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OBJECTIVE: Motivated and creative team member with a background in creating, building and managing product categories from initial concept to completion, including product line management, product development, merchandising, tech design and apparel design. 

-	Created and managed operational and strategic goals for the team, providing category insights and proposals to the business by analyzing market and consumer data 
-	Responsible for overall product management and P&L for Apparel, Logo wear, Handwear, Headwear and Belts resulting in over 40% growth across all categories
-	Created, managed and maintained product line plan and seasonal trackers
-	Responsible for briefing customer research, market conditions and status/activity of competing organizations/brands 
-	Executed product briefs for all categories and branded/logo wear in apparel and accessories
-	Responsible for product performance and feature requirements by ensuring they meet overall brand strategy
-	Led product design, graphic design, materials, quality and sourcing on all products
-	Continually analyzed historical and current sales data by category, channel and consumer and sku level
-	Responsible for implementation of business plans by ensuring all new launches of new products across each region meet launch expectations and timing with Sales and Marketing
-	Designed and Developed Men’s & Women’s cut and sew and knits for all in-line products
-	Initiated and implemented successful new launch of all categories through re-sourcing, strategy, margin gain and growth
-	Created new product calendar, softgoods quality manual, seasonal road-maps and go to market plans
-	Responsible for recommendation and implementation of improvement in existing products and product lifecycle planning
-	Managed all creative, innovation, silhouette, print / pattern, color, and materials direction for all categories
-	Created all Visual Line Plans and seasonal design direction planning across all categories 
-	Key point of contact for product-related communications with Sales and Marketing
-	Managed and analyze costing from vendors and worked on maintaining and improving margin requirements 
-	Created new seasonal collections and product strategy presentations

CATEGORY MANAGER, APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

-	Developed Men’s, Women’s and kids cut and sew performance apparel for in-line products
-	Developed Men’s and Women’s knit sweaters for in-line products
-	Managed and tracked style development according to established product calendar
-	Pioneered and managed the Product Wear Testing Program and evaluated testing data on advanced and in-line products
-	Executed all details of tech pack development including bill of materials, measurement specifications, construction details and points of measure through utilization of Excel and Product Line Management (PLM) systems.
-	Responsible for pre-costing all apparel products and worked with Operations and Merchandising to review product cost and focus on value engineering to achieve company margin goals
-	Managed fit sessions and executed fit intent through clear analysis, documentation and communication for fit standards
-	Managed fit model bookings and scheduling for apparel fit sessions
-	Developed and managed yarn development process for sweaters
-	Traveled and communicated with domestic and international VF Asia offices, factories and trade shows
-	Managed Junior Developer tasks, including knit accessories

PRODUCT DEVELOPER

-	Directed, initiated and managed all aspects of design, development and merchandising for apparel including women’s running and lifestyle products in tops, bottoms, outerwear and sports bras
-	Responsible for entire product development process and tech packs, including sketches, materials, specs and construction
-	Designed and developed all apparel including garment, fabric, trims and textile prints
-	Researched trend forecasting needs and interpreted ideas for seasonal product strategies
-	Created development timeline for multiple seasons to track product development process
-	Managed wholesale and direct to consumer product lines and pricing
-	Responsible for various operational tasks including pricing, margin standards, SKU management and line planning
-	Managed and maintained all key system work associated with product creation
-	Created retail account specific visual merchandising and product assortments
-	Managed any additional staff needs when contract help was needed
-	Prepared and assisted in seasonal product reviews to cross functional team members
-	Developed product briefs to contain brand information on pricing, competitive analysis, forecasting and colorway suggestions 
-	Traveled domestically and internationally for trade shows, accounts and to tour factories

DIRECTOR of PRODUCT CREATION

-	Created, managed and organized whole in house department from bottom-up for technical packages
-	Managed wear test and fit evaluations from multiple body types and sizes
-	Evaluated and commented on prototypes, fit samples, sales samples, pre-production samples and top of production samples
-	Sourced and developed fabrics and trims for cross-functional products to ensure timely testing and approvals for production
-	Communicated daily with manufacturers in Asia to ensure execution of product details and maintain calendar timelines
-	Identified, requested and approved lab dips and strike-offs for SMS and production
-	Created and developed Point of Measure and Quality Assurance manuals
-	Managed development calendar and communicated status details to rest of team
-	Negotiated material and garment costs, minimum order quantities, and lead-times with factories to reach financial goals 

