Paula Eccleston Email & Phone Number

As Director of Product Development I am responsible for working to deliver a product that meets the needs of the regional markets, fits with targeted key trends, and is delivered on time at the lowest total cost with the utmost quality standards. Will be responsible for acquiring, licensing, or developing new products, managing vendor relationships, and resolving vendor production and quality issues. The person in this role will establish and implement sourcing strategies, policies and practices, being the functional category expert, and owning vendor relationships. Responsibilities will include: Develop and commercialize product prototypes in line with merchandising line plan and product brief specifications Manage the day to day activities within the category product management which includes collaborating with Design, QA and Product Engineers in order to ensure that the final product meets Development Plan and hits costs targets Oversee sourcing, obtain best costs from competing vendors through RFPs, allocate and award business to vendors as appropriate Engineer product to meet margin-related goals and safety and quality testing standards while achieving design aesthetic Quote business, on board and develop new vendors, analyze and negotiate costs, develop savings strategies, raw material strategies

Listed skills include Brand Positioning Strategies, Import And Export/ Distribution, New Product Launches, Sales Team Building, and 25 others.

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  Director Of Product Development

  Imperial Pearl

  Sep 1998 - Present

  Major Responsibilities: Establish development calendar to ensure timely completion of samples and productionRecommend initial vendor selection.Effectively communicate expectations to our factory partners.Develop required components and finished goods.Negotiate costs, ensuring margin targets are met.Recommend alternative manufacturing techniques, component parts, etc., to reduceprice and /or improve manufacturability while maintaining design integrity.Insure all products meet aesthetic and quality expectations.Secondary Functions:Monitor progress against the calendar, and partner with team members to bring issues to resolution.Prepare all samples for customer presentation. Specific Job Skills:Proficient PC skills including Excel spreadsheet skillsProficient with Windows PC based business applications.Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.Strong relationship building skills.Ability to influence outcomes.Ability to work successfully in a cross functional team setting, as well as independently.Ability to multi-task within a fast paced, creatively charged environment.Be respected for having in-depth industry related understanding of product development.Available to travel outside the US two to four times per year for a period of up to two weeks per trip

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  New England Institute Of Technology

  Business Administration And Management