Ben Hayes: Director of Manufacturing in San Marcos, CA

Lead the complete range of development activities for snowboarding products, including managing all strategic planning, concept design, market research, and executing training for the management team on updates. Key supporter to the Sales and Marketing teams during spring, summer, and holiday sell-in and sell-through efforts. Serve as the subject matter expert in relation to development, communication with the Sales & Marketing Managers, the Purchasing department, and outside supply vendors. Collaborate with the CEO to refine development strategies to ensure products meet market needs, and remain in-line with current trends in design, shape, and riding style. Identify sustainable materials that meet product standards. Meet with Sales Manager to analyze current sales performance and dealer feedback to target new model revisions in shape, price, design, and art. Build positive relationships with suppliers to better understand production capabilities, applications, and techniques to better refine designs, materials, and shaping opportunities for each new line. Spearhead the initial sales team training to ensure that both the sales and customer service teams are fully up to date on all products in order to better met set sales goals.

Served as lead on all project planning, coordination, and initial product development, ensured consistent, accurate, and efficient execution. Communicated and coordinated across diverse internal teams to create and implement detailed product timelines. Created and managed all documentation related to project plans, specifications, implementation goals for all new product launches and measures. Analyzed timelines and executed meetings to establish that all projects were and remained on track, that deliverables were clear, and that all milestones were met. Implemented updated Standard Operating Procedures utilized across all foreign and domestic manufacturing plants. Created a weekly goal update, highlighting changes and issues to ensure department management remained current. Fostered a close relationship with the Product Development and Production teams to easily address product requirements for all upcoming launches. Quickly and effectively managed numerous projects at once, each meeting tight time goals.