Morgan W. Email & Phone Number

Remote

-Leading cross-functional product management activities.-Fostering relationships with supply chain partners, test labs, designers and other 3rd party resources.-Developing standardized processes to ensure a frictionless launch of new products.-Facilitating 3rd party testing of all products and maintenance of organized test results database.-Exploring new raw material developments and manufacturing techniques that may be leveraged to advance product designs.-Partnering with outside designers, artists, color-trend services and others to guide aesthetically pleasing designs that are on-trend with targeted consumer segments.-Facilitating the production of prototype samples with manufacturing partners.-Managing end-of-life planning for discontinued styles to minimize obsolescence.-Supporting the marketing team in the development of product positioning, tech briefs, and compelling accurate copy.

Greensboro/Winston-Salem, North Carolina Area

-Responsible for developing new fabrics woven globally from ideation to production-Build reporting tools to produce monthly/quarterly reports for key metrics such as inventory, success rates, ROI, lead time, new development complexity, and white space developments.-Manage and monitor project timelines, costs, specifications, and communicate project details daily internally and externally with contract manufacturers and customers.-Work with domestic and international manufacturing teams on new products and sourcing new technologies and developments.-Apply creativity and foresight to each project, while exploring opportunities to improve products and increase the speed to market by implementing a phase-gate system for PD decision making.-Act as the liaison between Manufacturing, Sales, and Marketing for all product information and technical specifications.-Educate and train sales on new products and advise how to merchandise products for customer meetings.-Develop Burlington color stories for each season by leveraging forecasting tools and market trends, and using created story strategy to build merchandising and marketing material for the sales team.-Responsible for specialized design in woven patterns and plaids for customer developments and white space collections for all product categories.-Present collections, specialized projects, technology updates, and critical timelines at sales meeting and trade shows.

Greenville, South Carolina Area

-Managed the technical garment development of men’s and children’s collections, and assisted with the design and technical design of the women’s collections using the Adobe Suite.-Implemented new reporting systems to track and manage department KPIs: quality assurance, risk assessments, graded spec templates, sample requests, product development, BOM, packaging and labeling, apparel patterns, and fabrics.-Prepared seasonal tech packs and developed initial specifications for various prototypes while facilitating fit sessions with technical team.-Collaborated with designers to interpret and clarify design concepts; ensuring the correct development of initial specifications.-Researched and analyzed industry trends and conducted fit comparisons with department partners based on findings. -Supervised the web PLM system and trained all new employees on use and functionality.

Mt. Airy, Nc

-Approved fit, construction, colour, and material of products within the development and production timelines.-Planned and conducted live model fit and wear tests on concept and competitive products, including documenting proportional and comparative statistics.-Managed technical specs, and designed flats and sketches as a tool to communicate to internal customers and global vendor partners.-Developed and maintained processes for documenting the history of fit evaluations; increasing efficiency, visibility, accountability, while also establishing KPIs for the department.-Gained industry and brand experience with the following: Ralph Lauren, Smartwool, Dr. Scholl’s, Fruit of the Loom, Copper Sole, New Balance, Carhartt, K. Bell, HOTSOX, Sperry

Raleigh, North Carolina Area

-Teamed with Marketing Director in developing and executing a successful public relations strategy, including event coordination and campaign development.-Assisted in the coordination and execution of brand events, photo shoots, product descriptions and meetings.-Collaborated with the Marketing Director in researching, designing, and developing product by classification, merchandise, and inventory on online store.-Conducted trend forecasting and planned category assortment while assisting in developing sales strategy.-Performed competitive research, SWOT and trend analysis for retail and market strategy.