Jorie Connors (Ernst) Email & Phone Number

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Directly report to VP.- Designated product developer for two major cosmetic accessory brands, Real Techniques & ecotools- Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships, identifying new vendor opportunities for innovative product- Take products from initial concept through development, optimization, packaging & production- Communicate operations and sourcing requirements for each product to internal partners and team overseas- Manage the milestone dates to the production calendar to assure deadlines to development and sampling process are achieved within required time frames- Partner and develop trusting relationship with cross-functional teams and enforce on-going communication in order to move products forward- Resolve issues regarding product development, cost, delivery, customer, etc.- Execute strategies from Sourcing, sales, design and merchandising teams- Review product design and suggest changes based on market research, competitors, and industry trends.- highlight portfolio: https://www.behance.net/jorieernst

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Communicated daily with overseas suppliers to facilitate and initiate projects- Compiled and organized all product information into company software- Created specification forms for new products- Coordinated and requested sample needs for development and testing- Reviewed samples with team and provides feedback to vendors- Communicated timing of orders to contract customers- Sourced packaging, pricing, lead times, technical drawings, specs, dielines, material- Stored, organized, and maintained samples throughout the development process- Assisted with coordination of product presentations- Regularly gathered trends and concepts from the market to share with cross functional teams.- Solicited new products from vendors- Provided leadership competive analysises and claims evaluations

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Maintained files, organization and tracking documents for all development related items – including both electronic files and physical submissions within the office.- Maintained trend boards and product line sheets with key product details to effectively communicate necessary information to cross-functional teams and partners.- Conducted extensive preliminary research that product managers used to create plans

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Sample organization, tracking, labeling, gathering feedback from key stakeholders, creating a sample library, creating and managing product surveys- Helping to ship internationally- Tracking key artwork dates, helping with updating existing MCF’s and artwork routing in MCF date tracker for PD- Trend analysis, keeping a pulse on mintel and other key trend sights- Ingredient research and trends, as well as new and innovative formula’s- Helping with brief creations, benchmark purchasing and organizing/distributing- PD tracker updates, adding in costing, updating due dates, updating renderings, Issue weekly project status report(will work with Lindsey on this)- Supporting sampling and mockup mechanical creation and distribution for key retailer meetings

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- Assist the visual merchandising manager in the execution of display window changes, merchandise changes and planograms- Create fun and creative window and interior displays using doll product and props- Provide great customer service by ensuring all displays and merchandising are at 100% standard excellence- Collaborate daily with staff and management

Brooklyn, New York, United States

- Collaborates with some of the world’s most well-known brands- Facilitate product sampling between factory partners overseas and US offices- Exercises judgment and project management skills to balance priorities, organize team schedules, and clearly communicate needs to overseas factories- Serves as liaison between brands and cross-functional teams and focuses on structuring and executing clear strategic initiatives- Works collaboratively and independently on multiple projects- Utilizes Adobe software to render concepts for brands- Serves as liaison between creative teams and factory partners to bring product designs and packaging concepts to life- Assists the leadership team to develop a vision and strategy for brands- Works to gain a deep understanding of each client’s brand to maintain consistency- Identifies beneficial partnerships and opportunities, and hosts bi-weekly meetings, with new international vendors- Facilitates sampling from vendors across all offices (Hong Kong, London, New York)- Worked alongside various teams within the company, and gained fluidity in different areas within the product development landscape- Assists social media and creative leads on weekly photo campaigns to drive brand awareness

Brooklyn, Ny

- Worked collaboratively with other teams while working independently on multiple projects at once- Gained a deep understanding of each client's story and brand guidelines to maintain consistency throughout each entire project- Worked closely with both creative and development teams, as well as international factory partners to bring product designs and packaging concepts to life- Collaborated with some of the world’s most well-known brands- Worked alongside various teams within the company, and gained fluidity in different areas within the product development landscape.

Indiana University, Bloomington

- Lead the second largest organization on campus, with over 400 members. - Interview, select, and direct a group of 21 officers, delegating tasks to coordinate marketing, membership, and professional development teams.- Reach out to and coordinate with industry professionals to speak at monthly meetings for members base.- Facilitate ongoing relationships with group sponsors, professors, and school officials.- Membership to the National Retail Federation

Bloomington, Indiana Area

Indiana University Bloomington

- Started and built the Curtsy Instagram account at Indiana University Bloomington. - Communicated regularly with the Curtsy team, (HQ) - Created trendy, youthful, and consistent content daily in order to build and maintain a following as well as worked to gain users within the app.

Greater Chicago Area

- Youth leader focused on engaging with high school peers. - Leader of music and audio/visual systems during weekly group meetings.

Bachelor’S Degree, Apparel Merchandising, Minor In Fashion Design

Activities and Societies: Retail Studies Organization President, Pi Beta Phi

Fashion Merchandising

Study abroad program in Milan, Italy for 5 months.

Bachelor'S Degree, Apparel Merchandising