James Chen Email & Phone Number

Auckland, Nz

Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom

Manage and create seasonal collections and long-lasting staples into our ever-expanding offering. Daily communications with teams across the globe across all time zones to address problems and offer solutions and plan ahead to avoid foreseen complications.Some of my tasks include;•Communicate across departments and agencies to shape production requirements tailored to each region/country's needs.•Set and meet sales targets with each region.•Scope projects, identify resources and maintain budgets•Explore, integrate and capitalise on technology to continuously improve customer support and experience in both B2B and D2C.•Leading a team to provide ongoing direction for each area including trade shows, bespoke events and large launch functions.•Leverage industry research, historical experience and emerging trend knowledge to develop creative visions and forecast/plan for future collections/directions.•Push team members through successful promotions of brands, messages and stories across multiple countries.•Pitch concepts and opportunities through carefully calculated forecasting budgets to stakeholders to obtain buy-in partnerships.•Worked closely with creative team members and production departments to deliver client requirements successfully on time and on budget.•Negotiate the price with suppliers and service providers to outline the exact costing and timetable.•Approve and review photography, content and graphic artwork developed.

Auckland, New Zealand

Developed and created James Loft, first as a curated multi-brand menswear store which was one of the first to offer a complete collection of Calvin Klein Jeans in New Zealand with a store featuring the “jean wall” concept offering affordable luxury brands in mid-tier pricing in both formal and streetwear. •Identify brands not offered in NZ that would have potential in the market•Approach brands to collaborate with and buy from•Develop exclusive offerings and brand collaborations/collections•Develop our own training course to develop a confident brand-focused sale team. The 2 concept stores were later sold and rebranded while the “James Loft” brand was retained to open a multi-level stand-alone store in the Auckland CBD specialising in high-end bespoke menswear which is a sector and client base developed.•Developed collections to wholesale into overseas department stores•Travel for trunk show events•Develop and source material •Produced garments and collections onsite/in-store.•Developing and overlooking the entire production process, internally and externally.

Auckland, New Zealand

Identified two businesses with commercial potential but on the decline and without successions, the skills which it retains would have been lost on the closure of these businesses. The two businesses were a garment trim/attachment service and a small scale CMT production offering “make only” or as in the industry known as piece work.After acquiring both businesses we filled in the missing steps to offer a one-stop service for small/medium garment production in NZ from concept to finish garment all in house. •Train and develop the missing areas of service needed, cutting, pattern making, press/pack and tag•Offer consultation to people looking to start their own brand and clothing line which include budgeting and direction. •Source cloth, trims and applications.•Advice on volumes and forecast expectations•Help bring designs into reality but more importantly ensure economic success which will yield in returning and ongoing business.

Auckland, New Zealand

Working in a small team between two stores, I was mainly based in the New Market store working the sales floor and assisting the owner in budgeting, marketing and buying. Later I would help develop our own branded line of core products of which we were able to produce/sell in volume and maximise margin in our top tier area of sales.Evaluate supplier options according to price and quality to determine the best value of choice.Monitor stock levels and order ahead of time to replenish inventory, forecast to ensure we have stock when needed without overstocking tying up capital.Partnered with suppliers to producers to get the best price and exclusive stockReview reports on sales and buying trends to determine appropriate strategies for coming seasons, up to 18 months ahead.Source new suppliers for product lines to improve delivery, price, quality and termsNegotiate terms of an agreement to achieve the best deal for the companyAttended events, fairs and exhibitions to remain up to date with the latest market trends.Traveled overseas visiting and lining up manufacturers for in-house brand.

Education record

Bachelor'S Degree, Fashion/Apparel Design

Certificate In Textile Design