Alison Arruda Email & Phone Number

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Contributed to the Muscle Up program with gross margin improvements of 500 bps 2016 – 2021 by focusing on driving product margins via rigorous Design to Value initiatives. Apparel Margins improved to 65% in 2022.Provide on-demand daily costing support to cross-functional teams - reporting on margins, shortfalls, FOBs, etc. Edit and publish margin reports at key calendar milestones.Contributed to the creation of two PLM portals, providing insight and expertise to create the optimal format for E2E product creation including complex BOM, pattern, marketing and costing detail. Trained 50+ employees on each system and assisted in troubleshooting issues in conjunction with our DevOps team.Organized and executed Reebok's first Apparel Costing Summit in 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, creating an opportunity for supplier transparency and idea sharing as we created the new costing framework post-ABG acquisition.Function as extended Product Developer, providing predictive costing, timeline execution, sample feedback and other organizational functions as needed.Create and facilitate branded trainings designed to inform team members of the many facets of product operations - costing, manufacturing, pattern, finance, etc.Provide technical costing expertise to engineer product to cost and enable design to profitability.Support in managing globally assigned cost drivers and in developing an E2E costing framework to enable savings opportunities and ensure cost optimization by creating a fact-based predictable costing atmosphere.Support in developing costing tools to marketing, design and development to optimize product value and align target and cost throughout the product lifecycle.Support the definition and monitoring of product costing performance at specific milestones to ensure continuity and progress.Create and maintain a seasonal databases to assist with the design and development of key franchise apparel items.

Fairhaven, Ma

Worked with design team to source & purchase quality raw materials for all finished goods including, but not limited to leather, coated canvas, nylon, hardware and internal componentsDeveloped SOPs to improve finished goods quality and created, tracked and reviewed SEF forms quarterly for all newnessEngaged in pre-market weekly meetings to discuss and suggest construction and material changes to ensure a top functioning, quality final productActed as a company liaison between domestic and international factories, ensuring production continuity across all facilities. Responsible for communicating any mid-market construction changes, quality issues or rolling design changesAssisted in the allocation and production schedules of on-site and worldwide factories to ensure both quality and timelines were metVersed in lean manufacturing principles and their implementation and managementCreated an internal wear-test program using a focus group of consumers to satisfy the aesthetic and functional needs of our customerWorked with design, pattern making, engineering and production to create Tech Packs and follow PLM from inception to final production runSourced domestic and international raw and sample materials, filling the direct needs of the design, direct-to-consumer and sales teamsLaunched and managed an inspection process for domestically made and imported finished goods; auditing and communicating damages in a timely, organized mannerResearched and executed all federal and international labeling compliance regulations as it pertains to leathergoods, fur and various other textilesCreated and maintained packing specifications for all consumer goods to ensure quality and aesthetic integrity was maintained during transit and in consumer hands Worked directly with online content director and marketing to create a "special care" section for various consumer goods and managed the creation of paper goods to convey a message of leather education

New Bedford, Ma

• Edited copy for real estate and retail advertisements• Created and proofed advertisements using Adobe Suite• Worked with advertising representatives to ensure the customer was satisfied with their advertisement• Wrote reviews and feature stories complete with interviews and photography covering local, regional, and national events• Wrote stories logging local travel and “places to see” in the South Coast and beyond• Attended weekly meetings, submitted weekly feature ideas, and attended writing workshops• Worked to promote the online as well as the print product at local events, keeping in contact with business owners, event planners, and local art and music talent