Fashion

Lifestyle

Skate

Snow

Streetwear

Surf

Swim

Over the course of my career, my reputation as an effective leader has grown and I regard challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving. I always focus on the getting the expected results, view other personnel as valuable assets, and always lead by example. These accomplishments were derived from my exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, focused business acumen, keen attention to detail, and unparalleled work ethic. To keep you abreast with some of my qualifications, here are the following qualities that I could bring to your search:

• Expertise in all aspects of seasonal line plan creation, product development, and channel strategy, as well as seasonal forecasting, category growth, project management, retail partner relations, building brand awareness, and seasonal financial alignment.
• Proven ability to stimulate team effort, lead working teams, as well as maintain positive and constructive working relationships with management and staff.
• Solid professional standards; track record of dependability; and effectiveness in handling extreme pressure and multiple tasks within fast-paced environments.
• Leverage analytical mind and critical problem-solving skills in capturing important issues and championing appropriate action plans to secure a positive outcome.


• Manage brands across multiple categories with 300+ SKUs which includes seasonal line plan creation & development, channel strategy, pricing and gross target margin, seasonal forecast to meet financial alignment and SKU efficiency goals
• Manage programs for partner retailers from conception to production; Kohls, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, JCPenny and Macy’s
• Develop retailer brand programs, prepare customer profiles, make product suggestions and work closely with Account Manager to ensure retailer needs are met
• Manage and approve all production products and artwork for in-house, private label and licensor brands 
• Work directly with licensing partner Discovery / Animal Planet on all new and current product and artwork to ensure they meet the licensor requirements 
• Brief and collaborate with the Design team while also evaluating ongoing in-line products and styleguides to ensure continuous improvements and identify new category opportunities
• Work with outside photo studios on product imagery, advise on set design, models, apparel and approve images via email or attend photoshoots 
• Provided feedback and suggestions on an ongoing basis to cross-functional teams based on research of trend and market information, both qualitative and quantitative 
• Work with design team to create concept, develop product and review samples
• Negotiate cost with multiple overseas suppliers and assign product spec and provide feedback on issues and award business 
• Work directly with overseas partners to ensure they understand the product design 
• Participate in sourcing fabrication, cost and negotiate lead times with suppliers 

Brand Manager

• Manage programs for partner retailers from conception to production; Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Costco, Sam’s Club 
• Work with design team to create concept, develop product and review samples
• Negotiate cost with multiple overseas suppliers and assign product spec and provide feedback on issues and award business 
• Manage and maintain accurate records of product details, factory information, materials, and dimensions 
• Help create and manage item numbers, UPC, Master Case and Inner Case codes 


Product & Development Manager 

• Managed both brands across multiple categories with 300+ SKUs which includes seasonal line plan creation & development, channel strategy, pricing and gross target margin 
• Worked directly with overseas suppliers to ensure they understand the product design 
• Participate in sourcing fabrication, cost and negotiate lead times with suppliers 


Product Line Manager

• Managed global Women’s line of 100+ SKUs and evolved best-selling styles to engage new customers
• Managed global Kid’s line of 80+ SKUs, implemented smaller sizes 
• Increased global business of Kid’s product by 2% by introducing two new kid’s footwear programs 
• Managed all global SMU request, assist Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Journeys, Buckle, DSW and REI in SMU selection, responsible for all samples and ensured delivery of efficient product 
• Implemented and launched SMU request form and time-line, which improved overall process for each department and due date efficiency 
• Assisted in seasonal forecast, to meet financial alignment and SKU efficiency goals 
• Briefed and collaborated with Design team while also evaluating ongoing in-line product to ensure continuous improvements and identify new category opportunities 
• Owned and executed seasonal meetings such as pre-lines, initial and final line reviews, costing and Key Account meetings




ASSOCIATE GLOBAL PRODUCT LINE MANAGER - WOMENS & KIDS

PRODUCT LINE COORDINATOR
Sanuk (Deckers Brand) / Irvine, Ca / August 2013 - October 2014

• Flex PLM Super User, manage and input all data into Flex PLM , style, color, MSRP, and features and benefits,
train all new users on system
• Product knowledge educator - travel to store openings and educate store employees on product; educate new
corporate employees on past and current product
• Participated in key accounts product knowledge videos for their employees
• Created product knowledge training guide for domestic and international use
• Attended Customer Experience Conference in San Fransisco to better understand how consumers react to
product and retail displays
• Attended and participated in seasonal catalog photoshoots, providing product styling direction and ensured all
merchandising and product/marketing stories get photographed
• Collaborated on new style names with Marketing and provided legal background check
• Assisted Designers with CADs when needed
• Supported Development and Marketing/Graphics as Fit/Foot Model for new styles, catalog and go-to market
assets

PRODUCT LINE COORDINATOR

eCOMMERCE COORDINATOR
J Brand / Los Angeles, Ca / April 2011 - August 2013

• Supported website operations and delivered a premier online shopping experience
• Displayed high level of digital visual merchandising, built category collections on the website and maintained/refreshed
products found in each category collection deemed important for a given timeframe
• Managed and reviewed all product assets for Men’s and Women’s denim and Ready-To-Wear, ie product copy,
images and accuracy
• Passed weekly product information to eCommerce partner, ie product copy, product imagery, and revised assets
• Established collaborative relationships with the Allocation/Customer Service teams to ensure timely delivery of
product
• Assisted with category updates, stories for email, homepage, category pages and advise of product availability to
ensure the promotion items are in stock or will arrive in a timely manne

eCOMMERCE COORDINATOR

Octavia Alkema is a Brand Manager at Merchsource LLC in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

Octavia Alkema — Brand Manager at Merchsource LLC

Octavia Alkema

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