An accomplished product design, development, and sourcing executive with a proven track record in spearheading strategic initiatives and driving tangible results across multiple product categories. Passionate about supporting diverse lines of business in sports, film, fashion, licensed art; brings a wealth of experience in team building, coaching designers, engineers, production and implementing cost savings, fostering relationship development, and operational efficiency.
Hi, I’m
Connie Huffa
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Overview
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Fabdesigns, Inc.
CPO - INNOVATION STRATEGIST, MATERIALS ENGINEERING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
04.2013 - 01.2024
Job overview
- Project Lead: Spearheaded initiatives to define stakeholders’ visions and ideas in diverse sectors and translated concepts into practical designs, licensing opportunities, and manufacturing optimizations that drove revenue, and award winning sustainably best practices.
- Set strategic direction of art execution, materials, styling parameters, costing, global sourcing, across diverse manufacturing processes.
- Drove technology innovation & product development, material selection, vendors, processes, training programs, shaping product portfolios and IP for Fortune 100 and emerging startups. (Nike, Adidas, Skechers, New Balance, Warrior Sports, Tesla, GM, Apple, Intel, Boeing, and many more.)
- Pioneered performance materials, blending art with expertise in analyzing risk, identifying new and existing fibers, polymers, processes.
Created, scripted, prepped and presented 5 day training programs on various materials engineering topics.
Össur Americas
SR SOFT GOODS ENGINEER. PRODUCT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT: INTERNATIONAL LEAD
11.2011 - 04.2013
Job overview
- Led Cross-functional Teams: Spearheaded diverse team of orthopedic, medical biotech experts, industrial designers, and mechanical engineers, driving innovation in raw materials, testing, and streamlines manufacturing for sports bracing, medical applications, and anatomically sensitive items.
• Standardized R&D: Established international performance, fit, aesthetics, and intellectual property criteria through research and development standardization. Successfully negotiated manufacturing improvements, resulting in annual cost of goods (COGs) savings ranging from 5% to 15% for legacy products.
• Pioneered Product Designs: Set industry benchmarks in new product designs, technologies and pricing models for wide range of new product launches. Translated medical requirements into manufacturable product sand trained staff resulting in many patented innovations.
Pelican Products, Inc.
HYBRID SOFTGOODS / HARD GOODS PRODUCT DEVELOPER & TEXTILE ENGINEER
03.2011 - 07.2011
Job overview
- Spearheaded collaborative efforts with stakeholders, industrial designers, and vendors in performance materials selection, testing protocols, and product configuration to pioneer industry's first hybrid mold-injected plastics and soft goods program resulting in development of radical 3 SKU product line that set new benchmarks for innovation and captured market opportunities.
- Implemented initiatives to align stakeholders, orchestrate strategic road mapping design, performance, comprehensive business framework, competitive features analysis. Crafted cohesive business plans, tooling, assembly options and aligned costs to ensure strategic operational efficiency.
Kraco Enterprises, LLC
VP OF PRODUCT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETING
10.2008 - 05.2010
Job overview
- Recruited, hired and led development and launch of record number of products in single year, surpassing historical performance and enhancing Kraco's market presence in Soft Goods, Rubber, Silicone, Hard Goods, and Electronics.
- Played pivotal role in facilitating Kraco's seamless transition through acquisition by Sun Capital Partners and through additional acquisition of Shell Oil Automotive aftermarket division
- Merged 2 industry giants, Kraco and Shell Oil to create unified entity, forging new licensing agreements and driving forward-looking strategies.
Kraco Enterprises, LLC
VP OF PRODUCT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETING
01.2004 - 05.2006
Job overview
- Increased company revenue by implementing innovative marketing strategies and streamlining sales processes and product management.
- Successfully scouted and negotiated licensing agreements and product intellectual property (IP) with Goodyear, resulting in annual revenue growth of $36 million.
- Established successful partnerships with key industry players, and negotiated favorable contracts with vendors, resulting stronger professional relationships and increased market share.
- Led cross-functional team to design, develop and launch new product lines, packaging, advertising, and merchandising with cohesive strategic approach that contributed to significant sales growth and profitability.
Concetta Bruce
VP Knit Apparel Designer, Programmer & Pattern Maker
01.2004 - 01.2006
Job overview
- Established and managed fashion distribution network and implemented strategic business plans across major fashion hubs including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta.
• Sourcing & Trend Analysis: Performed extensive competitive research and trend analysis and sourced materials and vendors to execute plans. Engineered sustainable, vertically integrated manufacturing system for customized 3D integrated Knit Technology, optimizing operational processes for superior fit and comfort.
• Design & Development Leadership: Led product vision, line development, fabric development, and global strategy for high-end knitwear, achieving placement in 365 upscale boutiques nationwide.
Shell Oil Products US
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & TEXTILE ENGINEER
08.2000 - 01.2004
Job overview
- Effectively transformed stagnant industry by introducing fashion design and fabrics into automotive aftermarket and employing groundbreaking materials, new vendors, streamlining workflow, and implementing Agile methodologies, leading to increased revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Took initiative to remove materials of concern to meet and exceed RoHs standards, 25% reduction in material costs, totaling $32 million saved
- Standardized material performance in extreme environments.
- Recruited and aligned cross-functional teams across various departments, resulting in reduced time-to-market for new products by optimizing project management tools and strategies.
Education
T. Jefferson University
BSC TEXTILE DESIGN, Also Adjunct Professor in master's Program
University Overview
Skills
- Adaptability and Effective Communication
- LEAN Problem Solving with Positivity
- Consistency, Reliability, and Integrity
- Licensing, Contracts, Compliance & Risk
- ISO 13485, DMFECA, PFMECA & Compliance
- Market Analysis & Financial Modeling
- Advanced Materials Expertise & Engineering
- Textile & Product Design Strategy
- Data Analytics & Customer Segmentation
- Trend, Fabric and Line development
Patents
Patents
https://patents.justia.com/search?q=Concetta+Maria+HuffaPersonal Information
Personal Information
Product Development Executive With a History of Transforming Entire Industries | Designer, Inventor, Innovator, Mentor, Textile Engineer, Collaborative Leader, Volunteer, Mom
Sky Diving
Sky Diving
The Best way to see Santa Barbara and appreciate materials science is from 18000 feet, falling with gravity and then floating gently to the earth.
Timeline
CPO - INNOVATION STRATEGIST, MATERIALS ENGINEERING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Fabdesigns, Inc.
04.2013 - 01.2024
SR SOFT GOODS ENGINEER. PRODUCT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT: INTERNATIONAL LEAD
Össur Americas
11.2011 - 04.2013
HYBRID SOFTGOODS / HARD GOODS PRODUCT DEVELOPER & TEXTILE ENGINEER
Pelican Products, Inc.
03.2011 - 07.2011
VP OF PRODUCT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETING
Kraco Enterprises, LLC
10.2008 - 05.2010
VP OF PRODUCT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKETING
Kraco Enterprises, LLC
01.2004 - 05.2006
VP Knit Apparel Designer, Programmer & Pattern Maker
Concetta Bruce
01.2004 - 01.2006
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & TEXTILE ENGINEER
Shell Oil Products US
08.2000 - 01.2004
T. Jefferson University
BSC TEXTILE DESIGN, Also Adjunct Professor in master's Program
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