Candice Padro Email & Phone Number

Miami, Florida, United States

Oversee local and international service and product sourcing strategy to ensure continuous availability of all required products to support demand. Develop and administer an efficient global supply chain. Identify cost-saving opportunities, create competitive environments, effectively negotiate pricing and costs, and secure contracts to assure. Recommend strategy to diversify outside of existing regions in 2024/2025.► Onboarded 3 new vendors for the organization, expanding and diversifying the vendor base to effectively support a 3X increase in product development.► Strategically onboarded 2 of those vendors from Thailand, to minimize tariff implications associated with China imports. Projections call for transitioning 20% of product development to Thailand by Q4 ’25.► Reduced the failure rate on vendor testing by 30%, largely by redistributing development to different factories as well as to the newly onboarded vendors.► Slashed development time by 6-10 weeks, and reduced late deliveries by 40%, by streamlining the product development process, overhauling the development calendar, and specifying due dates that correlated to shipping dates.

New York City Metropolitan Area

Advanced to this role to provide instrumental leadership during a period of change and transformation, as Avon pivoted into a privately-held, VC-owned entity, with all new executive leadership, product innovation strategy, and systems and processes. Chiefly liaised on behalf of Avon North America during this transition. Strategically direct the lifecycle of a diverse portfolio of 300+ products annually. Conduct extensive market research and monitor trends and new product media to ensure market competitiveness. Collaborate with cross-functional departments, monitor quality and testing, support overseas vendor relationships, and advance product development processes. Previously held the titles of Associate Manager and Assistant Manager.► Generated $1.3M, positioning jewelry to contribute 25% to total company profitability. Provided key leadership to a team of consultants conducting product development and business expansion projects.► Steered sweeping change management, to replace off-the-shelf products with exclusive offerings designed and developed from scratch. Instituted new standards for product materials, structure, quality, and testing.► Accelerated time to market by 20% by leveraging digital imagery for product design approval, and implementing a process in which vendors casted 3D images and delivered hi-res photography of samples.

Greater New York City Area

Instrumentally supported product and merchandising for department stores including T.J. Maxx, JCPenney, Hallmark, Swarovski, and Honora, as well as TV shopping networks including QVC. Scope encompassed administering international manufacturer orders, orchestrating the process from order placement to sample preparation. Designed new pieces to complement existing lines. Led buyer meetings, effectively showcasing new lines aligned with market trends and competitive insights. Collaborated with clients to conceptualize custom lines, ensuring brand consistency and delivering tailored products for special events.► Expertly analyzed buying history of key accounts, and proactively curated recommended product lines for their upcoming season, which proved key to driving a 5% increase in sales performance quarter over quarter.► Successfully launched a series of global design projects. Conceptualized, designed, and originated 120 new pieces, primarily for 7 major accounts.► Contributed to a project to style the NY Visual Showroom, and created a captivating sample line for trade shows and off-site customer meetings.

Greater New York City Area

Provided key leadership in launching the East Coast office for this California-based startup, overseeing the comprehensive expansion initiative. Managed a team of 10 product inspectors and fulfillment associates, guaranteeing streamlined operations and prompt order processing. Developed and implemented protocols and systems for inventory management, order fulfillment, inspection procedures, quality assurance, and storage. Orchestrated online merchandising, including coordinating photo shoots and creating visually appealing website layouts. Collaborated with photographers to curate captivating product shoots, ensuring the website and marketing materials featured high-quality visuals. Partnered with the merchandising department to craft engaging and accurate website copy, effectively highlighting item details and driving sales promotions.► Met customer demand and achieved high order fulfillment rates, demonstrating exceptional productivity by completing up to 800 orders daily.► Scale the East Coast Operation, more than doubling the size of the team and providing leadership and direction across the core functional areas of the operation.► Orchestrated the office relocation to a new space, strategically boosting capacity and enhancing the sales environment to improve business performance.

Bachelor'S Degree, Metal Crafts And Jewelry Design

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Fashion/Apparel Design

Activities and Societies: Vice President of the Design Innovators Club

Master'S Degree, Luxury Fashion Management