Kathryn Stringer: Product Developer 2 in San Francisco, CA

•Development of soft goods with the design team to create successful pack/vest/belt fit, construction, and cost on new and carryover styles from initial concept to production •Collaborate with design and product management to develop hardgoods color, material, finish, and graphics on new, SMU, and carryover product styles of bottles, caps, and drinkware •Leader in the trend and development research for hardgoods color, material, finish with suppliers providing new decoration techniques and finishes to apply for future seasons •Manage hardgoods and softgoods proto development with suppliers; identify, test, and address key issues and in the proto build, cost, and CMF with internal teams to deliver the desired product •Soft goods factory costing and negotiation and cost engineering to meet margin goals •Lead the transition of the hardgoods product development to a new overseas supplier and worked with internal sourcing teams to set up a new soft goods product and supplier •Manage soft trims development and soft trim supplier relationships for all new and existing trims •Travel to suppliers in Asia and the US, for onsite proto development and trend research

•Participated in retail merchandising including set-up of window displays and retail floor sets at Rip Curl’s flagship stores. •Created new and product fill vendor purchase orders for retail Rip Curl stores. •Conducted market research of competitive brand products, supported sales presentations for weekly retail sales meetings, cross referenced orders for the e-commerce department, and assisted men’s buyer in selecting product color ways for dealers.