Lily Kofman
Livingston,New Jersey
Summary
Quality-focused Director of Product Development and Sourcing offering over 9 years of experience in supply chain management, product development, and design. Proven excellence building, negotiating and managing supplier relationships in the fashion jewelry, accessories, and home industries.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
OWNER
Kofman Sourcing Solutions
Livingston, NJ
11.2023 - Current
- Specializing in comprehensive sourcing services encompassing supply chain management, design, and product innovation, KSS is committed to delivering tailored solutions to elevate business performance and efficiency.
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
Continuum Sales & Marketing
Port Washington, NY
11.2022 - 11.2023
- Directed product development and design department for high profile accounts including David Burke, Nicole Miller, Elle Gourmet, Elle Cafe, Chef Maeve, and private label, generating over $2m sales in cookware, bakeware, home decor (small furnishings), tabletop, pet, and cutlery categories
- Spearheaded the opening of major supplier channels, effectively expanding into new territories and delivering a 15% increase in profit margins across multiple brands
- Facilitated the successful launch of the tools and gadgets categories for several major retailers, significantly broadening the company's product portfolio, driving diversification and growth
- Negotiated advantageous terms with new suppliers, securing high-quality products at competitive pricing levels, strengthening the company's market position.
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, WALMART DIVISION
Amiee Lynn
New York, NY
04.2021 - 04.2022
- Successfully led the newly created product development department for the Walmart, developing and bringing to market over 1000 SKUs of products, resulting in a $2.5 million increase in business
- Managed a team of 4 to deliver the Walmart division's seasonal product development cycles for jewelry, hair accessories, home (soft and hard goods) to facilitate source selections, design specifications, cost engineering, sample reviews, and production and quality control
- Partnered with cross functional teams including R&D to engineer and develop innovative products resulting in increased sales and profits.
SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Centric Brands
New York, NY
12.2018 - 03.2020
- Managed all product development for RLM, Jessica Simpson, Miriam Haskell, Van Heusen, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Generation, and Juicy Couture
- Launched the Jessica Simpson brand and increased profit margins by 15% in 6 months.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Global Brands Group (acquired by Centric)
US, NY, New York
10.2017 - 12.2018
- Managed all phases of product development for Bebe, JCP, Miriam Haskell, Van Heusen, and JLO
- Delivered a successful launch of Bebe product lines for major US retailers, delivering $2M in profit within two years and increasing profit margins by 7% by resourcing to Vietnam
- Acted as direct liaison between design and merchandising teams, ensuring adherence to product/process/material standards and recommending alternative manufacturing techniques to improve product costs and integrity
- Mentored and managed a team of two direct reports to improve the product development process, resulting in more accurate product specifications, product launches, sourcing initiatives, and reduction in budget, by reviewing the product development process, identifying gaps, and implementing improvements in the process
- Collaborated with cross functional teams including design, production, QC, and logistics to complete product development objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner, meeting all delivery deadlines and product quality requirements.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Haskell Jewels (acquired by Global Brands Group)
New York, NY
08.2015 - 10.2017
- Managed all aspects of product development for 7 high profile accounts with $50 million in sales, including Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Vera Wang, Stein Mart, Van Heusen, Juicy Couture
- Promoted to Product Development Manager within in less than 12 months
- Led daily communication with buyers from numerous companies regarding samples and pending orders; partnered in all levels of production and worked closely with production manager
- Communicated price points, product specs, quality requirements, and order quantities to 20+ overseas vendors to develop cost-conscious jewelry products for 10+ customer accounts
- Aided in the launch of the INC branded Iris Apfel fashion line, bringing in record-breaking revenues to Macy's
- Managed and mentored 1 product development intern, which resulted in the intern managing 2 high profile accounts within 6 months of starting the internship.
DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Bijou International
US, NY, New York
01.2014 - 06.2015
- Assisted in driving samples from China and India through all stages from pre-production stage to top stage; communicated daily with buyers and vendors regarding samples and pending orders, resulting in the production of high-quality products with lower cost
- Maintained samples, handled shipping and logistics, and assisted production for multiple fashion brands
- Set up showroom for market week, working directly with sample makers to manufacture product sample duplicates for market week.
Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS - ENGLISH
Pace University
01.2010
Skills
- Bilingual and fluent in Russian
- Supplier Management, Contract Negotiation, Vendor Onboarding and Qualification, Cost Engineering and Analysis, New Product Introduction, Quality Assurance and Control, Materials Sourcing, Prototype Development, Regulatory Compliance, CAD Analysis
- Public Speaking, Delegation, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Leadership, Adaptability, Creativity, Organization
- Microsoft Office Suite, PLM, Adobe Graphic Design Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate
Timeline
OWNER
Kofman Sourcing Solutions
11.2023 - Current
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
Continuum Sales & Marketing
11.2022 - 11.2023
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, WALMART DIVISION
Amiee Lynn
04.2021 - 04.2022
SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Centric Brands
12.2018 - 03.2020
ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Global Brands Group (acquired by Centric)
10.2017 - 12.2018
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Haskell Jewels (acquired by Global Brands Group)
08.2015 - 10.2017
DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Bijou International
01.2014 - 06.2015
BACHELOR OF ARTS - ENGLISH
Pace University
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