DESIGNER AND DEVELOPER

-	Designed original art for screen printing, vinyl, embroidery and heat transfer application for apparel, banners, decals and signs
-	Managed production workflow from customer care to product execution and communicated costing requirements to customers
-	Recreated art that came in unacceptable formats or poor quality and provided suggestions to customers for best final product
-	Created color separations and film output for correct product application


PRODUCT MANAGER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER

-	Account manager for Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Company
-	Managed communication between factory and customer on a daily basis and developed cost sheets for customer approval
-	Responsible for tracking various wet and dry processes in wash approvals, for targets and shade band submits
-	Communicated fit, construction and wash comments from customer to factory
-	Controlled trim revisions from customers and handled revised bill of materials


MERCHANDISER

Keystone Workwear - Created tech packs, tech sketches, folding and packing specs for Men’s Painter’s Wear Pants
Design Works - Created tech packs and analyzed fit for Men’s and Women’s apparel resort wear for Island Company
Dara Gear - Created tech packs and analyzed fit for Men’s and Women’s Muay Thai Gear in woven and knit tops and bottoms
Pearl Izumi - Created tech packs for Shimano products including Men’s and Women’s cycling apparel 


FREELANCE CONTRACTOR

-	Developed Kids, Men’s and Women’s apparel in woven and knit tops and bottoms for Crocs and Ocean Minded product lines
-	Developed Kids and Adult accessories in woven and knit hats, scarves, mittens and bags
-	Created technical packages that included tech sketches, construction details, measurements and material details
-	Identified, requested and approved color lab dips for sales sample and production cloth
-	Worked with designers to execute initial designs into final garment specifications for apparel and accessories
-	Traveled domestically and internationally to tour factories and oversee production
-	Managed and tracked apparel and accessories as they progressed through stages of the approval process to final production
-	Evaluated and commented on prototypes, fit samples, sales samples, pre-production samples and top of production samples
-	Communicated garment and accessory fit and construction comments to vendors 
-	Created new point of measure sketches and descriptions for new product categories (swimwear, intimates and accessories)

-	Responsible for building and creating a new product category within the company of Boys and Girl’s sportswear, including woven and knit tops, bottoms, denim and outerwear
-	Designed and developed Boys, Girl’s and Junior’s School Uniforms in woven and knit tops and bottoms and added toddler sizing to School Uniforms to keep up with market demand
-	Designed and developed Women’s Workwear in woven and knit tops and bottoms, including denim and outerwear
-	Implemented new fit for entire category of Women’s tops and bottoms
-	Researched core customers in working environments and focus groups to address consumers direct needs 
-	Conducted kid’s and women’s fit tests and consumer wear tests
-	Designed and developed trim and cloth from concept to completion
-	Identified, requested and approved color lab dips for production cloth
-	Researched consumer needs and trends to interpret ideas for product development seasonal strategies
-	Responsible for in-line presentations to accounts and national sales force
-	Created tech packs that included measurement and material specs, target landed costs, construction details, fit comments
-	Worked with factories, quality, engineering and pattern departments to resolve production, trim and/or quality problems
-	Assisted in producing and led wardrobe supervision for national sales meeting fashion show
-	Maintained carry-over product and updated existing styles with market trends thru evaluating SKU productivity
-	Traveled domestically and internationally to tour fabric vendors, trade shows, factories and oversee production
-	Worked with focus groups, customers and sales force to identify market needs
-	Responsible for projects and tasks that the Merchandising Assistant worked with
-	Initiated and developed color and trend boards for new product presentations
-	Determined new product pricing based upon competitor research, sales department input and margin requirements
-	Researched and tracked worldwide fashion trends via trade publications and comparison shopping for future product lines


PRODUCT MANAGER  

-	Designed and developed Men’s workwear bottoms for Spring 2006 season
-	Managed t-shirt and flannel top development to final production release
-	Responsible for wardrobe and styling for photo shoots and inaugural International and Licensing Fashion Show 
-	Organized and initiated set-up process of various trade shows, styled mannequins and stage set-ups for ease of execution
-	Maintained system requirements in product development process including fabric and trim library set-up
-	Assisted in set-up of new retail outlet store and arranged visual merchandising displays


MERCHANDISING ASSISTANT

Find out detailed information about Keli Blake,  in Longmont, CO

Keli Blake: in Longmont, CO

Keli Blake

Magpul Industries

SmartWool

Skirt Sports

Skirt Sports

Instant Imprints

Grupo Denim

SELF-EMPLOYED

Crocs

Williamson-Dickie Mfg

Williamson-Dickie Mfg

Texas Christian University