Product Development Manager

LORI LABIANCA

Clark, NJ ***** 908-***-**** *********@***.*** https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-labianca-54580334/

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

High-Performing Manager with proven track record in Product Development and Operations with leading footwear company. Well versed in all phases of the product life cycle from inception to completion. Exceptional experience partnering cross-functionally with Design, Retail, Wholesale, Catalog, Marketing, International, Production and Operations Departments to create and execute high quality products. Highly motivated and deadline driven, recognized for ease managing multiple projects in fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.

Experience:

AEROSOLES, Edison, NJ

2001 - 2018

Product Development Manager (2005-2018)

Support 200mm of annual business. Partner cross-functionally with Design, Retail, Wholesale, Catalog, Marketing, International, Production and Operations Departments to create and execute seasonal products.

Fit

Managed three-person team of Sample Coordinators and Fit models. Oversee fitting process for Aerosoles and A2 styles. Report fit comments and technical recommendations to overseas agents and technicians. Approve weekly attendance for sample coordinators & fit models on Kronos system. Developed and monitored tracking reports for all stages of fit from Protos to production. Resulted in reducing lead times from 160 to 90 days.

Production

Partnered with V.P. of Product Development on material color selection based on the seasonal color palette, trend direction & merchandise slot plans.

Liaison between Product Development, Retail, Wholesale & First Cost divisions to create & maintain product lifecycle calendar & monitor the progress weekly.

Responsible for the approval of colors, samples, and Confirmation samples for the Aerosoles & A2 brands.

Developed and Implemented Quality Inspection Process for inspecting finished products at warehouse. Included inspection manual, training and reporting findings (images/text) to internal partners and overseas agents.

Identified potential quality issues & work with Production, overseas agents & repair facilities to issue quality claims &/or to request further inspections & make repairs. Issued over 1mm worth of claims for 2017.

Monitored the commercialization & Production Calendar regularly to ensure factories stay on target with deadlines. Included daily communication & follow-up daily with technicians & agents in China & Portugal regarding fit & development.

Design

Partnered with Design to create and maintain the tech packs for the Aerosoles brand for over 400 styles per season.

Previewed & selected leathers & materials at the seasonal trade shows & attend trend seminars in

New York City each season.

Presented seasonal product offerings to the buying teams of major department stores, as well as, to Aerosoles merchandising teams at market.

IT

Partnered with IT team to co-design and implement first-ever current PD exclusive database (PLM system) and design upgrade for 2018. Previous tracking and reports were manual. Automation led to 80% increase in efficiency and to productivity across departments including Product Development, Production, merchandising, shipping and sales.

Preproduction Coordinator (2003 – 2005)

Worked closely with the Product Development & Design team to create & maintain seasonal tech

packs and with approval of materials, colors, Protos, Samples & Confirmations. Included meeting with

suppliers and assisting with seasonal material selection.

Managed the sample process for the Aerosoles & A2 brands. Included training, guiding & supporting the Sample Coordinators and organization of sample room.

Participated in monthly product review meetings with Retail, Wholesale, Catalog, make suggestions and make adjustments as directed. Communicated to all divisions of product changes as they occurred.

Reviewed and approved all samples for the Aerosoles and A2 brands for Sales, Marketing, Catalog, & Wholesale. This included cross checking with tech packs & swatch approvals, alerting of any discrepancies and suggesting any necessary improvements.

Conducted fit tests for all Aerosoles and A2 styles. Included the scheduling of fit models and recording and communicating of fit results.

Assisted the VP of Product Development on yearly sample budgets and approved monthly sample invoices.

Supervised the seasonal clean-up of out dated fits & samples housed in our warehouse & charitable donations.

Sample Coordinator (2001-2003)

Coordinated the sample ordering, tracking, receiving and distribution for 8 Aerosoles sales reps & internal

divisions. Included daily communication with China & Portugal agents.

Attended seasonal shoe shows & responsible for the logistics of sample sets.

Reviewed details of all samples for Catalog, Marketing & .com against spec sheets & approval swatches. Alerted departments of any discrepancies.

Created & maintained seasonal line sheets to be used for FFANY.

Organized and maintain the A4 swatch files, sample room & all approved fits.

Kept daily logs of incoming fits, confirmations & protos sent for Product Development for duty purposes. Then, send total counts to Accounting at end of each month.

Education:

Fashion Institute Of Technology

New York City, NY

Bachelor of Science: Fashion Buying & Merchandising

SKILLS:

Microsoft Office & Excel

PLM & Blue Cherry

Kronos Management System

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