Michelle Shumate

• Oversee all product development, sourcing, and production related activities to support the adidas & Carhartt kids North America market. Approximately 45+ million units per year.
• Manage a team of 20+ team members (3D design, technical design, Product Management, Raw Materials team, global sourcing & production team.
• Align with adidas & Carhartt brands to ensure alignment for compliance, quality, and brand initiatives.
• Led PLM implementation and manage continuous improvement to enhance process efficiencies, improve speed to market, & enhance collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.
• Championed change management initiatives within the 2022 PLM implementation within the total organization to ensure smooth transitions during periods of growth or restructuring.
• Led a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new product line, contributing to significant growth in sales.

*launch of adidas Originals kids license 2024

*launch of Carhartt kids license 2010

*launch of adidas Disney kids license 2006

• Negotiate favorable contracts with vendors, securing advantageous terms for the company while maintaining strong strategic partnerships.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure compliance with evolving industry regulations, mitigating potential risks.
• Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the organization, fostering greater collaboration among teams and departments.

• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
• Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
• Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
• Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
• Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.

• Oversaw development of more than 200+ new products each year.
• Cultivated valuable relationships with external partners including manufacturers and distributors facilitating successful launches.
• Conducted comprehensive market research to identify untapped opportunities for new product development or improvement of existing products.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to create compelling product messaging, leading to increased sales and market share.

• Assisted in budget planning and resource allocation for the product development department.
• Enhanced collaboration between departments for smoother product development and launch.
• Implemented continuous improvement methodologies to drive ongoing enhancements in product design and functionality over time.
• Successfully launched multiple products, meeting or exceeding sales targets consistently.

• Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
• Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
• Maintained key item stock levels and wrote or expedited purchase orders.
• Reduced procurement costs through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, and effective negotiations.
• Developed strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable pricing terms and conditions for the company''s benefit.

• Managed and led Knit Top Sourcing Coordinator & Production Associate
• Plan and manage sourcing/production of women's knit tops to ensure compliance with merchandising requirements to meet objectives for IMU, quality, and on-time delivery for 14+ million units per year.
• Developed global sourcing plans based on projected requirements.
• Manage procurement of fiber/yarn/fabric for core fabric programs and communicate directly with fabric mills regarding maintained inventory levels of yarns/fabrics.
• Developed comprehensive reports detailing product performance metrics, providing valuable insights for executive decision-making processes.
• Enforced strict quality control procedures throughout the production process, guaranteeing consistent excellence across all products under coordination.
• Supported internal departments such as finance, legal, and design in the development of new products, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment on project goals.
• Coordinated product launches, ensuring timely delivery and optimal market positioning.
• Received Key Contributor award Spring 2002 & 2004.

-Planned and managed sourcing/production of women's knit bottoms to ensure compliance with merchandising requirements and meet objectives for IMU, quality, and on time delivery for approximately 5 million units per year. Reported directly to Director of women's knits.

-Directed production assistant

-Oversaw merchant plans were executed by coordinating a broad range of activities that included technical design and quality assurance.

- Negotiated all costs (fob/lpd) and delivery dates based on the merchant IMU plan and receipt needs to ensure inventory levels met sales plan requirements.

- Managed all communication with domestic and overseas vendors. Worked daily with vendors on all stages of production, shipment consolidations, receipt at domestic distribution centers, quality assurance checks, and merchandise allocations.

- Managed the allocation of all orders to domestic and overseas factories based on quality performance, capability, and capacity.

- Spring 2000 received Key Contributor Award

- Performed various duties to ensure the timely execution of sourcing production plans.

- Entered and maintained purchase orders for all bulk order and test styles.

- Prepared weekly reports that included information on order status for all styles.

- Participated in weekly meetings with merchants, discussing business issues as well as determining plan of action for expediting, revising, and placing all purchase orders.

- Reviewed non-conforming quality products and facilitated vendor returns or made decisions for commerical acceptance of merchandise.

- Ordered and organized samples for public relations, fashion shows, and other purposes.

- Worked with imports to determine correct customs classification of fob garments.

- Priced government contract programs by working with engineers on required parts & bill of materials

-Assisted Product Manager with the manufacturing of men's and women's knit and woven apparel products.

- Daily communication with domestic/overseas vendors; generating and maintaining purchase orders; generating and issuing letters of credit; pre-classification of fob garments; and daily tracking for all domestic and overseas shipments.

- Managed all aspects of raw material development & management

- Conducted textile tests according to ASTM and AATCC standards for General Electric; Procter and Gamble; and NAILM.