Rodney M. Robertson
New York
Summary
Experienced professional with a strong background in product development, strategic sourcing, and supply chain management. Proven expertise in guiding products from conception to final production, excelling in vendor negotiations, and implementing cost reduction strategies. Known for fostering team collaboration and consistently achieving measurable results. Adaptable, reliable, and dedicated to delivering high-quality outcomes in dynamic environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sourcing Manager
Town & Country Living
01.2024 - Current
- Daily communication with overseas offices and agents for table textile products
- Oversee product program details with design, packaging and offices
- Attend meetings for all assigned product categories
- Monitor status of design spec sheets for costing and follow through on submission of cost sheets
- Work with internal teams; design, packaging and Quality Control ensure all details are communicated with overseas teams
- Review cost sheets for accuracy and initial challenges
- Work with AVP on negotiation of programs
- Work with sales on target costs and quantities, review with AVP
- Organize department costs in NGC system
Product Development Manager
Azzure Home
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Drove the development and design of our products
- Developed product based on the company's strategic vision and was the client-facing owner of the product
- Collaborated with the Azzure Design Team, ensuring seamless product strategy and execution
- Instituted state-of-the-art product management processes, which ensured rapid and successful product launches
- Partnered with Production Dept., to develop and execute costing sheets by customer, line, and classification to achieve IMU goals based on financial goals
- Seamlessly collaborated across the organization to develop and execute an integrated approach to product management, leveraging the array of assets and capabilities in other parts of the organization
- Attended shows with Design teams to scout & identify emerging trends & apply to sourcing/ Merchandise products accordingly
Merchandising & Product Development Manager, Non-Branded Accounts (Adult & Juvi Bedding, Throws & Pillows)
VCNY Home
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Advised and administered merchandising strategy to support businesses such as Wal-Mart Canada, Wal-Mart Puerto Rico, Wal-Mart Chile, Wal-Mart Mexico, Burlington, Liverpool, Dollar General NCI, Dollar Tree, p0pshelf, At-Home & Macys.com
- Spearheaded the P.D
- Process to ensure that the merchandise consistently appealed to customers
- Coordinated competitive market analysis through competitive shopping and market trend research
- Oversaw and approved sketches, color prints, and concepts with the Design Team
- Collaborated with Design, and Sales & Sourcing to meet costing targets on all products developed seasonally
- Counseled customers and vendors and presented product recommendations, trends, and advised on opportunities for white spaces and competitive edge
Sr. Product Development Manager, Sewing Division (Paper Crafting, Ribbon & Fleece/Flannel & Warm Shops)
JoAnn Stores, Inc.
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Drove and surpassed profitable growth of JoAnn's private brand business, through innovative, trend relevance, and competitive differentiated products
- Built, lead, mentored, and motivated a team of six in the development/packaging of products for each of JoAnn's private brands
- Outlined and showcased market trends through competitive shopping online, in-stores; utilized trend services to ensure that product assortment was leading in the marketplace
- Aligned with sourcing agents and key suppliers to identify and develop items/assortments to achieve cost targets
- Oversaw product development timelines to ensure all key milestone dates were achieved
- Traveled domestically/internationally to maximize trend and overall product development responsibilities
- Analyzed product performance metrics and applied results to future decision-making and assortment strategies
Sr. Product Development Manager, Arts & Crafts, Hunting & Camping, Fabric, Bedding, Apparel & Active Wear
Wal-Mart, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Oversaw and advised on the product development & brand needs of multiple buyers
- Identified private label branding opportunities for buying partners
- Facilitated the product-rebranding process by analyzing market trends and aligning with internal Packaging Team and supplier packaging partners to ensure brand consistency
- Visualized and created category corporate Color Card/Color Direction based on trend data, market research, and partnerships with Internal Trend and Color Team
- Traveled overseas to facilitate the development process and ensured proper product execution
- Aligned with the Sales Team, Planning Team, Buying Team, & Technical Design Team on corporate strategy for the season
- Partnered with domestic and direct suppliers on desired aesthetic for specific seasons, including fabric, fabric weight, and technical details
- Created Bill of Materials and Color Cad's, with the assistance of Product Development Coordinator
- Lead Sketch Review meeting, Assortment Definition and Assortment Finalization Meetings with cross-functional team and Buyer, aligned on design direction for season, presented market research
Technical Designer
Wal-Mart, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Measured and checked construction of all samples prior to fitting
- Fitted samples on mannequins and live models with Production Team and Technical Design Team
- Communicated daily with overseas factories to ensure all spec measurements were followed
- Managed Technical Design for Men's Top's/Bottoms, Boy's Apparel and Women's
- Briefed weekly sales meetings with Directors, Sr
- Managers, Product Managers, and Technical Team
- Communicated fit comments and generated garment specifications and pattern corrections to factories for final product approval
- Evaluated samples for fit, quality of workmanship, and construction
- Conducted monthly store audits to evaluate fit, workmanship, and construction standards
Technical Designer Men's Apparel
Fossil, Inc.
