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Director Fabric Research & Development Resume Example

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DIRECTOR FABRIC RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Summary

Results driven fabric executive with strength as a motivated leader, proven track-record to build, coach and mentor high-performance teams. I am a proactive leader with strength in communication and collaboration. Proficient in leveraging my extensive global knowledge of textile mills and knowledgeable in textile development.

Skills
  • Fabrication experience
  • Extensive research capabilities
  • Trend Research
  • Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Web PDM, IPLM
  • Auburn University AMDP Advisory Board Member
Experience
Director Fabric Research & Development - Lands' End (New York, New York)December 2016 - Current
  • Lead research and development of raw materials, creative direction, trend innovation and technology that is brand appropriate for Lands' End while adhering to cost strategy and testing requirements.
  • Develop and manage vendor based strategy and mill matrix in partnership with overseas offices and Senior Sourcing Directors.
  • Direct and manage all fabric research and development process for knit and woven fabrics (womens, mens, kids).
  • Bi-annual overseas travel to Europe to attend Premiere Vision, Texworld and Far East for seasonal fabric research.
  • Create and implement tracking tools and new raw materials process for fabric department in order to efficiently document all seasonal developments.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to strategize on speed to market initiatives in relation to raw materials.
  • Identify and execute fabric sourcing strategies for core programs to try and leverage same supply chain base.
  • Train, hire and rebuild fabric team for Lands' End.
Senior Manager Fabric Research & Development - Tory Burch (New York, NY)March 2012 - December 2016
  • Develop and source woven fabrics and leathers for RTW that is innovative and brand appropriate for Tory Burch brand while still meeting target prices that align with merchandising line plan.
  • Responsible for creating seasonal fabric trend boards for presentation to Tory Burch.
  • Manage all development process for woven fabrics, leathers and furs to include internal and external market research, presentation of raw materials and daily communication with vendors and overseas offices.
  • Collaborate with Vice President of Sourcing/ Design Operations and Director of Raw Materials Far East to publish Tory Burch seasonal calendar with focus on critical fabric dates throughout RTW product life cycle.
  • Partner with cross functional teams in design, product development, production and merchandising to trouble shoot and resolve any fabric development issues that may impact key dates for sample and bulk production.
  • Bi-annual overseas travel to Europe to attend Premiere Vision, Le Cuir and Texworld.
  • Partner with design to collaborate on special projects that include red carpet events, celebrity client dressing and seasonal runway shows.
  • Design ambassador for PDM support with focus on fabric page.
  • Manage hiring, training, performance evaluation and succession planning for fabric associate/ fabric assistant.
  • Manage yearly travel and seasonal fabric development budget to ensure dollar amounts do not exceed target allocations.
Senior Manager Fabric Research & Development - Ann Taylor (New York, NY)May 2005 - March 2012
  • Manage all aspects of woven and knit fabric research and development and identify key fabric trends that are applicable to Ann Taylor brand and make recommendations to design.
  • Build relationships with senior level managers and cross-functional partners in design, product development, merchandising and production in order to build seasonal assortments that align with corporate strategies.
  • Collaborate with Vice President of Design for all product categories on seasonal trend direction and fabric developments that are brand appropriate, achieve initial mark up targets and meet merchandising requirements and needs for line assortment.
  • Bi-annual travel to Far East and Europe to research new seasonal trends and meet with mills to review seasonal fabric collections.
  • Daily communication with overseas offices and mills to follow up on all seasonal developments and trouble shoot or resolve any potential quality issues.
  • Oversee and manage fabric associate manager on all fabric developments and act as a mentor to ensure development and career growth based on performance assessment and goals.
Director of Fabric Research, Print & Pattern - Tommy Hilfiger USA., Inc. (New York, NY)September 2003 - May 2005
  • Collaborate with design teams on all initial fabric trends and concept ideas for seasonal line.
  • Source and develop fabrics from Asia and Europe for all woven fabric product categories.
  • Work with design and print studios in researching print and pattern concept ideas for seasonal line and manage CAD design to reinterpret original artwork and make more commercially viable for Tommy Hilfiger brand.
  • Maintain daily verbal and written communication with overseas office, vendors and internal departments to insure proper management and flow of seasonal product line.
  • Responsible for all approval and color comments to overseas office and vendors on all seasonal color palette developments, handlooms and strike-offs.
  • Manage fabric assistant by overseeing and delegating general administrative duties, ordering proto yardages and monitoring flow of proto sample yardage dates to insure proper execution and delivery for seasonal proto garment presentation to Tommy Hilfiger and senior level management team.
  • Execute and maintain all general data information in ISIS for all seasonal fabric developments.
  • Bi-annual overseas trip to Far East and Europe for mill and garment factory visits and attend international textile trade shows for seasonal market research and fabric trend ideas.
Education and Training
Bachelor of Arts in Apparel Design And TextilesDecember 1993Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Industry Related Courses1997Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
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Resume Overview

Companies Worked For:

  • Lands' End
  • Tory Burch
  • Ann Taylor
  • Tommy Hilfiger USA., Inc.

School Attended

  • Auburn University
  • Fashion Institute of Technology

Job Titles Held:

  • Director Fabric Research & Development
  • Senior Manager Fabric Research & Development
  • Director of Fabric Research, Print & Pattern

Degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts in Apparel Design And Textiles
    Industry Related Courses

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