, and proposed material ordering lead times to elevate collaboration between key stakeholders to achieve key seasonal strategies, deliverables, and projected product launches. • Enhanced a strong and collaborative sourcing strategy within China and Vietnam – Drove the standardization of factory communication to optimize project expectations, sample strategy and timing, and possibilities of innovation. • Designed and managed the master product creation calendar – Identified all key tasks, deliverables, and seasonal milestones to create alignment between product development, product design, and product marketing teams. Created 18-month and 24-month calendars, for normal and higher complexity projects. • Implemented and managed in-house rapid prototyping expansion – Owned and Operated FDM printer to increase efficiency with decision making and design finalizations. Coordinated creation of SLS/SLA prints for more complex design elements. • Technical Management for new tooling and silhouette concepts – Worked with overseas mold shops in defining midsole and outsole technical design parameters. Led 2D and 3D tooling reviews to identify design modifications and finalized confirmations. • Executed all HYPE/SMU/Quick strike product development – Created bespoke development timelines to align with shortened launch windows. • Co-drafted seasonal testing strategies – Collaborated with Sr. Testing Manager to create on-course dynamic testing protocols. • In-house PLM/PDM software SME – Selected as category lead to train global Creation staff on new software and processes being implemented from Global Systems Experts.
Sr. Developer | Racewear
Thor Motocross2012 – 2016
• Managed development of Off-road Motorcycle Boots, Personal Protective Equipment, Jerseys, Pants, and Gloves. • Responsible for certifying all products for European conformity. Specifically, EN 1621-1, EN 1621-2, EN 1621-3, EN 13634:2017. • Conducted product testing with key athletes and external testing services to ensure product quality and integrity. • Designed and managed the master product creation calendar. • Reviewed and approved all product copy for external marketing assets. • Represented brand as key Product Specialist at national events to drive consumer awareness.
Developer | Footwear
Reef2010 – 2012
• Managed the development of closed-toe footwear, sandals and POS packaging. • Redesigned and managed the master product creation calendar
SMU Developer | Footwear
DC Shoes2008 – 2010
• Responsible for $87 million annual Global SMU footwear category. • Designed and managed prototype tracker to visualize product confirmation ratios.
Sales Operations | Footwear
DC Shoes2005 – 2008
• Operated as in-house sales and operations support for top tier accounts with primary focus on Specialty Majors account list.
