As the VP of Product Development and QA, I lead and manage all strategic and operational aspects of the Product Development, 3D Digital Creation, QA, and Sampling teams.● Product Development: Lead the overall Product Development process, ensuring role clarity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality control. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to track and deliver on-time samples and maintain integrated development calendars. Partner with IT to develop tools and reports to enhance processes.● Leadership: Hire, assess, mentor, and develop a highly skilled cross-functional team. Collaborate with leaders from Merchandising, Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and IT to maintain workflow and achieve calendar deliverables. Establish and oversee goals, development plans, and performance reviews.● Strategic Direction: In conjunction with the President, develop and execute short-term and long-term strategies that align with Weissman’s business and merchandising goals. Continuously assess and update processes to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability.● Communication: Communicate transparently with cross-functional partners and leadership, provide and receive constructive feedback, and ensure professional and persuasive communication with stakeholders.● Business Analytics: Assess the risks and rewards of strategies, analyze historical data, and plan for overcoming development challenges to enhance processes and achieve business goals.● Quality Assurance: Develop and implement comprehensive QA strategies, manage the QA team, define quality standards, and collaborate with teams to ensure quality throughout the product lifecycle. Manage vendor relationships and recommend corrective actions as needed.● Budgeting: Develop, maintain, and adhere to departmental budgets that support company plans and goals.This role leverages my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to drive process enhancements, team development, and product quality."

Led the Product Development team of Technical Designers, Digital Technical Designers, Patternmakers, Sample Management, Sample Room and Raw Material Sample Warehouse.● Directed and tracked product development across all apparel categories, analyzing and identifying reporting and resource gaps to streamline cross-functional development processes.● Developed and managed comprehensive development calendars, ensuring timely execution and regular progress reporting against milestones. ● Actively responded to and addressed customer feedback on fit and quality, driving continuous improvement.● Collaborated closely with Design, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Planning teams to enhance efficiency and ensure timely product development and delivery.● Partnered with IT to create and implement tools and reports, providing greater transparency and oversight of development timelines.This role enabled me to drive cross-functional collaboration, optimize development workflows, and enhance product quality, ultimately contributing to the successful and timely launch of our products.

Led the Product Management Team comprising Product Sample Associates, Costing Associates, and the Sample Room.● Oversaw team operations and workflow for sampling 4k+ prototypes and photo samples annually in our in-house sample room.● Managed and analyzed initial quotes on 1k+ new styles collaborating with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment with margin goals.● Identified and developed tools, reporting, and resources aimed at streamlining development timelines across functions.● Spearheaded the development and implementation of strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs throughout the end-to-end Product Lifecycle.

Led and managed the Product Development team comprising Technical Designers and Patternmakers.● Directed end-to-end product development across all apparel categories, ensuring alignment with quality and timeline goals.● Collaborated with IT to develop and deploy a specification package integrated with our ERP system, enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.● Analyzed and identified reporting and resource gaps to optimize cross-functional support and reduce development timelines.● Enhanced team communication with internal and external partners, fostering collaborative relationships and improving project outcomes.● Implemented innovative processes and streamlined existing procedures to drive operational excellence and workflow efficiency.

Managed Women's Cut and Sew Knits seasonal product development across Missy, Petites, and Plus sizes, encompassing Knits, Activewear, Performance, and Sleepwear categories.● Developed apparel products for Lands' End, including Lands' End Canvas 1963, Lands' End International Catalogs, Lands' End Shops in Sears, and Business Outfitters.● Oversaw pre-production and bulk garment testing to ensure quality and compliance with specifications.● Analyzed returns and conducted competitive analysis projects to drive informed decision-making and improve product offerings.

Led product development for knits and woven garment dye apparel across seasonal collections for Children's, Missy, Petites, and Plus sizes.● Managed development stages from initial concept to production, including technical sketches, measurement specifications, and conducting live fittings with designers.● Addressed fit-related feedback by conducting detailed research, refining specifications, and collaborating closely with sales representatives, dealers, and customer service teams to ensure alignment.● Led and managed the Technical Design Team to maintain high standards of quality and consistency throughout the product lifecycle.