Karen Pote
Berlin,MD
Summary
Dynamic Sr. Director of Purchasing/Production at Fila North America, adept at driving strategic initiatives and fostering collaborative leadership. Achieved operational excellence through process improvement, enhancing brand positioning and expanding distribution channels. Cultivated a culture of innovation, while streamlining workflows for increased efficiency. Dynamic Director who oversees every facet of production with strong project management and decision-making skills. Brings comprehensive knowledge of Apparel production and planning. Skilled at coordinating production plans and personnel resources to complete work under tight deadlines.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Director Purchasing/Production, Apparel
Fila North America
04.1992 - 04.2025
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance brand positioning in North American market.
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize product development and supply chain processes.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making frameworks for marketing strategies and campaign effectiveness.
- Fostered partnerships with key retailers to expand distribution channels and increase sales volume.
- Spearheaded talent development programs, mentoring future leaders within the organization.
- Analyzed market trends to guide product innovation and competitive positioning efforts.
- Streamlined operational workflows, resulting in improved efficiency across departments.
- Established performance metrics to track progress against strategic goals and objectives.
- Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
- Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
- Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
- Managed risk effectively by identifying potential threats, developing contingency plans, and implementing mitigation strategies in line with overall business objectives.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
- Established data-driven decision-making processes and implemented best practices in analytics to optimize performance across the organization.
- Increased employee satisfaction, providing regular coaching and feedback sessions.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements and automation.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization.
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products, meeting deadlines and budgets.
- Facilitated seamless business transitions during mergers or acquisitions, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations while integrating teams effectively.
- Performed continuous evaluations of business facility, teams and policies to keep operations efficient and consistent.
- Navigated complex regulatory environments to ensure compliance with local laws, standards, and regulations relevant to the business domain.
- Reduced employee turnover rates by creating a positive work environment with clear expectations and support systems in place.
- Implemented cost-saving measures through effective resource allocation and budget management.
- Met with department supervisors and provided staff support to attain organizational goals.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Revamped operational plans to refocus staff and align processes with business objectives.
- Enhanced internal communication channels, resulting in improved information flow and decision-making processes.
- Led development of business operation processes and policies.
- Planned and integrated project and program schedules.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
Office Manager
Western Termite and Pest Control
Timonium, MD
01.1989 - 04.1992
- Coordinated scheduling for meetings and appointments to optimize team productivity.
- Developed and implemented office procedures, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Increased customer satisfaction by developing effective client feedback system that led to service improvements.
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking and data communications.
- Managed office supplies inventory, ensuring availability and cost-effectiveness.
- Managed vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for cost savings while maintaining high-quality services.
Education
Associate of Arts - General Studies
The Community College of Baltimore County
Catonsville, MD01.1988
Skills
International business
Practice operations management
Verbal and written communication
Decision-making
Process improvement
Contract and vendor management
Logistics management
Operations management
Multitasking and organization
Team collaboration
Relationship building
Conflict resolution
Risk management
Vendor relationship management
Change management
Timeline
Sr. Director Purchasing/Production, Apparel
Fila North America
04.1992 - 04.2025
Office Manager
Western Termite and Pest Control
01.1989 - 04.1992
Associate of Arts - General Studies
The Community College of Baltimore County