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Director of Project Development

Top Management

During my career I have accumulated 17 years of experience working for footwear major footwear brands and private label companies. Diverse experience encompasses every stage of the footwear process from sourcing factories/material suppliers, product development, negotiating, commercialization, production, and QC. 

Accomplished in evaluating and certifying new sources for all footwear related materials, components, moulds and tools. Possess years of experience collaborating or managing OEM/ODM factories and material suppliers.

I’ve opened and managed the daily operations of two offices for Vibram and Montrail (Columbia) based in China managing development and production in multiple OEM/ODM factories. This also included the recruitment and training of teams of local staff for all critical roles.

Over the years I have developed technical skills capable of working with lasts, upper patterns, 2D blueprints for outsole, midsole, insole moulds and a variety of tooling.  Experienced at creating material spec sheets, tech packages, developing prototypes, CFM samples and SMS. Responsible for managing and creating SOP’s for QC teams for a variety of footwear related materials and components and finished goods.

I’m adept at working with a wide range of materials developing projects using knitted, woven, non-woven, mesh, canvas, and leather. Many projects I’ve developed required sourcing or the development of different materials to meet the technical or cosmetic requirements of the design.

Knowledgeable working with rubber, EVA (compression molded and injected), PU (carousel open pour and injected), TPU, TPR, foam PU, Elastomer, Recycling (PU, EVA & Rubber) to name a few. Utilizing material from rejected production developed recycled PU sheets. 

In addition to my 17 years’ experience working for brands. I also have 8 years with Orisol Asia in footwear manufacturing equipment and operations.  Directly responsible for the development of projects proving the advantages by utilization of advanced computer stitching equipment, automation, innovation, and chemical processes.  This Resulted in a reduction of labor, material wastage, rejects and increase productivity.  Achieved the successful installation of innovative equipment at numerous factories in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Throughout my time in Asia, I have managed numerous teams of local professionals both direct and indirect reports in multiple countries.  This also included on occasion managing multiple teams simultaneously working on projects in different countries. Experienced managing projects in Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Philippines. Accomplished at developing all categories of footwear across casual, dress, boots, slippers, sandals, and athletic for women, men, children, and infants. 
 
During my 26 years living and working in Asia. I have built-up an extensive network throughout Asia of factories, suppliers, and other footwear professionals.  During my time living in Asia, I have visited and evaluated hundreds of factories from material and component suppliers to OEM/ODM factories in 10 different countries. I am experienced in developing, sourcing, and manufacturing all types of footwear from every category ranging from dress, casual, athletic, outdoor and slippers. 

I constantly seek to challenge myself to further my knowledge and experience. This has helped me develop unique expertise that is a potential great match to a range of roles. I’ve demonstrated excellence in effective, creative, and results-oriented leadership capabilities, which makes me confident in my abilities to excel and build value on any team.

I am a strong internal and external communicator, skilled at cultivating long-lasting collaborative partnerships by transcending cultural barriers. Enjoys working with multiple nationalities, understands how to create an atmosphere of comradery. 


General Manager, China											
D30 Ltd | Dongguan City, Guangdong, D3O Ltd 

Directed daily activities across five OEM factories. Overseeing all business operations in China, 
Including daily operations, supply chain, sourcing, costing, material development, OEM production

•Collaboration with all internal & external stakeholders across product development, commercialization, production trials, responsible sourcing, logistics and quality teams ensuring on time delivery of all NPI and successfully achieving all KPIs.

•Coordinated with customers to meet, review, update and maintain compliance standards annually.

•Negotiated pricing for all materials and finished goods with all factories/suppliers to reach target profit margins.

•Sourced and developed new suppliers for PU, EVA elastomer molds, KPU tools and die cutters leading  to improved overall quality, shorter lead times and reduction of mold/tooling investment by 20%.

•Conducted process analysis and issued new standard operating procedures  to reduce material waste and chemical consumption by 15-20%, applied new controls to quantify waste daily to ensure continued optimization. 

•Influence product manufacturability, Improved process controls resulted in cost savings benefits based on design modifications.

•Generated new and improved operational structure for current systems to include supplier agreements, scheduling, and production planning to augment business efficiency.

•Contributed to the research and development followed by the implementation of new and existing materials, components,  manufacturing specifications impacting design and improving the manufacturing process.

•Utilizing rejected product to develop recycled PU sheets. Also worked on Gear4 phone cases using D3O Bio and D3O Impact protection materials.




General Manager

Orisol Asia Ltd is a designer, producer, and marketer of innovative shoemaking machinery with emphasis in stitching methodologies and AI solutions: led lifecycle development for automated and robotic equipment for footwear manufacturing

•Implemented new Lean manufacturing processes that delivered 15% reduction in labor costs through introduction of robotics and spray applications; also transformed manufacturing quality in production cycle by creating uniformity in products.

•Influenced factory production and drove change to achieve production objectives through innovation. Identified and recommend and implement changes to improve productivity, standardize processes and reduce costs by demonstrating potential product improvements through utilization of Orisol technology.

•Provided expertise on style selections, and modifications of product design to maximize beneficial results in production.

•Implemented recommended process improvements (SOP) for production in factories multiple factories in Vietnam, Indonesia

•Managed teams of local engineers developing customer specific projects in Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia & China


Recruited by QPP’s CEO to create a strategic business model for custom jewelry and accessories. Sourced material suppliers for all materials, Managed daily operations for mass production of products, including production scheduling, inventory control, and troubleshooting as needed.

•Designed and directed the creation of an automated manufacturing factory from the ground-up via concept development, equipment, material sourcing and testing as well as efficiently training production & QC teams

•Successfully achieved ISO 9001 certification, maintained compliance standards in accordance with Malaysian law.

