Lisa Spelman
Galena,US
Summary
High-energy, results-oriented leader with an entrepreneurial attitude and a strong passion for the retail industry. With 29 years of experience, I have established a solid reputation in both England and the United States. My expertise covers Brand Retail, Manufacturing, and third-party Vendor roles, providing me with a comprehensive understanding from various viewpoints. Self-motivated and performance-driven, I excel in team building through a personable and practical approach to business and problem-solving.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President- TD Apparel & Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
04.2023 - Current
- Responsible for leading 100% of LB business- Lane Bryant & Cacique Intimate Apparel, start-up initiatives with sister brands.
- Change Management & Team Culture- Successfully managed change within the organization, ensuring smooth transitions during periods of restructuring, process improvements and growth across 3 teams in Columbus & New York resulting in career path opportunities and cross functional growth for team members. Promoted and led performance enhancement culture engagement from 32% to 82% in 1 year resulting in the highest percentage of growth of engagement across total company.
- Innovation Lab- Built a vision- Cultivated company wide culture with a dedicated arm of talent focused on Launch and pipeline, Concept through Fit & Performance testing, Wear testing, Quality testing combined with Customer Insights data to test, learn and inform.
- Intimate Apparel Centre of Excellence- Developed a team responsible for building blocks and fit standards across the Knitwear Organization- testing new Intimate concepts within sister brands in addition to Cacique Intimates. (Haven Well Within, Loft, Ann Taylor).
- Apparel Structure- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization resulting in a more agile cross functional approach to Streamlined communication channels between departments, facilitating better collaboration on projects across the organization.
- PLC Calendar Management- Responsible for overseeing 6 individual PLC calendars across Lane Bryant (2), Cacique Intimates, (2), Haven Well Within & Loft.
Vice President- TD Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
07.2021 - 04.2023
- Responsible for leading 50% of total LB business- Cacique Intimates.
- Conducted Customer Insights- Presenting to Brand President analyzed customer patterns of reviews and return rates to inform leaders of what's working in design, fit & quality, where there is room for improvement, identifying pain points and white space opportunities to fuel future innovation of pipeline launches and early detection of production issues on a weekly and quarterly cadence.
- Wear Testing & Fit For Purpose- Built Client data base of over 1,000 testers in Ohio & NY dedicated to 101 different bra sizes.
- Strategic Planning- Collaborated closely with SVP of Design and SVP of Merchandising planning initiatives to ensure alignment of goals, growth plan and execution of timing contributing to significant growth in sales across total company.
- Vendor Relationships- Established and maintained strong relationships with vendors partners, collaborating with remote fit sessions, brainstorming and problem solving together, resulting in a streamlined and efficient approach.
AVP- TD Cacique Intimates & Catherines Intimates
LANE BRYANT
01.2018 - 07.2021
- Responsible for leading 2 brands of Intimates- Cacique Intimates & Catherines Intimates. Ensuring fit consistency and brand separation- protecting fit block standards of best selling frames that the customer loves.
- Launch & Innovation of Bras- Developed a Fast Track process for both brands- Resulting in 3 months reduction in PLC calendar.
- Fashion- Introduced process improvements that reduced operational costs by working remotely and directly with vendors in region, building and strengthening partnerships, maintaining high quality standards across all departments and reducing fit comment timeframe.
- Store Communication- Close Interaction with DMMs and Store Managers to ensure communication of "fit, features & benefits" were clearly articulated and understood for and by the customer.
Director- Technical Design
LA SENZA/MAST
05.2014 - 12.2017
- Responsible for leading Technical Design Department in a fast paced fashion brand owning brand standards and driving fit consistency across total business.
- Developed strategy for all core launch product development frames from concept-fit-wear testing and production.
- Voice/Authority of the 'commercial eye' for all high volume, banner styles for the La Senza Business reporting directly to Brand President.
- Collaborate with VP of Design, GMM of Merchandising and SVP of Production/Sourcing to ensure the aesthetic and fit are brand appropriate, cost effective and inclusive of the overall strategy.
- Coaching and presenting at brand Conferences, across Canada and international stores, building close relationship with District Managers, empowering store associates with fit knowledge and driving enthusiasm and excitement around new product and frames.
Owner- Concept to Production Design Services
L S DESIGN
01.2007 - 05.2014
- Present Design Concepts and Analysis of White Space Opportunity to each customer for all Core Launch seasons
- Manage process from Concept-Fit Approval-Production in USA, HK and China Factories
- Recommend, resolve and negotiate with factories and customer teams to ensure product is within time frame, standards are consistent and meet customers expectations
- Anticipate challenges and offer alternatives that are within customers costing structure and production time frame
- Spearhead Design/Technical issues overseeing and making the final decision in USA and Hong Kong/China
- Lead Technical and Sourcing Teams in China, clearly communicating the customers needs through tech packs, CADs, pattern alterations, fit comments, flat and on body specs, video conferencing
- Customers included: Berlei, Soma, Lane Bryant, JCPenney, The Avenue, BHS, Catherines, Fashion Bug, Torrid, Hot Topic, Curvy Couture, QVC, Victoria Secrets, Kohls, Addition Elle.
Snr Design Manager- Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
08.2005 - 01.2007
Snr Technical Design Manager- Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
09.2003 - 08.2005
Technical Designer- Bras, Panties, Corsets, Shape
LANE BRYANT
07.2000 - 09.2003
Head of Design & Technical Design
ANN SUMMERS
10.1997 - 07.2000
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Contour Fashion Design & Technical Design
De Montfort University
Leicester, England01.1995
Foundation Course: - Art, Design & Technical Design
Anglia University of Cambridge
Cambridge, England01.1992
Skills
- Operations Management
- Organizational Development
- Leadership and People Development
- Process Improvements
- Innovative and Visionary
- Change and Growth Management
- Excellent Communication
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Approachable leader
- Performance Benchmarking
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Vice President- TD Apparel & Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
04.2023 - Current
Vice President- TD Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
07.2021 - 04.2023
AVP- TD Cacique Intimates & Catherines Intimates
LANE BRYANT
01.2018 - 07.2021
Director- Technical Design
LA SENZA/MAST
05.2014 - 12.2017
Owner- Concept to Production Design Services
L S DESIGN
01.2007 - 05.2014
Snr Design Manager- Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
08.2005 - 01.2007
Snr Technical Design Manager- Cacique Intimates
LANE BRYANT
09.2003 - 08.2005
Technical Designer- Bras, Panties, Corsets, Shape
LANE BRYANT
07.2000 - 09.2003
Head of Design & Technical Design
ANN SUMMERS
10.1997 - 07.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Contour Fashion Design & Technical Design
De Montfort University
Foundation Course: - Art, Design & Technical Design
Anglia University of Cambridge
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