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Created Tech Packs from development through final production
- Measured and verified construction of all samples before fit sessions
- Ensured fit of samples on live models with Men's Head Designer, Design Team, and Production team
- Documented fit comments and corrected patterns
- Outlined final grade rules and graded specs for all approved samples
- Managed fit samples and maintained an organized sample closet
Senior Technical Designer; Boy's/Girls, Beluga, Reebok, & K1X
Adjmi Apparel Group/Reebok Division
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Created Tech Packs from costing, production, through final production
- Reviewed samples on mannequins with Director of Merchandising and Production Team
- Evaluated samples for fit, quality of workmanship, artwork, and construction details
- Published fit comments, created garment specifications, and corrected patterns for production approval
- Reviewed final grade rules and graded specs for all approved samples
- Traveled domestically/overseas to expedite the fitting process and garment approval
Education
MBA - Leadership and Ethics
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR01.2014
BA - Merchandising/Marketing
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA01.1997
Skills
- Supplier relationship management
- Design thinking
- Product performance metrics
- Market research
- Product lifecycle management
- Project management
- Excel
- Retail Link
- NGC
- Web PDM
- Grove Site
- Adobe Illustrator
Awards Accomplishments
- 2012, Dale Carnegie Training Recipient of Highest Award of Achievement, Bentonville, AR
- 2012, Franklin Covey Leadership Training, The7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Bentonville, AR
- 2012, Birkman Introduction to the Lifestyle Grid Leadership Training, Bentonville, AR
- 2000, Presenter at Fashion Institute of Technology, Customer Service & Customer Retention, New York, NY
- 1997, Valedictorian, Belk Department Stores. Executive Training Program, Jacksonville, NC
Timeline
Sourcing Manager
Town & Country Living
01.2024 - Current
Product Development Manager
Azzure Home
01.2023 - 01.2024
Merchandising & Product Development Manager, Non-Branded Accounts (Adult & Juvi Bedding, Throws & Pillows)
VCNY Home
01.2022 - 01.2023
Sr. Product Development Manager, Sewing Division (Paper Crafting, Ribbon & Fleece/Flannel & Warm Shops)
JoAnn Stores, Inc.
01.2017 - 01.2022
Sr. Product Development Manager, Arts & Crafts, Hunting & Camping, Fabric, Bedding, Apparel & Active Wear
Wal-Mart, Inc.
01.2013 - 01.2017
Technical Designer
Wal-Mart, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2013
Technical Designer Men's Apparel
Fossil, Inc.
01.2009 - 01.2012
Senior Technical Designer; Boy's/Girls, Beluga, Reebok, & K1X
Adjmi Apparel Group/Reebok Division
01.2007 - 01.2009
BA - Merchandising/Marketing
Virginia Commonwealth University
MBA - Leadership and Ethics
John Brown University
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