OLIVIA A COLES
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Accomplished Product Development & Production professional with 8 years of experience in retail fashion. Manages full product lifecycle for sweater and knitwear categories, optimizes supply chain timelines, directs vendor communication, and ensures strict execution standards from concept to bulk delivery.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Production Coordinator
ANTHROPOLOGIE
Philadelphia, PA
03.2024 - 09.2026
- Own the end-to-end production lifecycle for all Anthropologie Sweaters across classes from initial proto to bulk production delivery.
- Create and implement seasonal time & action calendars, negotiating key milestone lead times to ensure sharpest timing while maintaining product quality and integrity.
- Drive on-time delivery of bulk purchase orders by closely monitoring production and transit milestones. Proactively adjusting logistics strategies to address changing business demand, cost targets, and delivery requirements.
- Manage bulk order placements for both collection and long life programs. Oversee all cost sheets, PO issuing and maintenance in PLM system.
- Negotiate COO allocations based on factory capabilities, transit LT shifts and IMU targets to align with brands' regional strategy.
- Direct daily overseas vendor, mill, and agent communications. Conduct bi-weekly zoom sessions with key vendors to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Manage comprehensive sample flow (Proto, Fit, PP, TOP, PSS) in collaboration with Technical Design and Merchandising.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to review FOB pricing, resolve cost challenges, and maintain brand target margins.
- Maintain precision across WIP tracking reports and PLM systems to deliver real-time supply chain visibility to the executive team.
- Work with internal planning partners to manage factory capacity and pivot as needed during peak seasons.
- Manage yearly projections with mill capacity planning to execute strategic raw material positioning for all core yarn qualities.
- Train and mentor direct reports, oversee and delegate appropriate daily tasks while holding frequent touch bases to ensure on track performance. Conduct annual and mid-year performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, setting development goals, and supporting career growth.
- Analyze yarn liability exposure and partner with buyers to develop strategic product plans that maximize yarn utilization, minimize liability payoffs, and drive cost savings for the business.
- Peer mentorship program - Conduct monthly check-ins with Junior employees from Anthropologie's sister brands to help guide professional development.
- Product Development & Production Coordinator Sep 2020 - Mar 2024
Product Development & Production Assistant
URBAN OUTFITTERS & FREE PEOPLE
Philadelphia, PA
07.2018 - 09.2020
- Conducted seasonal yarn research and development, sourcing innovative yarns across a global supplier network to meet product performance requirements, target price points, and regional diversity.
- Created and maintained seasonal proto charts, development trackers, and cost charts to streamline product development.
- Managed tech pack distribution, BOM maintenance, and PLM system/PO updates, ensuring data integrity, product accuracy, and seamless communication across cross-functional teams.
- Reviewed seasonal sourcing allocations and implemented dual-sourcing strategies to optimize vendor capacity, mitigate supply chain risk, and achieve key brand performance metrics.
- Attended yarn expositions to identify emerging materials and innovations; presented key findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.
- Daily tracking of samples, lab dips, fit and trim submits to ensure on time approvals.
Fashion Assistant
HEART MAGAZINES
New York, New York
11.2017 - 05.2018
- Fashion assistant for Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Women's Day, Women's Health and Redbook magazines. Managed fashion closet sample inventory and tracking, assisted lead stylists on advertising and editorial cover shoots & attended fashion week runway shows providing summary recaps to the editorial team.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fashion/Apparel Design
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
Newark, DE05-2017
Skills
- PLM (TRADESTONE)
- Supply chain management
- Global sourcing
- Sweater & Knitwear Expertise
- Process optimization
- Risk management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Solutions-oriented leadership
- Microsoft Office expertise
- Interpersonal skills
Timeline
Senior Production Coordinator
ANTHROPOLOGIE
03.2024 - 09.2026
Product Development & Production Assistant
URBAN OUTFITTERS & FREE PEOPLE
07.2018 - 09.2020
Fashion Assistant
HEART MAGAZINES
11.2017 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Fashion/Apparel Design
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE