Octavia Alkema: in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Octavia Alkema

Rancho Santa Margarita | United States
Skills
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Interests
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Work experience
Merchsource LLC
Brand Manager | 12/2016 - 11/2018
• Manage brands across multiple categories with 300+ SKUs which includes seasonal line plan creation & development, channel strategy, pricing and gross target margin, seasonal forecast to meet financial alignment and SKU efficiency goals
• Manage programs for partner retailers from conception to production; Kohls, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, JCPenny and Macy’s
• Develop retailer brand programs, prepare customer profiles, make product suggestions and work closely with Account Manager to ensure retailer needs are met
• Manage and approve all production products and artwork for in-house, private label and licensor brands
• Work directly with licensing partner Discovery / Animal Planet on all new and current product and artwork to ensure they meet the licensor requirements
• Brief and collaborate with the Design team while also evaluating ongoing in-line products and styleguides to ensure continuous improvements and identify new category opportunities
• Work with outside photo studios on product imagery, advise on set design, models, apparel and approve images via email or attend photoshoots
• Provided feedback and suggestions on an ongoing basis to cross-functional teams based on research of trend and market information, both qualitative and quantitative
• Work with design team to create concept, develop product and review samples
• Negotiate cost with multiple overseas suppliers and assign product spec and provide feedback on issues and award business
• Work directly with overseas partners to ensure they understand the product design
• Participate in sourcing fabrication, cost and negotiate lead times with suppliers
U Brands
Product & Development Manager | 08/2016 - 12/2016
• Manage programs for partner retailers from conception to production; Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Costco, Sam’s Club
• Work with design team to create concept, develop product and review samples
• Negotiate cost with multiple overseas suppliers and assign product spec and provide feedback on issues and award business
• Manage and maintain accurate records of product details, factory information, materials, and dimensions
• Help create and manage item numbers, UPC, Master Case and Inner Case codes
Thirty Three Threads - ToeSox, Tavi Noir
Product Line Manager | 04/2016 - 07/2016
• Managed both brands across multiple categories with 300+ SKUs which includes seasonal line plan creation & development, channel strategy, pricing and gross target margin
• Worked directly with overseas suppliers to ensure they understand the product design
• Participate in sourcing fabrication, cost and negotiate lead times with suppliers
Sanuk (Deckers Brand)
ASSOCIATE GLOBAL PRODUCT LINE MANAGER - WOMENS & KIDS | 10/2015 - 04/2016
• Managed global Women’s line of 100+ SKUs and evolved best-selling styles to engage new customers
• Managed global Kid’s line of 80+ SKUs, implemented smaller sizes
• Increased global business of Kid’s product by 2% by introducing two new kid’s footwear programs
• Managed all global SMU request, assist Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Journeys, Buckle, DSW and REI in SMU selection, responsible for all samples and ensured delivery of efficient product
• Implemented and launched SMU request form and time-line, which improved overall process for each department and due date efficiency
• Assisted in seasonal forecast, to meet financial alignment and SKU efficiency goals
• Briefed and collaborated with Design team while also evaluating ongoing in-line product to ensure continuous improvements and identify new category opportunities
• Owned and executed seasonal meetings such as pre-lines, initial and final line reviews, costing and Key Account meetings
Sanuk (Deckers Brand)
PRODUCT LINE COORDINATOR | 08/2013 - 10/2014
PRODUCT LINE COORDINATOR
Sanuk (Deckers Brand) / Irvine, Ca / August 2013 - October 2014
• Flex PLM Super User, manage and input all data into Flex PLM , style, color, MSRP, and features and benefits,
train all new users on system
• Product knowledge educator - travel to store openings and educate store employees on product; educate new
corporate employees on past and current product
• Participated in key accounts product knowledge videos for their employees
• Created product knowledge training guide for domestic and international use
• Attended Customer Experience Conference in San Fransisco to better understand how consumers react to
product and retail displays
• Attended and participated in seasonal catalog photoshoots, providing product styling direction and ensured all
merchandising and product/marketing stories get photographed
• Collaborated on new style names with Marketing and provided legal background check
• Assisted Designers with CADs when needed
• Supported Development and Marketing/Graphics as Fit/Foot Model for new styles, catalog and go-to market
assets
J Brand
eCOMMERCE COORDINATOR | 04/2011 - 08/2013
eCOMMERCE COORDINATOR
J Brand / Los Angeles, Ca / April 2011 - August 2013
• Supported website operations and delivered a premier online shopping experience
• Displayed high level of digital visual merchandising, built category collections on the website and maintained/refreshed
products found in each category collection deemed important for a given timeframe
• Managed and reviewed all product assets for Men’s and Women’s denim and Ready-To-Wear, ie product copy,
images and accuracy
• Passed weekly product information to eCommerce partner, ie product copy, product imagery, and revised assets
• Established collaborative relationships with the Allocation/Customer Service teams to ensure timely delivery of
product
• Assisted with category updates, stories for email, homepage, category pages and advise of product availability to
ensure the promotion items are in stock or will arrive in a timely manne