Results driven product development & Design for manufacturing

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KAREN VON CLEZIE

Thornton, CO ***** • 508-***-****

http://www.linkedin.com/in/karenvonclezie • **************@*******.*** QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE

A seasoned Product Designer/Developer, adept in creating consumer soft goods, leveraging extensive expertise in enhancing user experience and fostering robust vendor relations. Skilled in translating subject matter into concrete designs for a wide range of lifestyle bags, personal accessories, backpacks, business cases, soft coolers, pet accessories and luggage. Exceptional creative, collaborative and interpersonal skills; able to build exceptional rapport with internal stake holders, driving successful product life cycles and design changes. Areas of Expertise

Design for Manufacturing

Pattern Making & Sewing

HF Welded Products

PLM Management

Supply Chain Management

Project & Calendar Timelines

Lab-Dip Processes

Ai Prompt Engineer

Team Leadership/Training

Technical Problem-Solving

Color, Materials, Finish, Trim

Research & Development

EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE, KVC SOLUTIONS, THORNTON, CO - CURRENT

New product design for WeDrawn, Gembah and Target. Multiple soft goods solutions including; diaper bags, dog collars, doggy diapers, dog toys, closet solutions and luggage caddy’s. PETWISE, Broomfield, CO

Canine Accessories Product Designer Developer, February, 2022 – April, 2023 New product design and development for canine travel accessories with the Sherpa Pet and Trusty Pup brands. Key Achievements:

Designed and developed up to 30 products for re-branding of the new Sherpa products. To be launched in specialty retail and online channels in 2024.

Successfully re-developed products to have a fresh current look and better FOB from all suppliers. EAGLE CREEK, A VF CORPORATION, Denver, CO

Senior Product Developer, 2018-2020

Creatively and effectively adapted to commuting to Carlsbad CA and develop all products for 2019, 2020, and 2021 until the company relocated to the Denver Metro area. The most successful product launch was “Caldera” which won outside magazine GEAR OF THE YEAR 2020. All other projects were delayed because of COVID-19. Key Achievements:

Successfully led the Vietnam team of Product Developers and mentored the development teams of both JanSport and Eagle Creek in the temporary offices.

Provided expertise in prototyping of some new product initiatives for single layer and triple layer mask designs and other personal, protective, equipment products during the COVID-19 pandemic. HYDRO FLASK, A Division of Helen of Troy, Bend, OR Senior Product Developer, Soft Goods 2017 – 2018

Facilitate and drive the project management of all soft goods product initiatives. Responsible for weekly team meetings that highlight and drive the product challenges and successes of each project. Key Achievements:

Managed the development of all new welded coolers and backpacks with multiple trips to the vendor.

Implemented new systems and processes for lab dip management and relations with new materials suppliers. KAREN VON CLEZIE

508-***-**** • **************@*******.***

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SAMSONITE, Mansfield, MA

Senior Product Developer/Designer, 2012 – 2017

Effectively create and manage all product design packages within assigned categories. Responsible for lab-dip management and print development. Project management of all new and existing projects for cost control and quality. Analyze and research trends for color, material and finish as well as sales market validation. Partner with existing vendors on all new development, as well as, brought new vendor relations to the sourcing team for improvement in supply chain quality and consistency.

Key Achievements:

Successfully developed all Reebok licensed products to improve sell-through for all key accounts of up to $10 million dollars in 2 years.

Co-collaborator of Speck branded backpacks that were successfully sold-in to key accounts for 2017. NATHAN OUTDOOR, A Division of PENGUIN BRANDS, Sharon Hill, PA Senior Product Designer/Developer, 2010-2012

Specialized in product design and development for hydration specialty packs and reflective safety categories for global distribution. Analyzed, researched and oversaw colors, material, trim, lab-dip management, and new factory sourcing. Provided training and management of design teams in respective projects. Increased efficiency and communication through problem solving techniques in department and vendor selection. Key Achievements:

Researched and implemented PLM systems across multi-functional business units.

Designed new products for running accessories and hydration pack categories JANSPORT, A VF CORPORATION, San Leandro, CA

Product Development Manager

Managed collections sold to specialty retail environments in limited distribution. Aided in hiring, training, and preparing new product developers in the USA and China for product development, with partners in Asia. Collaborated with PLM Systems Management to streamline and select a new PLM database Key Achievements:

Met target margins of up to 95% during product development life cycle by creating a product specification process increasing efficiency in team morale.

Implemented RD&D calendars and standardized seasonal style allocation at all retail distributors and International Development Centers.

Senior Product Developer

Trained and managed up to eight junior product developers to utilize PLM systems and product design foundations. Conducted extensive overseas travel with multiple business partners to problem solve and troubleshoot product consistency and integrity. Created and developed limited distribution collections. Key Achievements:

Awarded JanSport “Teamwork” award in 2007

Successfully managed multiple projects with detailed processes and specialized aesthetics. EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelor of Fine Arts, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, OH – COMPLETED Fiber Art Studies, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE, MO – COURSE WORK IN SURFACE DESIGN AND FIBER ARTS Foundation Art Studies, COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, OH – COURSE WORK IN FOUNDATION STUDIES TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES VOLUNTEER WORK

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Ai prompt engineering in Mid-Journey, NewArc, Vizcom & Firefly Product Life Cycle (PLM) Software

Microsoft Office, Workday, Smartsheet

Drawing, Painting, Industrial Sewing, Sculpture

PORTFOLIO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

CCAD Student Mentor, 2022

High Desert Museum, Bend, OR

The Children’s Museum, Oakland, CA

Contact this candidate