Timothy Manning: Development Sourcing Strategist , President @ Manning Consultants LLC in New York, New York

Vice President of Production and Sourcing • Established the production and sourcing organization for the categories of indoor and outdoor modular furniture, accessories, home electronics, custom upholstered covers and leather covers. • Transformed the pervious supply chain from a single country base to a diversified supplier community in South East Asia and Western Hemisphere. The shift was required to mitigate risk, lower SKU COGS and SKU redundancy. Key SKUs were multi-sourced as back up for consistent inventory levels. • Set up quarterly reviews of country ratio mix to view potential raw material cost flux, currency rate shifts and geo-politic risk, for supplier selection and PO placement over time. • Negotiated core SKU cost for average IMU lifts of 20% higher in a four year time period to enhance the EBITDA. • Negotiated to mitigate 75% of imposed China tariffs by tailoring and creating supplier agreements for rebates, COG decrease and PO volume dollar commits. • Identified fabric mills outside China in South East Asia and Western Hemisphere that are far more margin rich without the 25% tariff. • Evaluated and selected equipment, from domestic and European suppliers, for increasing uniformity, efficiency and product margin, among partnerships for sewing assembly in the Western Hemisphere. • Provided fabric mill projection that allowed suppliers to create consistent capacity flows to ensure that inventory was filled to sales demand. • Managed the relationships with the freight forwarders on the movement of containers, in coordination with the logistics team and the suppliers. • Equipped the product engineers, technical designers and VP of Design with new manufacturing processes and materials to support product innovation. • Developed a partnership with an eco-friendly global packaging supplier that ensured non-coated recycled paper was used, there was color consistency to Brand standards, and recycled paper pulp molds were created to pass FedEx drop test.

Built a comprehensive sourcing and production strategy for the re-launch of the brand Established a base of international and domestic vendors, chosen for low MOQ, quality and flexibility Set the business protocol, policy, and wrote the vendor manual Planned yearly and seasonal calendars for merchant, design and production Aligned vendor allocation, logistics, and distribution center, to achieve 95% on-time delivery of goods to customers Recruited and managed a team of technical designers, production assistants, and a domestic factory liaison Travelled monthly to fabric mills, vendor trade shows and to factories for sourcing, direct communication on cost, review of bulk product quality, and coordination of sample development Guided technical fittings for re-engineering of garment construction to improve cost and fit

A globally oriented sourcing professional with years of experience sourcing/ product development and vendor management across Asia, Mexico/ Central America delivering consistent results through exceptional cost negotiation, team building and love of product. Scope of responsibility covers Sourcing, Product development, Design, Quality, Logistics, and Manufacturing. Product categories include Apparel, Home textiles, and fashion accessories. please contact timothy.manning1@gmail.com

Sourcing Manager – Textiles – Top of Bed / Pillow / Window / Flooring / Bath Developed and implemented seasonal and annual sourcing strategies for an expanding retail specialty brand Increased IMU margin by 6% through cost negotiations, raw material commitments and narrowing vendor allocation Maintained a consistent record of exceeding department goals of reducing cost and product return rates through product reengineering and multi-sourcing Applied knowledge of manufacturing processes and textile finishing to leverage cost negotiation to best market condition Reviewed product testing reports and settled, by negotiation with vendors, all product quality claims and fabric liability issues Traveled internationally to identify new and innovative factory sources, communicate sourcing strategy and for direct cost negotiations Shared my knowledge of factory production environments with underestimated vendors to improve capabilities, efficiency, product quality and lower cost Mediated through recommendation, the design team’s aesthetic and the merchants’ cost parameters to achieve brand goals Created and managed the sourcing calendar, deadlines, processes and procedures to successfully ensure on time production delivery Managed a team of direct reports performing product quality and color approval, costing and line list data entry and SKU set up

Coach – New York, New York | 2011 to 2011- Freelance Fabric Research and Development Manager – Textiles – Full Price Handbag Managed seasonal newness in fabric and trim development for design and fabric teams. Ensured fabric development achieved Coach sourcing and pricing strategy while offering trend, new advance techniques for the brands aesthetics. Worked through testing and technical development to commercialize fabric to bulk approval stage. Partnered with overseas fabric teams/mills to ensure all priorities, cost perimeters and quality requirements were satisfied. Coordinated with cross-functional teams to maintain milestone calendar dates, PLM information access along with managing local printing and NJ lab testing procedure.

Denim Manager North America – Men’s / Boys’ - Woven / Denim Negotiated with vendor base to achieve divisional financial strategy per quarter Developed sourcing strategy and category calendar to manage product flow from inception to production delivery Advised the design and technical departments with manufacturing expertise to problem solve and develop product in a cost effective manner Analyzed data to produce seasonal and annual hindsight and forecasting Conducted seasonal wash trips to vendors’ facilities to review product and negotiate on sight Traveled internationally and domestically to determine vendors’ strengths and capacities to meet production needs Created reports and presentations for Senior VP and Merchants

Woven / Denim Negotiated to achieve buyer's desired quality, delivery and pricing objectives for bottom line impact, at a volume of $230 million Directed a team responsible for vendor management, cost and PO confirmation Confirmed order placement through sourcing channels of Boys and Girls woven department Managed costing process to achieve mark-up goals Provided creative problems solving to ensure equitable solutions for buyers and suppliers Worked with team to analyze and proactively respond to trade negotiations, testing protocol, production integrity, cycle timeline and garment specifications Traveled domestically and internationally to evaluate denim/woven vendors Partnered with global sourcing teams on strategic planning and vendor matrix of canvas, nylon and denim fabric products Created summary reports for ongoing sourcing analysis

Developed technical spec packages via Web/PDM system Communicated fit comments to vendors/factories for approvals and corrections Approved fit, trims and construction Established garment standards, specifications and construction Conducted fit sessions, coordinated multi-sourced products and developed and graded patterns Contributed technical knowledge to the development of denim wash at vendors' facilities in conjunction with the design studio Traveled internationally to resolve development and sourcing issues Approved bulk shade band

Sourced vendors, approved samples, developed grading and garment specifications Supplied technical support in fabrics, fit and garment construction Implemented and developed company policies and procedures Managed first-through production pattern makers for junior denim products

Approved garment quality and insured timeliness of deliveries Developed prototype specification packages for offshore manufacturing Developed product for special accounts, including Victoria Secret, Express, and Lane Bryant Scheduled and coordinated with sales staff for execution of desired product within defined cost structure Supervised staff of patternmakers, sample makers, cutters, and assistants

Responsible for research and development for junior denim-based sportswear manufacturer Audited and evaluated vendor production facilities Tested and analyzed fabric quality for use in production and fabric allocation Approved garment quality and ensured timeliness of delivery Compiled orders for cutting tickets Supervised first-through production patternmakers, sample makers and cutters Supplied exclusive product development for specialty accounts

Product Development / Pattern Maker / Design - Junior Knits / Woven / Denim Developed graphics, shopped markets and conducted trim, print and pattern work research Presented graphic designs and approved final styling Developed quality specifications for production Developed first-through production patterns Inspected and audited bulk production Supervised art department and coordinated graphics for fabric printing Supervised patternmakers, sample makers and cutters Responsible for exclusive product development for specialty accounts