•Sourced all raw materials necessary for production. Negotiated with raw material suppliers to maintain profit margins for finished goods.

•Identified and implemented continuous improvements to the sourcing and manufacturing process

•Recruited, trained, and directed a team of marketing professionals, ensuring that all members understood the broad vision of the project while executing their roles generating in sales of $3 million within the first 3 years

•Presented marketing pitches in a meeting setting to potential clients both local and regional

•Delegated responsibilities to team members while clearly communicating what is expected of them to maintain synergy throughout the project


Managing Director

Recruited and trained sales team to market product in Thailand. In addition to the full office staff consisting of accounting, logistics and general office support, warehouse supervisor and general warehouse staff. 

Developed a successful marketing strategy to introduce the Thai market the high-quality standards of Studex products. Mentored sales teams to exceed monthly sales targets consistently. Using my network established exclusive distributors in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt.


Opened their first office in China. Responsible for daily operations of the office and production in two factories. 

 Recruited and trained a team of locals for Logistics, development, commercialization, and QC. Collaborated daily with factories on  Production to identify and resolve any issues. Collaborated with all internal and external stakeholders on the creation of product brief for all development. 

Lead the sample room in the development of all projects, pushing innovation whenever possible. Ensured all projects meet required standards for design, fit, performance and cost. 

Reviewed and approved all spec sheets,  tech packages, blueprints, gauges for moulds, tooling, and jigs used in development and mass production.  Wrote all QC procedures, working closely with my team and the factories to ensure achievement of high-quality standards. 

Established new sources for materials (leather, synthetics, EVA, and rubber) for development and production of technical hiking footwear, casual hikers, and technical ultra-running/trail running shoes. 

Successfully sourced and established development and production with a highly skilled running shoe factory to develop/produce a line of technical ultra-running shoes.  

Negotiated pricing with suppliers and factories to guarantee maximum profit margins.

Country Manager

Recruited by Reebok MD to create a semi-automated computer stitching line producing Reebok classic styles.

•Worked with factory CS team to understand the benefit of using vision technology computer stitching machines in mass production.

•Created the SOP for integrating the CS machines into mass production.

•Re-engineered the upper patters to maximize use of the CS machine in the minimal number of passes.

•Trained factory in the making of technical pallets to ensure the process is stable and efficient.

•Established two automated vision technology sewing production lines that improved on productivity and reduce labor costs by 10% - 15%

Computer Stitching-Senior manager

Orisol Asia Ltd is a leader in innovative equipment creating advanced computer stitching equipment, cost saving automated production lines and advanced chemical process used in footwear, apparel and hang bags manufacturing.

•Spearheaded manufacturing strategic partnerships factories in China and with Nike, Adidas, Reebok, New balance, and Asics to significantly streamline costs and operational efficiencies for each partner with implementation of Orisol computer stitching equipment.

•Traveled to Israel for training on developing stitching programs, pallet design and general operation of several different sewing machines.

•Collaborated with Italian design team to develop all prototype moulds.

•Sourced a mould factory, provided instructions how to improve on their capabilities to achieve the quality standards needed for long term collaboration.

•Working from blueprints, confirmed the 3D wooden model prior to opening test mould.

•Oversaw mould testing, recommended any necessary functional and cosmetic changes for modification.  

•Reviewed mould after modifications before signing off.

•Worked with rubber factory to do testing to ensure outsoles met performance requirements and durability, reviewed results before signing off.

Vice General manager

Private label sourcing, development, and manufacturing company.

•Conducted market research regarding current and future trends to develop seasonal product lines consisting of women’s, men’s, and children’s shoes. 

•Partnered with major retailers to created seasonal collections based on shared market research. Seasonal included casual, dress, sandals, slippers, and boots.

•Traveled to Asia to source factories capable of producing a variety of shoes based on customer requirements.

•Lead the development process selecting the proper upper materials and colors as bottoms.  Oversaw the production of confirmation samples from multiple sources in Taiwan, Korea, China, Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

•Review all samples with customers, if modifications were requested, communicated with the factory the necessary changes.  Once signed samples were received from the customer.  Returned to Asia to verify all production materials, sign off on spec sheets and monitored initial stages of production.

•Sourced customer specific packaging requirements ensured each factory had visual samples and packing requirements.

Product Line Manager

•Received products briefs from design and marketing team.  Created material spec sheets to be sent to source factory to begin the development process.

•Traveled overseas to review development projects, verified all upper, lining, applications, laces and bottom units were correct.  Worked with fit testing to ensure proper fit and function was incorporated into all styles. Reviewed first round of samples, recommended any necessary changes.

•Collected all samples from several factories in Taiwan, Korea, and China to carry back to the US for further review.  Communicated any requested modifications to the samples based on tear down meetings.  Followed up with factory to get new samples ASAP.  Once samples were approved, created the tech packages, signed off on all projects.

•Successfully sourced new factories and material suppliers during trips to Asia.

Product Development Manager

•Responsible for the development of “special make-ups” for key accounts and country specific styles requested by the international sales department.

•Received products briefs from key accounts manager and international sales department.  Created material spec sheets to be sent to source factory to begin the development process.

•Organized meetings with all stakeholders to review all incoming samples from source factories, held meeting with all stakeholders.  Worked with fit testing to ensure proper fit and function was incorporated into all styles. Communicated and followed up on any modification requests.

•After samples were approved by key accounts and international sales department.  Created tech packages, sent them to the designated factory.

Tom Sights is a Director of Project Development at D3O Ltd in Bangkok, 10. View their experience, skills and work history on Malakye — the professional…

Tom Sights — Director of Project Development at D3O Ltd

Tom Sights

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