Steve Lang: Vice President, Product Development in San Diego, CA
Steve Lang
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Vice President, Product Development
San Diego | United States
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Work experience
Equity Management
Vice President, Product Development | 04/2015 - Current
Equity Management is a licensing agency focusing on corporate brand management. EMI represents primarily Fortune 500 companies and manages the largest global corporate licensing program.
I currently oversee all product development in brand advancement and brand extension, as well as functions in client and licensee management, potential licensee review, and new business strategy and development.
Cartwheel Kids
Director, Product Development | 03/2013 - 01/2015
• 45% time annually spent in Hong Kong and China directing vendors (12) and agents/staff (9)
• Oversee all aspects of $20MM hardline development including spec creation, sourcing, engineering review, quality testing, and production
• Create and execute development and production roadmaps for 20+ SKUs simultaneously for initial retail sets
• Mentor internal development staff and build cohesive development/operations team between Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Hong Kong/China
• Influence external vendor partners to meet high aesthetic and quality standards, expedited project timelines, and develop a clear understanding of license/brand aesthetic requirements
• Lead cost and schedule negotiations, product engineering, coordinate product testing, and give production approval
• Resolve process roadblocks and create workaround solutions to maintain schedules
• Monitor production capacity vs PO tracking, ensure product availability for DOM/FOB shipments
Kidkraft
Product Manager | 11/2010 - 03/2013
• Built the foundation for new Development team, mapping process and key milestones, and integrated new group into existing cross-functional teams. Grew to 7 employees.
• Manage development of the top 3 categories equaling 63% of global company revenue with emphasis on cost negotiations and schedule management
• Successfully upgraded design/development team workflow with introduction of SolidWorks 3D software (vs AutoCAD)
• Championed and implemented $1.5MM packaging cost-savings initiative on existing products
• Daily communication with international office and vendors in China, including factory visits
Mattel
Senior Project Management Associate | 01/2008 - 09/2010
• Project management lead for Girls business unit’s new brand launches (Monster High is now $1B) ensuring products meet development milestones on schedule and under budget
• Improved standard lead times by 46% through planning and executing new benchmark process for high profile new brand product launch
• Achieve annual production of 5MM+ units at internal and OEM manufacturing facilities through coordination of development milestones
• Strengthen relationships with overseas colleagues and vendors in China, Indonesia, and Mexico through daily communication and onsite travel
• Supervise and train team of direct reports (2) in new product development
Mattel
Senior Product Engineer | 01/2006 - 01/2008
• Business unit’s engineering and development lead for fashion dolls category
• Build tool plans for new products with emphasis on part design and material selection ensuring manufacturing feasibility and cost efficiency
• Coordinate samples for development, line reviews, and trade shows
• Lead presentations at internal line reviews for executive management and patent attorneys and external meetings for ad agencies and licensing partners.
Mattel
Cost Engineer | 11/2004 - 01/2006
• Manage $110MM P&L achieving margin and product cost targets at the brand and sku levels
• Cross functional team expert in building cost estimates for new designs and competitor products including electronics, molded parts and soft goods.
• US liaison to overseas factories, leading price negotiations and communicating product specs
Jakks Pacific
Cost Engineer | 10/2003 - 11/2004
• Managed P&L to 20% growth surpassing annual financial margin targets for girls toys, writing instruments, and stationery
• Examined parts and components to ascertain purpose, cost and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations
• Developed cost estimates and provide financial analyses for proposed new concepts and existing competing product
Education history
Georgia Tech
BS Mechanical Engineering | 1997 - 2003
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