Omar Velazquez Email & Phone Number

Portland, Or, Us

Portland, Oregon, United States

I am responsible for the technical development of footwear using HILOS’ patented 3D-printed, modular manufacturing methods. My role involves ensuring an effective and reliable design, development, and manufacturing process across client projects. Additionally, I oversee the further development, establishment, and maintenance of footwear standards, as well as the sourcing, onboarding, and integration of suppliers into the HILOS manufacturing network.

Carlsbad, California, United States

Lead all technical aspects of product fit within product creation.As the Fit Specialist, I worked across teams on, ideation, style interpretation, development, research, and manufacturing to drive new product excellence.Directed the efforts to implement Global Fit Initiatives while leading CAD 3D modeling, engineering and commercialization to implement product standards for achieving consistency through 3D engineered / modeled best BRAND FIT. All while creating and evaluating fit, and analyzing consumer feedback to drive consistency in Fit. Initiated the use of advanced 3D design, modeling tools, and additive manufacturing technologies for the development of new digital standards within product creation for a more efficient development process, all while supporting speed-to market initiatives.My commercialization oversight focuses on mold making and molded foams-related projects that tightly steer the internal CAD 3D modeling team and external tool-making partners.Working also on the establishment of new (out of the box) constructions, components and processes for product/production continuous improvement.Initiated the “Reef Fit Lab” hired and managed the 3D CAD/fit engineering team. Mentor other roles within product creation to advise, consult, & collaborate as needed to update and/or support colleagues in the day-to-day business as it pertains to product engineering, tooling, rubber, foam compounds and fit.

Vietnam

Driving all aspects of the footwear "Development Center-Project Plan" to improve seasonal outputs and cope with business growth. Specifically, support development of running & hiking footwear. Managing & inspiring the team to innovate more as they serve the internal Decathlon sport brands from the most advanced supplier development center in Vietnam. Support the strategies of footwear divisions, while building strong collaboration across supporting local teams. Directly in charge of the relationship for footwear development with the largest footwear supplier in the region, working on multi-sites & multi-countries (Vietnam & Cambodia), while focusing in mid & high-range athletic footwear products.Co-write, challenge, and contribute to improvement of footwear development industrial methods worldwide, with other development centers, in collaboration with France headquarters product leaders & industrialization teams.Manage an international team of 6 senior footwear development managers to reach operational development excellence, direct & manage the seasonal workload according to brands needs and technical requirements to ensure consistency through products and ranges. Manage the development team towards objectives and implement process changes. Steer and coach team in their creative processes to drive on-time delivery of seasonal product development. Inspire and motivate team to pursue cutting edge ideas that are innovative and original in the market, by researching functional criteria for product and product concepts. Work closely with categories and design teams to drive seamless collaboration. Ensure the correct execution of corporate identity guidelines and against legal restrictions within the category. Verbally present strategies with clarity and expertise. Disseminate product development and development center strategy into team and x-functional teams.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

Lead development team in the interpretation of design, development and construction. Manage all technical aspects of Product Development, Sourcing, Engineering, Commercialization & Production, Directed and created tech packs, supervised all product details working with design and leadership to ensure that details are accurately translated into industry leading concepts. Lead sourcing and liaison offices on pricing, construction, calendars and deliveries. Lead both, the short- and long-term goals brand INNOVATION efforts. Always partnered with internal & external design teams to deliver end products in-line with the strategic vision of the brand.Maximize current vendor relationships and develop new vendor base while maintaining meticulous attention to detail, quality and finesse of sampling and production. Interface and meet regularly with internal customers to build strong communication, relationships and partnerships.

Hong Kong

Responsible for all aspects of product development from initial sketch review to commercialization across multiple (China & Vietnam) creation centers while managing all product creation teams. Ensuring delivery of all footwear collections which are developed to the agreed timetable and quality standards. Focused also on ensuring that all technical risks associated with construction, fit, performance in wear, material and component suitability, packaging and transit performance are proactively identified, controlled and eliminated wherever possible.Provide "Development Teams" leadership and direction in goal setting, coaching, staffing and motivating a team of Fitflop and vendor partner resources, and oversee coordination, triage and resolution efforts for all product creation issues.Managed all development aspects of product sourcing including vendor assessment and selection, C.O.O. strategies, risk assessment, technical packages, prototyping, sample commercialization, testing and as well as support cross functional groups in quality assurance, logistics, finance and compliance. Travel frequently for vendor and corporate strategy meetings. Evolve the structure and capability of the Global Product Creation organization in alignment with brand strategic plan.

