Innovative Textile & Product Design Leader

Michelle Letendre

Brighton, MI ****************@*****.*** 810-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-letendre

Dynamic & Proven Textile, Product and Innovation Leader Textile and product design & development professional with extensive global experience in multiple industries including automotive and apparel. Exceptional leadership and management skills with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement. Excel at leading cross-functional teams in reaching common goals and global strategies. Innovation ǀ Product Design & Development ǀ Textile Engineering ǀ Sourcing ǀ Vendor Development Continuous Improvement ǀ People Development ǀ Retail Ivory Vines & Coast on Main Retail stores with a combined sales revenue of close to $1 million Owner and Founder 2018-present

Run and manage all aspects of 2 retail stores including: buying, design, development, staffing, budgeting, payroll and marketing.

o Built a following of loyal customers with a core value of community engagement and philanthropy. o Increased sales from $25K to combined sales of almost $1 million in 6 years. LMS Textile Consulting, LLC Independent consulting company supporting a wide variety of clients with textile and product development and innovation.

Owner/Consultant 2014-present

Support clients as needed including functions such as: fabric sourcing, pattern development, sample sewing, production sewing sourcing, fiber/yarn/fabric development, product development and design, market strategies, team education, sales support and more.

o Successful implementation and launch of a high-performance fiber into athletic materials for $30+ Billion multinational conglomerate.

o Designed and developed innovation concepts for $200+ Billion software company. o Created design, production and sourcing strategies for startup brands. Tectonics & Prinstant Partner companies specializing in large format and on-demand printing. Director Material Innovation & Sourcing 2020-2022

Responsible for managing all sourcing activities for both business divisions. Drive new product design and development while leveraging manufacturing capabilities to develop new business opportunities. o Realized 25%+ savings on current Tectonics fabrics through comprehensive sourcing activity. o Creation of fabric library, specification documentation and vendor review process for both divisions. o Trend forecasting, product design and development and cut and sew evaluations for Print On Demand business. Nike, Inc $50+ Billion athletic footwear and apparel brand with a focus on game changing innovation Senior Materials Researcher, Apparel Innovation 2011-2014 Main Projects:

o NFL & College Football, On-Field Uniforms. Delivered new fabric technology with superior performance for moisture management and stain release while improving the environmental rating of the material. Adopted by the entire NFL and Nike college teams. Successful implementation of a fabric developed from the polymer level. o Whole Garment Manufacturing. Explored all methods of fabric formation to create revolutionary products and concepts. Contributed to 4 patents and design concept featured in 2016 US Olympic Medal Stand Uniforms. o Residual Sweat Odor Research. Delivered significant research and identified the “cause” of residual sweat odor. Lear Corporation American manufacturer of automotive seating and electrical systems. Material Development Manager 2009-2010

Lead and manage the global design and engineering team for fabric and leather development. Manage fabric and leather construction and color development activities for all Global OEM customers. o Led Asian team to successful implementation of first North American production fabric. o Created vision and managed all design and development activities to provide the first global fabric & leather libraries.

o Successful development of one of the first 100% recycled fabrics for automotive applications. Michelle Letendre

General Motors Corporation Fortune 25 global vehicle manufacturer charting a path to zero crashes, zero congestion and zero emissions

Senior Project Engineer, Leather Development 2004-2009 Global lead for leather engineering and development with responsibility for global specifications, statement of requirements and strategies including vendor evaluations and management. Lead cross-functional team to investigate trim cover warranty causes and develop corrective action recommendations and plans for fabric and leather. o Successful innovation and implementation of thermal leather, leather wrapped interior trim and stain resistant leather.

o Organized, lead and facilitated a 2-week face to face meeting with regional partners to develop and finalize specifications and procedures for leather, fabric, carpet and vinyl. o Managed a supply base of over 20 leather suppliers. Cost Reduction Manager – Exterior Systems Management Team 2003-2004 Represent Exterior Systems on Corporate Material Cost Reduction Team. Lead and motivate 11 creativity teams to achieve targets and establish strategies for future reductions. Engage 400+ team members to support material cost reduction through education and providing opportunities and inspiration for additional idea generation. o Achieved 20% reduction in 1 year for over a $4 billion annual purchase value. o Presented status, achievements and roadblocks to Corporate Executive Leadership. Senior Project Engineer – Materials Engineer 2001-2003 Provide technical material support for seat, restraint, overhead, floor and cargo systems for the entire truck platform. Liaison from program teams to development groups for various material developments. Resolve material performance problems that arise in assembly plants in conjunction with supplier quality and purchasing. o Proposed, obtained approval and implemented over $2 million savings for Mid-Size Truck Group. Senior Contact Engineer – Fabric Development 1998-2001 Management of component and fabric suppliers to provide on time completion of engineering development process. Partner with purchasing and design to evaluate fabric proposals for new programs. Engineering analysis and technical approval of all proposed specification revisions and material modifications after design release. Monitor, analyze and eliminate production and field performance issues related to fabric. o Successfully mentored new fabric suppliers to the North American market in obtaining new business. o Implemented product improvements to significantly decrease warranty issues. Patagonia, Inc. Leading brand of outdoor clothing and equipment with a mission to “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Product Manager 1996-1998

Manage a group of products from the design phase through all phases of production. Develop and maintain all product information and provide a production perspective to the team. Work directly with cut and sew factories to achieve the highest quality at the appropriate price and meet production schedules. Interact with various departments concerning fabric, yield and markers, cost, raw materials and quality. o Led a decision matrix project to determine at what point production decisions should be made considering successful implementation versus loss of revenue and investment. Quality Assurance Analyst 1996-1996

Identify and address production fabric quality issues. Travel to contractors and vendors to monitor performance and maintain relationships. Manage and prioritize development and production testing. Work with fabric development team to test and analyze new fabrics.

o Mentored and trained new hires in lab procedures, evaluation and reporting. Carhartt, Inc. American clothing brand that builds rugged products to serve and protect hardworking people. Product Design & Development 1994-1996

New fabric selections and body style development. Create and maintain fabric specification sheets, initial purchasing of fabric and cost reports. Coordinate photo layouts for seasonal catalogs and presentation of new lines to sales force. o Successfully researched and developed both fabric and garments for Flame Retardant Clothing Line. o Implemented the first use of computer drawing program and created all garment line drawings. Michelle Letendre

EDUCATION

Michigan State University

Bachelor of Science – Apparel Design & Textile Engineering Wayne State University

Master of Business Administration – Supply Chain & Logistics VOLUNTEERING

Brighton High School Senior All Night Party

President, 2021-Present

Committee Chair, 2019-2021

Parent Teacher Organization, Brighton High School

Member, 2024-Present

Vice-President, 2023-2024

President, 2021-2023

Member, 2018-2021

Parent Teacher Organization, Maltby Intermediate

School

President, 2016-2020

Vice-President 2014-2016

Brighton Area Schools Pack of Dogs

Team Member, 2018-Present

I Will Right Now Foundation

Board Member, 2017-2021

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