Maria Elena Makalinao: Senior Production Manager in Aberdeen, NJ

? Strong team leader taking initiative analyzing new programs for lead times, cost and profit viability, and leveraging from big volume accounts ? Manager of 7 sourcing associates that was responsible for production with $200M+ volume per year in private label accounts of men's and women's wovens, denim, knits, outerwear, and accessories ? Have sourced over $1B of volume in 16 years through almost every category ? Seasonally lead cost process negotiations to make sure company margins were met and seasonally conducted buy meetings with production, design, technical teams ? Leading initiative to move manufacturing from China to Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh ? Worked with different LF country/hub managers and factory owners in identifying priorities in line with business needs ? Communicated with customers to resolve high value production issues and offer key solutions on critical sourcing issues and challenges ? Worked extensively with all cross functional teams from product sampling through last minute details involving cost, production, and shipment ? Managed time and action calendars across multiple categories in order to meet customers deliveries through various country allocations Expert Sustainable Manufacturing Procurement Manager ? Partnered with design and overseas teams to find affordable alternatives without sacrificing product integrity ? Core expertise in sustainable alternatives to denim, outerwear, and knits with comparable quality and cost Production Merchandiser ? Instrumental in expanding the knit business from 5M to $75M by managing new categories - women's fleece and the entire men's knits ? Responsible for daily communications between clients, overseas partners, suppliers, and factories in sampling, costing, production, delivery, and customer feedback

? Purchased piece goods from domestic and international suppliers ? Tracked fabric and trims from order placement to finished goods ? Worked with design and sales on costing and delivery ? Negotiated with suppliers and local contractors for best price and delivery ? Headed the company's first importation of finished goods and communicated with international factories on a daily basis ? Responsible for hiring and training new staff for both domestic production and imports

? Owned and operated a clothing company that manufactured special occasion dresses ? Developed a private label brand for target customers from initial design to bulk production ? Worked directly with wholesalers and retail stores