Tara Knupp
Cape Elizabeth,ME
Summary
Results-driven manager offers 20+ years of strategic product line experience in diverse business settings. Proven ability to develop and execute brand strategies that consistently produce sales in excess of target. Expertise in leading and mentoring staff members to attain exceptional levels of performance. Proficiency in rallying peers to contribute to the accomplishment of organization objectives. Passion for working with people, accompanied by a high energy level, and focus on success.
Professional leader with executive experience ready to drive impactful change. Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives and enhance operational performance. Valued for collaborative team leadership and adaptability to evolving business needs.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President - Product Development and Merchandi
Sea Bags
09.2016 - Current
- Spearheaded end-to-end product development strategies for a diverse range of eco-friendly bags made from recycled sails, driving a 25% increase in revenue within the first year.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including design, marketing, and supply chain, to ensure product alignment with market trends, sustainability goals, and brand identity.
- Developed and executed merchandising plans across e-commerce and retail channels, increasing online conversion rates by 30% through strategic product assortment and optimization of digital shopping experiences.
- Negotiated with suppliers and vendors to source sustainable materials, reducing costs by 15% while maintaining product quality and supporting the company’s eco-friendly mission.
- Led market analysis initiatives to identify emerging consumer preferences, expanding the product line with innovative designs that attracted new customer segments.
- Directed product lifecycle management, from concept to launch, ensuring adherence to timelines, budget, and profitability goals.
- Built and mentored a high-performing product and merchandising team, fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
- Implemented data-driven merchandising strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in in-store and online customer engagement through targeted promotions and inventory management.
- Pioneered sustainable packaging solutions in line with the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility, enhancing brand perception and customer loyalty.
- Led Product Development & Merchandising Strategy: Directed the end-to-end product design, development, and merchandising strategy for a multi-channel retail business, aligning product innovation with the brand’s coastal lifestyle vision. Drove growth across e-commerce, company-owned stores, and over 1,000 wholesale partners.
- Strategic Leadership & Collaboration: Collaborated closely with the President and leadership team to develop a cohesive product roadmap. Led a cross-functional team of designers and merchandisers, optimizing product assortments to enhance the brand’s market position and consumer appeal.
- Revenue & Profit Growth: Implemented pricing and gross margin strategies that increased profitability by XX%, while managing markdowns, inventory, and product deletions to maximize gross margins and reduce excess stock.
- Design & Product Innovation: Spearheaded the design and development of hundreds of unique styles, utilizing sustainable materials such as recycled sails. Partnered with key vendors and led design collaborations, expanding product offerings and contributing to brand recognition.
- Market Expansion: Played a pivotal role in expanding product distribution, securing partnerships with major national accounts and business-to-business corporate clients. Developed new product lines, including nautically inspired accessories, to capitalize on emerging trends.
- Inventory & Assortment Planning: Led assortment planning and inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels and product mix across direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, leading to a XX% reduction in stockouts and improved sell-through rates.
- Collaborative Leadership: Fostered a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment in a fast-paced, high-growth company, mentoring direct reports and cross-functional teams to deliver top-quality products on time and within budget.
Independent Contractor—Kid’s Senior Merchant
Garnet Hill
02.2016 - 08.2016
- Managed the product and business development of the spring and fall 2017 Garnet Hill Kid’s line which included apparel, footwear, accessories, backpacks
- Collaborated with product and technical design teams to identify specific opportunities to support the Kids’ +10% growth strategy
- Identified new opportunities, product enhancements and branded line additions which contributed to the brand elevation and margin improvement of the division
Independent Contractor— Product/Category Manager
ACORN
09.2015 - 01.2016
- Developed and managed seasonal Profit and Loss statement to meet category sales and financial objectives
- Worked with product design team to identify account/channel specific product initiatives to support the category business plan
- Developed new multi-seasonal calendar and process roll-out for the cross-functional design, development, category and sales teams to follow
Corporate Merchant Manager—Kid’s Outerwear, Apparel, Footwear
L.L. BEAN
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Established and executed strategies to accomplish division goals for product line assortment, profitability, sales, markdowns and return rate while managing and mentoring associate corporate merchant
- Led turn around efforts to stabilize Kid’s $65M business and implemented fiscal and product strategy for future growth
- Analyzed business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, identifying key strategies and areas of focus, wrote and presented Kid’s business assessment and roadmap
- Implemented multiple focus group efforts in Freeport, Boston and Chicago to test various strategies and products
- Executed key strategies to drive 10% top line growth, while reducing SKU count by 40%
