Abner Lopé

**-**** ********** ************

adwp2d@r.postjobfree.com 404-***-****

Work Experience

Embroidery Department Manager

Onward Reserve - Atlanta, GA March 2022 - February 2023

Established and managed first in-house Embroidery Department of 18 sewing heads for a $4.5MM upscale casual apparel company. Managed the delivery and implementation of 4 new machines, 3 magnetic hooping stations, and an embroidery digitizing unit. Clients included: MLB, NCAA (including UGA, Georgia Tech, and the University of Alabama), Sea Island Resort, Wild Dunes Resort, The Honors Course, PGA Golfers Brendon Todd and Harris English.

- Initiated criteria for customer art, created QC standards and created SOPs for: test sampling, customer approval, scheduling/tracking production, machine maintenance, organizing designs, and troubleshooting sewing errors.

- Added embroidery services to golf wear, retail outlets, branded business apparel, and school spirit wear.

- Oversaw training of 3 operators and 2 support workers while maintaining vendor and supply relations.

- User/operator of: Wilcom Digitizing software, and multiple Barudan embroidery machine models (BEKT-S1501CBIII, BEKY-S1504CII, BEKY-S1506CII).

Embroidery Department Manager

Uniform Advantage - Atlanta, GA September 2019 - February 2022

Oversaw all graphics generation and sewing production of an embroidery department with 52 employees running 70 sewing heads on 45 machines and 7 digitizing/editing stations over two shifts for a $105MM medical/chef uniform company. Clients included: AdventHealth, WellStar Health Systems, Miami Children's Hospital, Allina Health.

- Reduced unshipped invoices 15% by attributing them to picking errors and initiating check-in stations.

- Established design and text specs for all digitizing, reducing customer complaints and scrapped garments.

- Established in-house design editing capability for quick resolution of sewing issues.

- Increased production 20 % by replacing underperforming machines, limited software and introducing barcode reading system, freeing operators from retrieving USB drives.

- Addressed all hiring/staffing needs and personnel issues with highest department employee retention in facility.

- Oversaw work distribution, scheduling of subcontracted overflow, and coordinated training at 6 retail locations.

- User/operator of: Wilcom Digitizing software, Barudan LEM Pro Networking System, Barudan BEKT-S1501CAII embroidery machine.

Field Technician & Operations Advisor

United Franchise Group - West Palm Beach, FL June 2015 - August 2019

Coordinated, supported and executed the setup (as well as the closing) of small retail/service business brands for a $53MM franchise company. Assigned to North America and Mexico. Brands supported: Venture X, Signarama, Experimax and EmbroidMe/Fully Promoted.

- Visited and contacted stores to review SOPs, sales & marketing techniques, accounts receivable, pricing, contractor & vendor relations, and work in progress for brand compliance.

- Refurbished, maintained and transported Brother Embroidery machines (BE-1201, BES-1240, BES-1216).

- Assisted Distribution by pulling new store packages, forklift operation and maintaining inventory thereof.

- Awarded “Most Miles Traveled” of any 2016 field staff member due to customer requests.

Embroidery Graphics Manager

Affinity Apparel/Riverside Uniforms - Atlanta, GA July 1997 - April 2015

Managed and coordinated all embroidery digitizing and editing while co-managing embroidery QC and efficiency for six production floors with 78 employees over two shifts for a $250MM corporate uniform company. Clients included: Anheuser-Busch, UPS, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Miller-Coors, A Southern Company (Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power), Touchstone Energy, PG&E.

- Created, managed and distributed 7400+ designs to 7 facilities in GA, NV, and Ireland running 200 collective sewing heads while collaborating with Engineering for most efficient sew times without losing quality.

Trained and managed a staff of 4 embroidery digitizers and editors.

- Worked with QC to establish standards and troubleshoot customer complaints.

- Researched all machinery, software, supply and accessory purchases for upper management.

- Coordinated with Sales in account management, customer art criteria, sample coordination and approval.

