Melissa Collins

Sr. Manager Product Development that guides and supports the Product Development and Technical Design team from Design hand-off through final Production. Key contributor to cross-functional teams to define efforts to execute the commercialization of Denim, Knits, Sweaters, Woven’s and Outerwear product for House Brands Flint & Tinder, Proof, Wellen and Wills.

Product Development Manager supporting Design, Development, and Technical Design in commercialization of Denim,Knits,Outerwear & Home Accessory product for Filson and CCF brands.

Women’s-Loungewear, Intimates & Swimwear

Men’s Tailored Clothing & Accessories

Children’s- Knit & Woven Bottoms/Tops

• Responsible for the development and production of apparel and accessories for sportswear categories. • Manage design’s visionary requirements to develop products that ensure brand compliance standards for quality, functionality and price. • Manage the creation and management of technical packages and sample request for assigned styles. • Manage all prototypes; size sets, pre-production and TOP samples. Accurately update technical packages with comments, correction or updates from product review sessions. • Manage fit sessions with merchandising and design to insure proper silhouettes and fits were executed. • Provide technical solutions and support to relevant designs. Collaborate with design team on style modifications needed to meet Gross Margin goals per category. • Manage the product testing, for outlined programs, and clearly communicated testing requirements, to all vendors throughout the development process. • Manage all costs related to product development process raw materials; fabric, trims accessories. • Collaborate with design team to look for innovative and technologically advanced products, fabrics, trims, and color trends that meet the needs of the brand allowing the company to drive sales and profits to meet or exceed the company’s overall strategy and goals. • Manage seasonal time and action calendars to ensure product development, sampling, and production milestones are met for a timely delivery of quality garments at a competitive cost. • Manage day-to-day operations and system updates to include production delivery summary, purchase order summary, sample delivery summary, and weekly factory work in progress reports

• Maintained the ownership of the product creation process from design handoff to production ready assigned products, with an emphasis on quality product development and timely completion of tasks in accordance with brand calendar. • Maintained the creation and management of technical packages and sample request for assigned styles. • Reviewed prototypes for quality execution, fit, and provided information to factories in order to make necessary changes that were clear and organized. • Lead fit sessions with merchandising and design to insure proper silhouette and fits were executed. • Worked with sample sewers and patternmakers for in house-prototyping. • Ensured that new projects are produced in accordance with cost targets (pre-coting and final confirmation) • Ensured that all materials, prototypes and development samples were fully tested to ensure they adhere to our quality standards set forth. • Communicated and coordinated all necessary information that supports on time delivery for assigned styles.

• Managed all production activities from product placement to in-store delivery. • Managed seasonal product group calendar to ensure product development, sampling, pre-production and production requirements are met for timely delivery. • Established and maintained suppliers capabilities and capacity on an ongoing basis to ensure knowledge of possible production moves. • Negotiated delivery terms and first cost based on target prices. Managed all costs related to production. • Communicated with suppliers on issues of manufacturing policies, facility requirements, equipment, quality and inventory control. • Communicated daily with domestic and overseas suppliers/agents on various production issues.