China, Vietnam & India

Spenco Footwear / ChinaDirector of Product Development & Sourcing. Implemented seasonal product creation process. And managing development teams from concept through sample execution; moving process into production and meeting line calendar milestones. Managed projects to assure liaison office on time sample delivery & production-ready. In-line with sourcing and pricing strategies. Facilitated all cross-functional team communication between development teams and brand headquarters, planning, strategy, status reporting, research, information gathering and meeting facilitation. Started footwear development & liaison office teams, implemented office budget and managed hiring and mentoring of the team. Implemented web-based communications and software tools to enable live, team collaboration, real-time reporting and provide information globally.SHOEfabrik / VietnamLead a two-brand specific footwear development teams. Worked from design brief to start of production while ensuring on time execution of all seasonal dates. Drove product innovation and product development while maintaining a focus on creating patentable technologies and corporate sustainability goals. Ensured prompt and effective communication between SHOEFABRIK’s Development, Design, and commercialization teams with customer product teams. Partner with forecasting and planning departments to create seasonal buy plans that maximize factory production capacity.TATA International Ltd. / IndiaHead of Footwear business unit, provided strategic direction to the Business Unit. Developed business and growth for the six company owned factories producing for M&S, Gabor, AEROSOLES, MASSIMO DUTTI, CAT and MANGO. Established objectives for all footwear business, manufacturing while supporting functions and setting business plans, engaging as needed members of the board while developing and executing strategic plans. Lead the business development thru forays in new areas and product lines.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Responsible for “POWER” (private label) brand market position regionally Asia, Middle East and Africa. Accountable for conceptualization, design leadership and management of all product creation. As well as Product Merchandising by acting as the consumer, marketplace and product expert for “POWER” brand. Created line plan for the brand and briefed product needs and concepts into the design & sourcing teams. Drove the translation of consumer insights into regionally relevant stories, collections and concepts to drive the business. Optimizing portfolio management through forecasting, pricing and flow. Directly merchandise the line by category first, and then align with Bata countries regionally. Responsible for adoption metrics, ensuring category stories are brought to market at retail working with country GM, MM, Buyers throughout the process. Always looking for alignment between product and regional brand strategy. I traveled with country teams to learn about trends, and local needs at various price points. Manage style productivity and SKU efficiency and own margin goals and profitability for Power regionally and created product line forecasts. Achieved a 41% revenue growth for 2010 after first 12-month of initial stages of brand re-positioning and concept re-design, kept momentum by achieving 25% growth in 2011. Improved development process, and commercialization. Lead development of innovative products and technologies with suppliers.

Beaverton, Oregon, United States

Identified and managed “Considered” team’s involvement within the variety of concepts and projects from the “Innovation Kitchen” and categories that could benefit Nike’s efforts towards sustainability.Participated in the creation of Nike’s Considered North star (long term goal) through creation of a list of materials and processes which ultimately would become the “Considered” palette for designing considered product. Worked with design on ideation of un-tried technologies and processes which could ultimately be applied to a variety of footwear projects with “Considered” ethos in mind

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Directed category team members and lead all category initiatives and strategies. Responsible for determining category development support needed from all functional areas of support, including factory category resources in conjunction with Global Operations. Communicate brand messages, footwear initiatives and corporate Nike initiatives. Overseeing and reviewing project prototyping in the Liaison Office from concept generation through production, Resolving critical category manufacturing issues. Lead/work closely with the Development Manager, Product Engineer, Pricing Manager, Chemical Manager, Materials Manager, Manufacturing, R&D, support staff and Mold Manager to drive the Global Product Process. Directed category project sourcing and plan in-country resource needs planning and project schedules. Prioritized projects within WHQ category team and provided input. Managed the in-country product dev team for the category, including hiring, developing, coaching, rewarding and disciplining direct reports and preparing and delivering semi-annual coaching and evaluation. Managed seasonal critical dates, RFC and sample processes for the source country development process. Responsible for work in conjunction with Beaverton management and Contract Manufacturing sources to actively participate in the development of seasonal product sourcing plans. Coordination of category efforts from “Advanced Development initiatives” and ensured Product Creation documentation was provided to all Manufacturing partners and representatives.

Beaverton, Oregon, United States

Responsible for driving the (Active Life) footwear development process from concept to product confirmation by functioning as a technical and business resource for the design department. I manage and engineer prototyping with our Asia offices through tech package generation, which includes RD&D customer groups (Pattern engineering, Model Shop, Sample Room, NSRL, Pricing, Materials, CAD departments). Plan and execute project development according to the seasonal critical dates that lead to on–time delivery of sales samples and production confirmation, as well as lead meetings with Product teams to drive the decision-making process. I communicate with our Asia Liaison Development, Design, Tech, Pricing and Production teams to manage project sampling and confirmation of products. I recommend and specify materials, components and construction options to meet pricing targets, functional, design and marketing goals, as well as ensure performance integrity through product testing. Also utilize my experience of footwear manufacturing processes to better execute design and technology concepts into production and develop technical competencies.

Santa Barbara, California Area

Direct and drive every step of the seasonal footwear development process from concept to product confirmation. Functioning as a technical and business resource for the design department. Responsible for putting together all collection and product specifications material, component and construction options to meet pricing targets and production functional goals. Responsible for product’s integrity from injection molding approval through product testing and fit trials. Interact and travel to Taiwan Liaison office and factories in China, Vietnam and Spain.