Fashion

Lifestyle

Music

Outdoor

Skate

Snow

Streetwear

Surf

Health & Fitness

FREELANCE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Engineering & Production

Future-thinking professional with an extensive background in product development, sourcing and manufacturing
•   Effective communicator, team leader, and project manager with a talent for solving issues, gaining
cooperation amongst stakeholders, and delivering quality product on time and within budget guidelines
•   Expertise includes all aspects of development, specification, manufacturing, global sourcing and
procurement, negotiating, analyzing cost, project management, and production planning
•   Build and manage calendars ensuring adherence to deadlines with vendors and cross-functional teams
•   Collaborate with vendors to drive strategies improving efficiencies, thereby reducing overall costs

Short and long-term projects providing services and consultation on development processes, raw materials,
sourcing strategies, manufacturing, planning, calendar development, costing, and tech-pack /BOM creation.
•   ARBOR COLLECTIVE: Recruited to organize and implement all aspects of the newly envisioned apparel line,
partnering with CEO and PLM's of Snow & Skate divisions to understand customer needs and expectations.
Worked with vendors to create standard processes for all development and pre-production stages, create fit
blocks for each product category, and establish overall raw material and quality standards.
•   ATELIER & REPAIRS: Worked with founders of this vintage and upcycled product line to address
infrastructure challenges. Redesigned existing manufacturing model from tailor-made to in-line production,
significantly increasing efficiency. Partnered with CEO to establish short and long-range goals to drive
process improvement, system enhancements, and organizational alignment between departments

•   Managed product creation from design hand-off to production in all apparel categories
•   Established, evaluated and managed domestic and global suppliers within the Americas, Asia, and Europe
•   Implemented and assessed standard procedures for internal and external processes and communication
•   Created product placement strategies to drive better pricing and strengthen key vendor relationships
•   Negotiated costs and terms based on target mark-up, while developing product to meet Filson standards
•   Worked with Demand Planning on MOQ, buy dates, reorder dates, lead-times, and greige commitments
•   Oversaw outcome of all production issues, vendor claims and raw material liability claims
•   Key member in ERP implementation representing all product team users; collaborated cross-functionally to standardize and test operations from start to finish, co-authored SOP's and Product Creation user manuals

Manager of Product Development, Apparel

Anticipated and resolved production issues during the development and pre-production phases, addressing
all aspects of construction, quality, fit, fabric, and finish
•   Supervised and prioritized workflow for sample room, patternmaker, and tech designer
•   Oversaw all aspects of off-price programs for discount retailers, development through production

Manager of Product Development & Pre-Production

•   Solely managed and executed all development from concept through production with full-package vendors
•   Collaborated with Creative Director on seasonal themes, new concepts, in-line edits, fit, and fabrications
•   Increased gross margin 4-8% by negotiating costs and sourcing alternatives in raw materials and finishing
•   Communicated all changes with a sufficient sense of urgency, thus allowing timely delivery of goods

Manager of Product Development, Denim

Formed a structured Pre-Production department by directing, recruiting, training, and empowering team
members within patternmaking, tech design, and sample sewing
•   Created managed all pre-production processes, revising as needed to meet changing needs of the company
•   Executed strategies to reduce overall lead-time, allowing a competitive edge in marketplace
•   Worked with patternmakers to create standard blocks for all silhouettes, ensuring consistency of fit

Pre-Production Manager

•   Intimately involved in all aspects of building the brand from initial concept to first market
•   Teamed with Director of Product Development on design, fit, wash development, and sourcing
•   Managed all prototype development, approval, production, inventory, and distribution
•   Implemented sample room inventory and maintenance systems for all fabric, trims, and salesman samples
•   Created and maintained seasonal line lists, development calendars, BOM's, and cost sheets

Design & Product Development Assistant

•   Oversaw the development, sourcing, and costing of all trims, embroideries and screen prints
•   Coordinated the production and distribution of salesman samples to 18 showrooms and global distributers
•   Delivered complete garment costing to production team

Design Assistant

Melissa Mullen is a FREELANCE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT at Development & Consultation in Los Angeles, CA.

Melissa Mullen

Melissa Mullen

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FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN & MERCHANDISING