- Introduced new and innovative products across four product categories
- Developed and introduced several new million-dollar+ annual programs, driving incremental revenue growth
- Achieved media recognition, most notably in Outside Magazine’s Outerwear Hall of Fame, for the development of the Kids’ Puff-n-Stuff Jacket
- Increased product newness from 12% in 2012 to 30% in 2014, and established clear direction for the team to ensure product design was fresh, commercial and brand relevant
- Increased division’s operating contribution by 45% in 2012 and an additional 5% in 2013
- Rebuilt strong cross-functional relationships with Sourcing, Technical Design, Design, Retail, Planning, Inventory and Brand Communications
- Led division through corporate business transformation effort
- Mentored two Associate Corporate Merchants who have been promoted under my leadership
Corporate Merchant Manager—Women’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Established and executed strategies to accomplish division goals for product line assortment, profitability, sales, markdowns and return rate while managing and mentoring associate corporate merchant
- Increased revenue in Woven Tops by 11% to an all-time high for category
- Added $3 million to Woven Tops operating contribution
- Increased revenue in Women’s Sweaters by 10%
Product Line Manager—Kid’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Developed product line to accomplish division goals for assortment, profitability, sales, markdowns and return rates
- Completely overhauled Kids line, with greater emphasis on design, style, function and heritage
- Increased division revenue by 38% to over $100 million during tenure
- Launched infant/toddler line, driving $8 million incremental revenue
Product Developer—Women’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2002 - 01.2003
Director of Product Development—Relaxed Separates, Casual Separates, Outerwear
ANN Inc
01.1994 - 01.2002
- Led business and product development efforts for three divisions generating $158M in revenue
- Managed and mentored team of three divisional product managers
- Established and executed clear team goals for gross margin, sales, shipping and assortment planning
- Developed sampling and sourcing plan in accordance with design direction and merchandising needs
- Globally sourced fabrics based on seasonal fashion forecast and design direction; developed seasonal fabric price matrix to achieve individual margin unit goals
- Projected seasonal fabric production requirements for overseas offices
- Implemented 'chase' and 'quick response' strategies to counter missed trend challenges and to optimize growth
- Selected to work directly with President of AnnTaylor as member of the Client Panel Strategy Team, a group that utilizes client feedback to determine buying trends, preferences, and issues related to product performance
Senior Product Development Manager—Relaxed Separates, Refined Separates
ANN Inc
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Managed development process from sketch to sample and delivered full line of development samples four times a year for two divisions totaling $100M/year
- Sourced new fabric mills and vendors based on evolving business needs
- Worked with merchandising, design, production and planning on a cross-functional team to discuss issues relevant to development cycle
- Responsible for achieving Individual Margin Unit goals through counter sourcing fabrics and utilizing alternative sourcing channels
- Managed two Product Managers
Product Development and Production Manager—Relaxed Separates
ANN Inc
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Managed product development and production process; responsible for initial costing and negotiations with fabric mills and overseas production offices
- Developed time-and-action calendars and reviewed with cross-functional teams to ensure divisional deadlines were met
- Managed to very strict production deadlines
- Increased business in denim by 9%, producing $1 million in additional sales
Assistant Product Development and Production Manager—Cut and Sew Knits
ANN Inc
01.1994 - 01.1995
Production Manager—Dress Division
ADRIENNE VITTADINI
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Involved in multiple aspects of domestic and overseas garment production for dress division
- Sourced vertical factories in the US and communicated with established Vittadini factories overseas
- Worked directly with designers to source fabrics and trims
- Coordinated the merchandising and purchasing of the line with sales staff prior to market week
Education
Bachelor of Arts - French
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PASkills
- Merchandising
- Product Development
- Relationship Building
- Product & Brand Integrity
- Mentoring
- Process Improvement
- Consumer Segmentation
- Profitability
- Competitive Analysis
- Assortment Optimization
- Merchant Best Practices
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership
- Corporate strategy
Phone
cell, 2076538493
Timeline
Vice President - Product Development and Merchandi
Sea Bags
09.2016 - Current
Independent Contractor—Kid’s Senior Merchant
Garnet Hill
02.2016 - 08.2016
Independent Contractor— Product/Category Manager
ACORN
09.2015 - 01.2016
Corporate Merchant Manager—Kid’s Outerwear, Apparel, Footwear
L.L. BEAN
01.2012 - 01.2015
Corporate Merchant Manager—Women’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2007 - 01.2012
Product Line Manager—Kid’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2003 - 01.2007
Product Developer—Women’s Apparel
L.L. BEAN
01.2002 - 01.2003
Senior Product Development Manager—Relaxed Separates, Refined Separates
ANN Inc
01.1998 - 01.2001
Product Development and Production Manager—Relaxed Separates
ANN Inc
01.1995 - 01.1998
Director of Product Development—Relaxed Separates, Casual Separates, Outerwear
ANN Inc
01.1994 - 01.2002
Assistant Product Development and Production Manager—Cut and Sew Knits
ANN Inc
01.1994 - 01.1995
Production Manager—Dress Division
ADRIENNE VITTADINI
01.1993 - 01.1994
Bachelor of Arts - French
Dickinson College
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