Jiayi Zhang
West New York
Summary
Senior Product Developer with deep technical expertise, high-volume tech pack execution, and global vendor management experience across 25+ factories. I bridge creative vision and production realities through clear specifications, rapid problem-solving, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset that drives ownership, efficiency, and margin-focused decisions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Development Manager
BCI Group
New York
09.2024 - Current
- Lead full-cycle product development across multi-brand woven and knit categories, ensuring alignment between creative intent, brand aesthetic, and commercial goals.
- Produce and manage 400+ tech packs per quarter, delivering precise construction details, specs, and BOM accuracy across all contemporary brands.
- Act as the technical liaison for 25+ global factories, communicating design intent, construction requirements, pattern corrections, and material updates to ensure on-time proto and SMS delivery.
- Manage fabric/trim sourcing, material risk assessment, margin engineering, and sample development workflows—including sample orders, lab dips, and counter-sourcing—to ensure material readiness and reduce development risks.
- Built PLM automation workflows (Centric and Excel macros), eliminating 600+ manual updates per quarter, and improving speed-to-market by 50%.
- Brands include Ted Baker, 1State, Parker, CeCe, Elyse Walker, and Cynthia Steffe.
Founder & Head of Merchant
Gewel Fashion Jewelry
Shanghai
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Founded and scaled a multimillion-dollar design-led jewelry brand recognized for craftsmanship, creative storytelling, and retail impact.
- Directed product development, vendor management, and merchandising strategy from concept through delivery.
- Partnered with influencers and retailers to strengthen brand visibility and elevate sell-through performance.
Project Manager / Consultant
Peclers Paris
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Advised global fashion clients on brand positioning, seasonal direction, and merchandising strategy.
- Delivered forecasting presentations to audiences of 10,000+, aligning creative and commercial teams across regions.
Apparel Designer / Project Lead
Grand Studio
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Designed seasonal collections for On Running, H&M Outdoor, Timberland, and X-Step, ensuring technical precision and trend relevance.
- Managed design-to-development handover, translating creative briefs into production-ready specifications.
Education
MPS - Global Fashion Management
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
NYC05-2025
BA - Fashion Design
Donghua University
Shanghai01.2012
AAS - Jewelry Design
Fashion Institute of Technology
NYC01.2011
Skills
- End-to-End Product Development & Execution
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Project management
- PLM & ERP Systems
- Fabric & Trim Sourcing
- Vendor Negotiation
- Margin Optimization
- Adobe Illustrator
- Microsoft Office
Timeline
Product Development Manager
BCI Group
09.2024 - Current
Founder & Head of Merchant
Gewel Fashion Jewelry
01.2016 - 01.2022
Project Manager / Consultant
Peclers Paris
01.2014 - 01.2016
Apparel Designer / Project Lead
Grand Studio
01.2012 - 01.2014
MPS - Global Fashion Management
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
BA - Fashion Design
Donghua University
AAS - Jewelry Design
Fashion Institute of Technology