Advising footwear manufacturing and brand partners regarding product development, product design, and construction of GORETEX® footwear. Driving operational efficiency and quality management for the production of GORETEX® footwear in North American footwear production sites. Providing technical expertise to customers in liaison with account managers.

Organized, staffed, and led product creation process for footwear, apparel, and accessories, ensuring all projects were completed on time, manufacturable, met design intent, and profitable. Brought departmental focus to technical shoe making, quality of fit, and aesthetic quality. Managed 17 direct reports.* Implemented forward-engineering approach to product development, leading to 2 month improvement in production readiness. * Improved profit margins by 2 points through selective sourcing and product engineering.* Initiated technical standards, improving overall quality of fit and timely fit approvals.* Utilized experience, knowledge, and contacts in various industries used to successfully launch and expand UGG Australia accessories lines, including handbags, small leather goods, apparel and soft home goods.* Developed strategies and implemented calendars for various quick-to-market scenarios, reducing product creation lead times by 2 months.

Directed research and development initiatives, including development of materials, product innovation, and manufacturing processes for footwear and handbags. Provided leadership regarding international sourcing opportunities. Assisted quality assurance as well as research and testing laboratory in setting standards and establishing quality levels. Oversaw 2 direct reports.* Conceived of 9 product innovations, with 4 adoptions, including 1 design patent and 1 provisional patent, expanding potential organizational product line.* Renegotiated royalty agreement, resulting in initial savings of over $450K in 1st season.* Delivered 11% improvement in product confirmation approvals by implementing and managing pre‐production processes. * Provided unit cost savings of 5% through material engineering by developing PU coated materials and sourcing higher quality materials at lower prices. * Revised and strengthened basic quality inspection standards for handbags by increasing minimum pass / fail standards.* Built and managed new product Sourcing team by developing and implementing matrix for family footwear, creating sourcing strategy, and providing 5-year sourcing manufacturing plans.

Held direct responsibility for developing and implementing product engineering standards, fit standards, quality assurance standards, and vendor guide. Played key role in product development, sourcing, factory allocation, and quality control.* Contributed to launching footwear division, resulting in 30.5% expansion to 8.5M units in 1st year.* Improved product integrity by establishing quality standards, including Last making standards and perfecting fit evaluations.

Responsible for product development, production sourcing, and quality control for all DKNY footwear. Contributed line building, merchandising, and design. Managed eight direct reports and numerous indirect reports, including buying agencies and contract factories. Recruited design staff and top design consultants as well as worked closely with design and merchandising to bring product offerings back to trendsetting expectations. Reduced production timelines by one month through material pre-purchasing. Managed cooperation between Italy and China production offices to streamline material exports and imports.

COUSIN INTERNATIONAL SOURCING, INC., Oak Park, CAPresident, ShoemakerL.A. GEAR, Santa Monica, CASenior Director, Product Development & Technical ServicesU.S. SHOE CORP. / EASY SPIRIT, Cincinnati, OH / FREEMAN SHOE CO., Beloit, WIDirector of Offshore OperationsProduct Development TechnicianAVIA GROUP INTERNATIONAL, Portland, ORDirector of Development