KAYCEE HOUCHIN
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Product Developer and Sourcing Specialist with 10+ years of experience in apparel sourcing, development, and production management, specializing in denim, woven tops, bottoms, outerwear, and dresses. Adept at building and maintaining supplier relationshipsglobally, negotiating competitive costs, and optimizing supply chain efficiencies. Proven ability to reduce lead times, enhance product quality, and align sourcing strategies with business and sustainability goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Consultant, Product Development – Men’s Bottoms [CONTRACT]
Dockers
12.2024 - Current
- Created comprehensive reports to track project progress and measure outcomes effectively.
- Conducted competitor analysis to identify opportunities for product differentiation and improvement.
- Engaged in material selection processes, optimizing cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards.
- Identified potential risks in project timelines or budgets early on, implementing proactive solutions to avoid delays or cost overruns.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to established budgets.
Independent Consultant, Merchandising – Men’s Tops [CONTRACT]
Levi’s
07.2024 - 11.2024
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for new product offerings.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure product availability and minimize stockouts.
- Implemented effective merchandising strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
Senior Manager, Product Development - (INC.) Denim
Macy’s
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led product development lifecycle for women’s denim, tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear from initial proto to post-production.
- Spearheaded seasonal costing exercises, negotiating FOB prices and reducing costs by 18%.
- Established key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and drive continuous improvement across operations.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline operations, enhancing workflow efficiency and team collaboration.
- Demonstrated exceptional adaptability in navigating complex situations or rapidly changing environments with ease.
- Consolidated vendors and renegotiated contracts to optimize costs.
PD Business Development & US Sales
Calik Denim
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Strengthened key client relationships, aligning material innovation with business needs.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Leveraged data and prepared proposals, presentations, and marketing materials for current and prospective clients.
- Conducted in-depth market research to support business development efforts and drive revenue growth.
Co-Founder, Head of Product Development
VENIM
07.2019 - 01.2023
- Managed full-cycle product development for non-gendered, sustainable, and customized denim jackets.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring budget alignment with organizational goals and sustainability initiatives.
- Secured lucrative partnerships by establishing strong relationships with key industry players.
- Led successful prototyping efforts, validating design concepts and identifying areas for improvement prior to full-scale production.
- Created basic blocks patterns and associated specs.
- Participated in client meetings to gather feedback on proposed designs, making adjustments as needed based on their input.
- Cultivated strong industry relationships, leading to collaborative ventures and co-marketing opportunities.
- Collaborated with stylists and photographers to create creative fashion campaigns.
Associate Technical Designer
Stitch Fix
08.2016 - 07.2019
- Led fit development for Women's Woven Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, and Denim ensuring alignment with brand fit standards.
- Improved fit consistency by 15%, leveraging client feedback and data-driven adjustments.
- Developed comprehensive technical packs that facilitated clear communication between design and manufacturing teams.
- Mentored junior designers on best practices for technical design and pattern-making techniques.
- Conducted root cause analyses on reported issues with products in the field, implementing corrective actions through iterative design updates.
- Utilized advanced CAD software and 2D / 3D pattern making to create and adjust patterns
Product Developer | Technical Designer
ThirdLove
12.2015 - 08.2016
- Managed product and fit development for lingerie, sleepwear, and casualwear.
- Led sample tracking and lab dip approvals, ensuring on-time development.
- Oversaw product lifecycle management, ensuring timely execution of development phases from ideation to launch.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making frameworks to guide strategic product initiatives and enhancements.
- Coordinated with suppliers and manufacturers to secure favorable pricing agreements for raw materials, reducing overall production costs.
Product Development Assistant
Levi’s
05.2013 - 12.2015
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline product development processes.
- Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives by identifying opportunities for material substitutions or process improvements without compromising quality.
- Managed relationships with external vendors, ensuring adherence to timelines and upholding standards of quality in final deliverables.
- Facilitated the transition of products from concept to production by coordinating with manufacturing teams and addressing potential issues during scaleup.
- Developed comprehensive reports on metrics related to project performance such as budgeting, deadlines, and resource allocation.
Supply Planning Assistant [CONTRACT]
Levi’s
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Developed detailed reports on planning activities to support decision-making processes.
- Assisted in resource allocation and budgeting for strategic initiatives.
- Analyzed data trends to inform strategic planning and forecasting efforts.
- Input data into SAP , Boardwalk, and Excel to maintain searchable planning database of population numbers and land use statistics.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
The Art Institute of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, CA01.2012
Skills
- Apparel Sourcing & Vendor Management (Americas, Asia, Europe)
- Denim & Woven Development
- Cost Negotiation & FOB Management
- Lean Manufacturing & JIT Supply Chain
- PLM Systems & Excel Proficiency
- Process Optimization & Business Strategy
- Fabric & Trims Development and Sourcing
- 2D / 3D CAD patternmaking
Timeline
Independent Consultant, Product Development – Men’s Bottoms [CONTRACT]
Dockers
12.2024 - Current
Independent Consultant, Merchandising – Men’s Tops [CONTRACT]
Levi’s
07.2024 - 11.2024
Senior Manager, Product Development - (INC.) Denim
Macy’s
01.2022 - 01.2023
PD Business Development & US Sales
Calik Denim
01.2021 - 01.2023
Co-Founder, Head of Product Development
VENIM
07.2019 - 01.2023
Associate Technical Designer
Stitch Fix
08.2016 - 07.2019
Product Developer | Technical Designer
ThirdLove
12.2015 - 08.2016
Product Development Assistant
Levi’s
05.2013 - 12.2015
Supply Planning Assistant [CONTRACT]
Levi’s
01.2012 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Fashion Design
The Art Institute of California - San Francisco
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