Fabric Manager R&D/ Operations

Celeste Knight Bronx, NY *************.******@*****.*** 347-***-****

Fabric R&D Manager

Highly motivated and skilled professional with 10+ years of experience in fabric research and development. Superior interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact with team and vendors/mills at all levels. Highly organized with a strong attention to detail.

Fabric Sourcing & Management Supplier & Vendor Management Negotiations Monitoring Trends

Process Improvement Microsoft Office Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom Fluent in Spanish

Professional Experience

Men & Women’s Woven Fabric Manager, Chaps Ralph Lauren, Nutley, NJ January 2019- January 2021

Managed existing materials and seasonal material developments.

Led efforts to identify opportunities to leverage and consolidate core fabrics across brands.

Collaborated cross functionally with design team, merch team and production team to ensure the best product is produced, keeping in line with our corporate calendar and overseas offices.

Created and manage direct relationships with mills and vendors to partner on material consolidation and researching new materials.

Identify pricing opportunities and negotiate fabric price points with mills and in partnership with production team to support brand goals.

Utilize technical expertise to translate design intent to executable fabric and materials.

Troubleshoot fabric quality issues, re-engineer fabric for better costing or improved quality and pattern.

Manage material information in PLM.

Fabric R&D Manager, Lauren Dress Division Ralph Lauren, New York, NY June 2014 -January 2019

Sourced new fabrics in coordination with senior manager for design team each season, bringing a fresh new outlook while maintaining brand aesthetic and competitive price point.

Created and manage all fabric development status in fabric tracking chart.

Nurtured and maintain strong relationships with Fabric Vendors.

Assisted the costing team in reviewing all fabric prices.

Ordered all lab dips, strike offs and proto/sales sample yardage PO’s.

Entered all seasonal fabric details/colors into PLM during pre-production stage.

Communicated daily with mills, vendors, and factories overseas to ensure timely shipment of fabric.

Prepared and discuss all fabric updates and issues for weekly status meetings

Attended fabric appointments, trend presentations, and concept meetings along with senior manager

Organized and maintained fabric library for design references in seasonal binders

Fabric R & D Coordinator, Chaps Dress Division Ralph Lauren, New York, NY June 2012- June 2014

Scheduled mill appointments and fabric meetings.

Reviewed sample yardage at development stage to make adjustments to color and quality for production.

Received, sorted, and organized all incoming packages from suppliers, vendors, and overseas offices.

Communicated daily with overseas vendors on fabric quality, lab dip, and hand-loom/strike off comments from team and communicated regularly with production and design team.

Maintained and approved all fabric invoices.

Fabric Assistant, Dress Division American Living, New York, NY June 2010 – June 2012

Pulled fabric selections for seasonal line plan and prepared all color/fabric boards for concept meetings.

Managed tailoring chart and seasonal development books and organized incoming samples.

Corresponded daily with overseas office and design team.

Education & Professional Development

LIM College, New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising

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