Strategic Production and Technical leader with a strong vision, passion, and business insight. Delivering quality product and profit are the utmost importance whilst inspiring and empowering the team to make it happen.
I joined SPOKE, (online only menswear start-up brand) as a consultant, to increase the size of their product range, improve their supplier base and increase margin. Within a few months I was asked to join the team full time, I currently work three days a week for them. Managing the design, product development and production teams. Ensuring that all product meets the brands USP which is the fit with each style coming many sizes and builds. Ensuring that quality, margin and on time deliveries are achieved by using both Fully Factored and CMT sourcing.
Executive management team role, accountable for managing the product development team, fabric buyers, garment technologists, pattern cutters and sample machinists across all menswear, womenswear and accessories collections. Delivery of the Collection with all product teams ensuring brand values, margins, price architecture and quality are achieved. Key Roles and Responsibilities •Define the Design/Buying/Production calendar and manage critical paths closely with the teams from sketch to bulk delivery. •Manage the product development process, developing a commercial/affordable collection in line with the B&M range plan and encapsulating the creative vision. •Manage all supplier relationships, mills, and factories. •Define and monitor Factory strategy to maximise quality, delivery, and margin. •Set seasonal target margins by supplier and department. •Sign off factory capacity booking each season. •Cover all final price negotiations to fully maximise margin. •Oversee and drive technical team to improve quality level across all categories. •Manage sampling and Production Budgets. Look to improve cost efficiencies within the department and its operations. •Oversee Ethical and Compliance.
Central leadership role accountable for managing the production team, garment technologists, pattern cutters and sample machinists across all menswear, womenswear, junior and accessories collections. Delivery of the Collection with all product teams ensuring brand values, margins, price architecture and quality are achieved by using both Fully Factored and CMT sourcing. Since joining Jigsaw in 2011 the intake margin increased by over 8% points by 2013, using a new superior supplier base, but with a higher quality product and still maintaining the use of noble fibres for 85% of the range and delivered on time. Key Roles and Responsibilities •Source New suppliers. •CSR •Ensure production deadlines are met. •Improve Intake margin. •Budgets. •Provide leadership and establish a strategic vision for the Production and Technical teams through the garment process from design concept through production and into store. •Establish global guidelines across supplier base. •Engage and influence across all departments •Team training and appraisals.
Karen Millen a Global Brand with over 300 own stores and franchise partners, producing over 2.3 million units per year. Provide leadership and establish a strategic vision for the Production/Technical team through the garment process from design concept to production. Managing a team of 28, ensuring margin, quality deliveries are met using the correct supplier base. Within my time at Karen Million it grew from a £90M turnover to £250M company.
Mulberry a luxury lifestyle brand producing, clothing, accessories and homeware. Joined Mulberry in the early stages of its re branding to set up the sourcing/technical department to include sourcing new supplier base for all product areas. Within my time the turnover increased from £10M to £80M within 5 years.