Kara Shanks
Coppell,TX
Summary
I am an experienced Product Developer with a demonstrated history of working in the Apparel Industry. For the past 9 years I have improved the product development processes for the below companies. I specialize in managing the product life cycle from sourcing to production delivery. I am a bit of a fabric geek and have experience working with natural and synthetic fabrics. I treat my coworkers and external partners with respect. I develop great relationships with those that I partner with and love working with passionate individuals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Product Development Consultant
Contract
06.2024 - Current
- Develop garments that meet the brand's design vision and target margins.
- Facilitate communication between customers and factories for product development.
- Generate detailed tech packs and BOMs tailored to customer specifications.
- Identify the best production facility for creating products.
Product Manager
House of Outdoors
Frisco, TX
06.2021 - 09.2023
- Created detailed testing guidelines for mill and factory partners.
- Strengthened supply chain resilience against global disruptions.
- Developed and supervised T&A calendar for timely sample and production deliveries.
- Evaluated product costs to ensure team achieved target margins.
- Boosted profitability of core assortments by 8%.
Product Development Manager
Mizzen and Main
Dallas, TX
03.2019 - 02.2021
- Achieved cost savings of over $150K in Q1 2020, while improving the product quality and packaging.
- Managed the product development team and the overall pricing strategy.
- Transformed garment packaging, improving the overall customer experience for DTC products.
- Visited partners in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China to ensure that seasonal samples were produced with 100% accuracy.
- Transferred all polyester-based products over to recycled PET blends.
Product Development Assistant
Mizzen and Main
Dallas, Texas
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Developed fabrics and garments in partnership with the design team.
- Created a T&A calendar for the Design and Development team.
- Designed the brand's first tech pack and BOM templates.
- Monitored fabric testing for new products.
Product Development Coordinator
The Apparel Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed development workflow from concept until production for 8 different brands.
- Provided weekly updates on the product lifecycle to relevant departments.
- Managed daily communication with customers, mills, suppliers, and factories.
- Established a comprehensive library of TAL tested fabrics.
Design and Production Assistant
Katie Ermilio
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Key player in the development of the Spring 2016 and Fall 2016 collections by drafting 75% of patterns and conducting 100% of fittings for New York Fashion Week.
- Led production meetings with local factories and suppliers to ensure Spring 2016 shipping deadlines were met; improved company ship dates by 45-60 days.
- Determined finishing and construction details for all styles.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Design and Production, Art History
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK05-2015
Skills
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- PLM Softwares
- Shopify
- Microsoft Excel
- Netsuite ERP
- Garment Fittings
- Pattern Making
Hobbies and Interests
- Gardening
- Sewing
- Cooking
- Baking
- Camping
- Hiking
References
- Trey Epich, CEO, House of Outdoors, 512.587.3350, treyepich@gmail.com
- Amy Watson, Apparel Development and Production Specialist, Amy Watson Consulting, 940.390.7615, alwatsontx@gmail.com
- Brenna Curry, Development Coordinator, Friends of the Dallas Library, 937.613.4009, brennascurry@gmail.com
- Rachel Solomon, President, Solomon Strategy Partners, 512.809.0299, rsolomon11@gmail.com
Timeline
Freelance Product Development Consultant
Contract
06.2024 - Current
Product Manager
House of Outdoors
06.2021 - 09.2023
Product Development Manager
Mizzen and Main
03.2019 - 02.2021
Product Development Assistant
Mizzen and Main
03.2018 - 03.2019
Product Development Coordinator
The Apparel Group
01.2017 - 01.2018
Design and Production Assistant
Katie Ermilio
01.2015 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Design and Production, Art History
Oklahoma State University
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