Kate Harper Email & Phone Number

Berkhamsted, England, United Kingdom

United Kingdom

• Led & managed the product development calendar with design, buying and cloth suppliers• Coordinated team to deliver aesthetically correct garments that met design briefs• Sourced seasonal fabrics for key accounts including Anthropologie, Topshop Boutique, ASOS, TK Maxx, Oliver Bonas and John Lewis• Responsible for calculating and placing bulk fabric and trim orders for production and coordinating all deliveries• Managed all production planning for Eastern European factories • Critical Path management to achieve customer on time product launch

Watford, United Kingdom

• Project lead focusing on high profile product development within toys for mothercare and the Early Learning Centre brands.• Identified product opportunities and introduced profitable new ranges• Briefed and developed unique and innovative ranges with the Far East design team from concept to delivery• Negotiated prices to achieve planned margins whilst remaining competitive • Carefully selected International Wholesale and Franchise ranges across all ELC departments, based on sales data and feedback from partners, to suit different customer needs/specific market requirements• Led a team to deliver ‘Project 60%+’ - resourcing and re-engineering best sellers for margin gain• Worked in conjunction with the Merchandising Team to meet and exceed sales, profit and intake margin budgets• Worked closely with Head of Global Brands to ensure the right mix of own brand vs branded products • Critical Path management to achieve on time product launch• Day to day management of buying team across all levels

Watford, United Kingdom

• Responsible for the strategy and range building of the Sports & Activity department whilst managing the buying team on the Music & Learning department• Worked closely with the Sports & Activity merchandising team to analyse sales and range build• Ensured quality, safety and innovation was of the very highest to meet brand guidelines• Worked cross functionally within different areas of the business including International, Wholesale, Direct and Home & Travel • Cost price and trading terms negotiation• Presented ranges seasonally and work closely with Franchise and Wholesales partners to deliver individual needs• Own brand product development from concept to production, working closely with designers as well as sourcing products through UK and FE suppliers• Responsible for selecting Sports and Activity Brands and Widest Choice ranges to compliment the own brand range • Directly managed Assistant Buyer and Buying Assistants

• Managed both Infant & Pre-school and Older Kids departments reporting directly to Head of Buying, covering buyer position• Own brand development within Infant Toys, working closely with the HK product manager • Worked cross functionally with UK design team to offer toys and accessories complimenting Home and Travel products.• Selected branded infant and pre-school ranges to compliment own brand offering both in store and online.

• Managed both Infant & Pre-school and Older Kids departments reporting directly to Head of Buying, covering buyer position• Own brand development within Infant Toys, working closely with the HK product manager • Worked cross functionally with UK design team to offer toys and accessories complimenting Home and Travel products.• Selected branded infant and pre-school ranges to compliment own brand offering both in store and online.

Watford, United Kingdom

• Assisted three full time Senior Separates and Tailoring Designers• Researched and ordered fabric, trims and components for sample garments• Coordinated all garment component sheets for customers including Littlewoods, BHS, John Lewis and Next• Approved all trims and components for production• Calculated orders, components and quantities for mass production• Provided accurate production information for off-shore factories• Main point of contact for factories on a daily basis concerning production and delivery queries• Critical path management