Melissa Mullen: FREELANCE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT in Los Angeles, CA

Short and long-term projects providing services and consultation on development processes, raw materials, sourcing strategies, manufacturing, planning, calendar development, costing, and tech-pack /BOM creation. • ARBOR COLLECTIVE: Recruited to organize and implement all aspects of the newly envisioned apparel line, partnering with CEO and PLM's of Snow & Skate divisions to understand customer needs and expectations. Worked with vendors to create standard processes for all development and pre-production stages, create fit blocks for each product category, and establish overall raw material and quality standards. • ATELIER & REPAIRS: Worked with founders of this vintage and upcycled product line to address infrastructure challenges. Redesigned existing manufacturing model from tailor-made to in-line production, significantly increasing efficiency. Partnered with CEO to establish short and long-range goals to drive process improvement, system enhancements, and organizational alignment between departments

• Managed product creation from design hand-off to production in all apparel categories • Established, evaluated and managed domestic and global suppliers within the Americas, Asia, and Europe • Implemented and assessed standard procedures for internal and external processes and communication • Created product placement strategies to drive better pricing and strengthen key vendor relationships • Negotiated costs and terms based on target mark-up, while developing product to meet Filson standards • Worked with Demand Planning on MOQ, buy dates, reorder dates, lead-times, and greige commitments • Oversaw outcome of all production issues, vendor claims and raw material liability claims • Key member in ERP implementation representing all product team users; collaborated cross-functionally to standardize and test operations from start to finish, co-authored SOP's and Product Creation user manuals

Anticipated and resolved production issues during the development and pre-production phases, addressing all aspects of construction, quality, fit, fabric, and finish • Supervised and prioritized workflow for sample room, patternmaker, and tech designer • Oversaw all aspects of off-price programs for discount retailers, development through production

• Solely managed and executed all development from concept through production with full-package vendors • Collaborated with Creative Director on seasonal themes, new concepts, in-line edits, fit, and fabrications • Increased gross margin 4-8% by negotiating costs and sourcing alternatives in raw materials and finishing • Communicated all changes with a sufficient sense of urgency, thus allowing timely delivery of goods

Formed a structured Pre-Production department by directing, recruiting, training, and empowering team members within patternmaking, tech design, and sample sewing • Created managed all pre-production processes, revising as needed to meet changing needs of the company • Executed strategies to reduce overall lead-time, allowing a competitive edge in marketplace • Worked with patternmakers to create standard blocks for all silhouettes, ensuring consistency of fit

• Intimately involved in all aspects of building the brand from initial concept to first market • Teamed with Director of Product Development on design, fit, wash development, and sourcing • Managed all prototype development, approval, production, inventory, and distribution • Implemented sample room inventory and maintenance systems for all fabric, trims, and salesman samples • Created and maintained seasonal line lists, development calendars, BOM's, and cost sheets

• Oversaw the development, sourcing, and costing of all trims, embroideries and screen prints • Coordinated the production and distribution of salesman samples to 18 showrooms and global distributers • Delivered complete garment costing to production team