Mechille Kiss: in Bellingham, WA

* Directed and managed all aspects of $6M+ private label glove and accessory division from hiring staff, new business, design, development, and production. * Managed West Coast based design and development team while working cross-functionally with other divisions and global offices. * Worked closely with global premium brands such as Rapha, Black Diamond, Saucony, Kuiu, and Canada Goose from initial design to retail sell through. * Defined and negotiated financial terms for new and existing customers. * Provided market insight, technical product expertise, product briefing, support, and guidance to design and development throughout the creative process. * Successfully created and implemented long term growth strategies with customers, resulting in year over year growth in excess of 20%. * Created and managed multiple seasonal timelines with factories and customers to enable a successful and profitable commercial production. * Led development in sourcing innovation in sustainability and technologies with suppliers and venders for materials and treatments. * Successfully drove price negotiations with suppliers, factories, and customers to increase overall profitability. * Developed and drove new internal processes to help increase efficiency and create effective workflow.

* Managed and guided the design, development, and production of all snowboard, skiing and cycling glove divisions. * Created a complete and merchandised glove line from design through delivery for the largest Dakine Snow category, resulting in $20M in net sales annually. * Worked to create and execute on a strategic 4-year line plan that yielded 24% growth in the US and 52% in Europe. * Provided market insight, product briefing, support and guidance to design and development throughout the process. * Worked with key partners, suppliers and vendors to introduce new technologies and innovations into the market. * Collaborated with marketing on key stories for the season, ensuring that the product was presented to the target customer appropriately. * Offered technical expertise and presented new product at design reviews for both US and EU sales meetings and trade shows. * Strategized factory allocation and margin goals for each season, which led to increased margin dollars year over year. * Created and adhered to strict timelines throughout development and production. * Established, evaluated, and managed domestic and foreign supplier and vendor relations. Frequently visited factories for price negotiations and QC inspections. * Successfully hired and trained glove team. Collaborated with team to create processes and procedures to increase efficiencies and successful internal and external communication. * Managed seasonal development costs and team travel costs for budget reporting, positively impacting overall department profitability.

* Prepared and maintained product specification packages. Created and implemented new processes to better track tech packs, fit and QC. * Performed daily communications with vendors and suppliers. * Assisted in the sourcing and development of new materials, treatments and embellishments. Maintained fabric and treatment sample libraries. * Monitored quality control standards for build, fit, materials and finished products. * Maintained internal product copy databases for catalog, hang tag and website. * Assisted Customer Service and Warranty Departments with technical support. * Provided additional support for photo shoots, trade shows, sales meetings and focus groups as required.

* Responsible for the design, development, and production of accessories for multiple clients within the outdoor industry. i.e., REI, Outdoor Research, Mt Hardware, Ride, Kona, Brooks, MEC, Pearl Izumi. * Provided client support throughout the design and development process. Designed appropriate accessories for end use and price targets. Provided line analysis, trend forecasting, market research. * Created and maintained detailed specification packages. * Developed and sourced new material and trims while creating and maintaining resource libraries. * Worked closely with factories on pricing and material selection. * Created and maintained seasonal timelines with factories and customer. * Provided detailed sample reviews of fit and pattern to create fit standards. * Collaborated with overseas team members to provide quality control standards for factory execution.