Angel Tilley
Product Development, Design and Sourcing
Sarasota,FL
Summary
With over 20 years of experience in product development, I possess a comprehensive knowledge of various industries, including home decor, housewares, furniture, apparel, pet, packaging, and gifting. Throughout my career, I have successfully led the product development cycle by managing timelines, costing initiatives, product strategy, brand integrity, CAD designs, and samples. My leadership skills enable effective management of design and product teams while fostering collaboration with suppliers, production, sales teams, buyers, merchandisers, engineers, and marketing. I play a crucial role in guiding the company's product design strategy and direction.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Management & Development Lead (Furniture)
TUUCI
Miami, FL
10.2024 - Current
- Product Lead for Luxury Outdoor Furniture: Sofas, Chairs, Chaises, Sun Lounges, Ottomans, and Textiles
- Provide market, customer and competitive research reports on products, macro and industry trends, and market size
- Ensure a deep user/customer understanding, develop key insights, and identify a clear POV of future needs, wants, and use-cases for global customers
- Manage product life cycle through identification, introduction, growth, maturity, decline and discontinuation. Own the product development tollgate process, create required documents (including design, product, forecast, financials, requirements, opportunity, etc.), produce timelines and manage team to goals
- Develop price & product positioning strategy and analysis within owned line and market
- Develop strategy for growth via new channels, segments, and products. Support strategic sales opportunities and provide product updates to sales
Product Development & Design Director (Home Decor)
Stratton Home Decor
Fort Lauderdale, FL
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Led product development and design, managing $20M+ home decor, textiles, storage and furniture business for Stratton Home Decor, their sub-brand Urbane and all retail account requests
- Worked directly with executive team in rolling out product strategies and mitigating risks with brand integrity, inventory, quality, shipping and lead-times with suppliers
- Conducted thorough competitor analysis to ensure company's designs remained innovative and ahead of industry trends
- Implemented process improvements to increase team effectiveness and reduce sampling costs, inventory levels and improve quality standards
- Directed and mentored design team of 7 in renderings, RFQs, tech packs and competitive analysis
- Led successful product launches by coordinating with marketing, sales, buyers, suppliers, content team and support teams to ensure seamless rollout and positive customer experience
- Oversaw product design and roadmap and coordinated aspects of development and rollout
- Approved design, product strategy, renderings, tech packs, samples, color, trims, finishes, pricing, margins and product literature
- Created product and trend presentations for sales team & buyers
Design Manager (Housewares)
IDesign
Cleveland, OH
12.2017 - 12.2020
- Managed product development and design for soft lines and soft-lines storage within Bath, Kitchen, Storage & Organization categories and account requests for retail and e-commerce from concept through execution
- Ran $35M business with 18-25% YOY growth initiative
- Worked with large accounts such as Target, Walmart, Container Store and Amazon
- Developed modular closet system and bath soft lines program that created 20% incremental sales for company
- Built strong relationships with stakeholders through active listening, collaboration, and clear communication of design objectives
- Presented design concepts to stakeholders with compelling visual aids, securing buy-in and fostering collaborative relationships with product marketing, sourcing, sales, buyers and content team
- Conducted comprehensive industry research to inform strategic decision-making regarding emerging trends in technology and design
- Led brainstorming sessions with multidisciplinary teams that resulted in breakthrough ideas for new product development projects
- Managed 4 junior designers in executing renderings, RFQs, and maintaining tight deadlines
- Approved samples, colors, finishes, materials, costs, content and photography
- Worked with suppliers on product development, samples, materials, timelines and cost initiatives
Product Marketing Manager (Housewares)
IDesign
Cleveland, OH
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Managed and developed into assortments for soft-lines and all storage in Bath, Kitchen, Closet & Laundry
- This was for white label and Target retail & ecommerce requests
- Launched new products successfully by collaborating with cross-functional teams on go-to-market strategies
- Developed compelling product stories which were leveraged through presentations, packaging, planograms and e-commerce
- Utilized market macro trends, consumer insights, sales data and competitive analysis
- Managed product development lifecycle from conception to release
- Conducted first internal focus groups around kitchen and storage, growing categories by $1M+ by utilizing macro feedback combined with micro insights and strategically designing into 'smart' products
- Worked closely with design team, brand marketing, sales and sourcing in successful product launches
- Supported sales efforts with timely collateral development, ensuring team always had up-to-date information about product offerings
- Communicated value and position to sales team and developed tools to support selling process
- Managed and mentored 3 product assistants in pulling competitive analysis and item setup
- Optimized segment space automation growth by leading marketing strategy and content creation
- Provided product opportunities and direction to design teams for new innovation, account requests and white space opportunities
- Set SRPs, margins and approved BOMS
- Responsible for packaging, copy, features/benefits, focus groups, product launches, sales reviews, consumer insights, brand merchandising, building plano-grams, trade-show preparation and product presentations to buyers as needed
- Revitalized current assortments and identify go forward strategies to expand core business and capture new account landscapes via retail and ecommerce
Product Development Manager (Food & Packaging)
Fannie May Confections (1800Flowers.com)
Akron, OH
11.2014 - 02.2017
- Led and developed seasonal and everyday gifting product assortments for Harry London Retail Stores, E-Commerce and private label brands such as Hallmark, Macy's and Disney
- Managed $40M business while hitting 15-20% YOY growth and shortening lead times
- Initiated product kickoff for new products; showcasing profiles, trend & design direction, pricing strategy, ingredient selection, taste testing, packaging, regulatory compliance, marketing strategy and distribution
- Lead cross-functional teams in new product launches, driving increased revenue during key seasons
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers, securing better deals and exclusive products
- Improved gross margins by carefully selecting high-quality products at competitive prices from reputable suppliers
- Researched new suppliers, acquired samples and negotiated merchandise deals
- Directed Graphics team on art direction and packaging design
- Designed displays to deliver interactive, engaging, and memorable store experiences for shoppers
- Collaborated with marketing and buying teams for prompt promotion of products
- Participated in trade shows to identify new products and trends, staying current on market offerings
Education
Bachelor of Science - Textiles & Clothing, Product Development & Design
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OhioSome College (No Degree) - Interior Design, Space Planning, Furniture Design
The University of Akron
Akron, OhioSkills
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Product Roadmapping
- Product Development, Design & Sourcing
- Brand positioning
- Art Direction
- Market Research Analysis
Additional Experience
Product Development, Design & Sourcing Services
Product Consultant 2008 - Present
- Provide expertise in product life cycle; including product strategy, branding, product design, sourcing, costing, sampling, presentations and product marketing
Apparel Technical Designer
Chicos FAS 2013 - 2014
Apparel Technical Designer
Dots LLC 2008-2012
Product Designer
Coastal Pet Products 2005-2008
Timeline
Product Management & Development Lead (Furniture)
TUUCI
10.2024 - Current
Product Development & Design Director (Home Decor)
Stratton Home Decor
01.2021 - 03.2023
Design Manager (Housewares)
IDesign
12.2017 - 12.2020
Product Marketing Manager (Housewares)
IDesign
02.2017 - 12.2017
Product Development Manager (Food & Packaging)
Fannie May Confections (1800Flowers.com)
11.2014 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Science - Textiles & Clothing, Product Development & Design
The Ohio State University
Some College (No Degree) - Interior Design, Space Planning, Furniture Design
The University of Akron