- Provided R&D design specs for successful Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Fire Department badge programs.

- Established digitizing and sewing standards for new FR (Flame Resistant) embroidery thread which made Power Line/HVAC product line possible.

- User/operator of: APS-Ethos Digitizing software, Adobe Photoshop, Pulse Networking System, Tajima TEHX-C1501 embroidery machine.

Embroidery Graphics Manager

Southern Corporate Promotions - Peachtree City, GA September 1995 - May 1997

Managed and coordinated all embroidery digitizing and editing while co-managing embroidery QC and efficiency for a production floor of 58 Happy sewing heads and 3 subcontractors. Created and managed 900+ design database for a $30MM golfing-related promotional company. Clients included: PGA and LPGA Courses and Tours, NCAA, NASCAR.

- Supported Sales in account management, customer service, art criteria, sample coordination and approval.

- Collaborated with QC to establish standards, troubleshoot production issues, and address customer complaints.

- User/operator of: Gunold APS Digitizing and Drawing software.

Embroidery Graphics Manager

Riverside Uniforms - Atlanta, GA October 1993 - September 1995

Established and managed first in-house Embroidery Graphics Department feeding 5 facilities consisting of 132 sewing heads for a $200MM uniform apparel company. Clients included: UPS, Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing, Pinkerton Security, Pepsi, Coca-Cola.

- Initiated customer art criteria, QC standards, production SOPs, and digitizing specs for minimal sew times.

- Trained and managed two staff digitizers while personally creating 900+ designs.

- Coordinated with Sales & Marketing in design approval and Customer Service to address complaints.

- User/operator of: Gunold APS Digitizing and Drawing software, MicroStitch Network System.

Research & Development Graphics Manager

Vanity Fair Apparel, JanSport Division - Appleton, WI January 1993 - October 1993

Generated original and textured embroidery designs while managing in-house Digitizing Department of 3 digitizers for a $150MM NCAA-licensed apparel & backpack company. Clients included: all NCAA colleges (including best-selling Notre Dame), all NCAA athletic tournaments, Barnes and Noble, Borders Bookstores.

- Supported Sr. Art Director, VPs of Sales & Marketing and Production with creative and technical input.

- User/operator of: Gunold APS Digitizing and Drawing software.

Customer Support Specialist/Designer/Digitizer

Gunold + Stickma of America - Kennesaw, GA July 1986 - December 1992

Provided concept art, digitizing, customer service, support and training on all applications of embroidery design (including appliqué) on 3 software packages for a $200MM international embroidery supply, design and software company. Clients included: Nike, Levi Strauss, Russell Athletic, Champion, Carter’s, Land's End, Reebok, Starter.

- Supported 500+ international customers on 5 different digitizing/networking software packages while providing American feedback to developers.

- Provided tech support to Sales & Marketing on all sales calls, trade shows and seminars.

- Established and taught courses on embroidery design/digitizing on 3 digitizing packages.

- Served as industry consultant in setting up and improving all facets of embroidery process SOPs.

- Trained and supervised 6 designers while maintaining QC standards.

- Coordinated sample orders for all new sales while resolving customer complaints.

- Company exhibitor and trainer at all AAMA trade shows.

User/operator of: Gunold APS, PunchMaster, Pulse Pro-Stitch Digitizing software, Passport Machine Data Collector, Zeus Laser Cutter, Jacquard and GNT paper tape punchers.

Education/Certifications

Course Completion: Supervisory Skills & Employee Training

Fox Valley Technical College - Appleton, WI January 1993 - April 1993

Course Completion: Planning & Developing Training Programs

Kennesaw State University - Kennesaw, GA January 1992 - April 1992

Associates of Arts in Visual Communications

Art Institute of Atlanta - Atlanta, GA July 1984 - July 1986

Certified Microsoft Office

October 2020

Certified Forklift Operator

September 2016

Certified Embroidery Tradesman (European Vocational Apprenticeship Program via Gunold + Stickma GmbH)

July 1986 - June 1988

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