Retail and wholesale apparel consultant with focus on sourcing, product development, merchandising, process improvement, business development and quality assurance. Updated intimate apparel company's vendor manual, created costing tool for importer, and provide importer introductions for off-shore manufacturer.

• Planned, managed, and directed the sourcing of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories. Determined sourcing needs, evaluated business partners, vetted potential new sources and explored new textile technologies• Introduced new direct and domestic importer sourcing lowering costs, improving quality, and increasing on-time delivery performance. Identified margin opportunities for repeat styles and sourcing changes which resulted in substantial cost savings, over $200K in first season, and quality upgrades • Member of product development leadership team. Delivered product development and merchandising direction which increased Legendary Whitetails’ 2014 spring sales from 5% to 15% of annual sales. Company sales increased 68% during two-year tenure• Introduced and guided purchase of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. Launched new product categories, expanded underdeveloped categories, and focused on growth of key items• Established, managed, and communicated quality assurance standards and processes. Contracted third party inspection service, assigned inspections, reviewed results, and communicated findings and corrective action. Created vendor scorecard for evaluation of total vendor performance

Focus on assisting retail and apparel companies with business development opportunities, prioritizing strategic initiatives, implementation of new initiatives, process improvement and managing day to day operations.Provide growing specialty internet/catalog retailer with organizational consultation and process development of sourcing, product development, merchandising and quality assurance. Establish procedures for improved communications and increased productivity. Advised start-up wholesale/retail apparel firm on merchandising, strategic planning, process improvement, sales, marketing and business development. Provided institutional investment firms, venture capital firms and private equity funds with industry and company specific insight and new perspectives to assist with current and future investment decisions.

• Led product development, merchandising, and quality efforts for better contemporary Jeremiah and moderate North River brands. Collaborated with design, technical design, sales, and customers on private brand programs• Coordinated communication and product strategy between design, technical design, sales, and production • Created seasonal line plans, including product assortment, FOB targets, wholesale price, margins, and suggested retail prices. Assessed competition, trends, and fabrics • Implemented vendor strategies and partnerships to better support line plans, enhance product development, and improve product commercialization. Diversified vendor base, lowered costs, increased margins, and improved timeliness of deliveries • Benchmarked and authored quality assurance manual. Initiated third-party quality assurance inspections. Established a Foria International, Inc. Quality Assurance and Production Monitoring office in Suzhou, China

Established the position focused on more cost effective global sourcing of $1.3B (2007) of women’s, men’s, and children’s private brand apparel, fashion accessories, and home textiles. Developed corporate sourcing strategy and vendor matrix. Executed global sourcing partnerships while fostering an environment of collaborative teamwork between vendors, agents, and Kohl’s. Provided high level direction and support to the company’s product managers and buyers in the areas of vendor identification, vendor management, supply chain management, category capacity planning and global trade agreement strategy. Concurrently, established the company’s Social Compliance function as an integral component of sourcing and positioned the function for its ultimate alignment with other corporate governance functions.Achievements:• From 1998 through 2005, delivered exclusive sourcing management of all apparel and accessories. In 2005, directed the sourcing of over $800M of direct import private brand apparel including knits, wovens, sweaters, outerwear, and accessories • Introduced the use and development of Central American knitting mills and dye-houses to improve turn-over and shorten replenishment timelines • Partnered with a Central American denim supplier to establish an off-shore based replenishment program which grew to over $20M in five years • Drove directly sourced product from less than 30% in 1998 to more than 60% of Kohl’s total private brand sourcing in 2005• Directed change from transactional sourcing to strategic sourcing. Focused vendor matrix on resource consolidation and leveraging economies of scale to obtain more favorable costs, deliveries, and improved quality• Conducted first review and bench-marking of Kohl’s Apparel Performance and Testing Standards which resulted in improved product performance and quality. Communicated and trained agent, vendors, and factories on performance and quality requirements

Pioneered the development of Kohl’s Social Compliance Program for private and exclusive brand suppliers focused on protecting Kohl’s brand while ensuring in country compliance with all labor, safety and environmental standards. Achievements:• First chairperson of Kohl’s Executive Social Responsibility Committee (2001-2005). Key member of Kohl’s Supply Chain Security Committee• Led the evaluation and approval of all factories used for the production of private brand and exclusive brand products. Directed the efforts of two external compliance monitoring companies. Supervised a four person administrative staff • Laid the internal and external groundwork for an effective Social Compliance Program: o Developed and implemented Kohl’s vendor and factory evaluation processo Established supplier conduct guidelines, compliance database and compliance processes o Created and delivered social compliance training for private brand vendors, agents and Kohl's Product Development and Merchant staffo Conducted factory visits to emphasize the Program's importance and confirm findings of external compliance monitors

Buyer, Men’s Knits, Wovens and Sweaters 1991-1998 / Buyer, Athletic Apparel 1987-1991Responsible for merchandise assortment, inventory and financial planning, marketing, sales and profitability. Identified and maximized Key Items. As largest private brand import buyer, built private brand lines, performed product development, sourcing, vendor negotiations and placement. Trained, developed and promoted staff to positions of greater responsibility.Achievements:• Key player in the growth and development of Kohl’s Croft & Barrow men’s sportswear brand and Fairway Sport and Steve Stricker for Fairway Sport lines of golf apparel • Quadrupled men’s sportswear sales volume from $28.2M to $111.4M in only six years, while simultaneously improving gross margin percent and dollar performance during same period• Achieved a total private brand retail sales increase of $38.9M ($12.2M to $51.1M) through a five-fold increase in direct import cost purchases ($3.8M to $22.7M) in only five years