About me
I take a calm and considered approach, allowing me to build and maintain strong relationships with team members and suppliers. I have substantial experience collaborating with factories globally, taking products from concept, through to prototyping and finally manufacture. I also defined and managed the timescales for development as well as the workloads of the design team.
I am a pragmatic problem solver with a keen eye for detail. I enjoy working closely with suppliers during the development stages to solve technical issues and am not satisfied until the outcome meets my standards, as well as the brief.
Work history
J
J
Product Development ManagerJ-me Original Design
London, United KingdomFull Time
Multi-disciplined role, designing and developing a range of gifts and lifestyle products to keep the home organised. These range from shoe and coat racks, to remote control holders, stationery organisers and products for children. Working with business owners whilst managing designers, I was involved at every stage of bringing products to market, from identifying the design direction and brief, through to ideation, sketch modelling, prototyping, sampling and quotation, manufacture, testing, marketing and sales. I played an integral role in exploring and shaping the creative direction of the brand alongside the directors.
In addition, I conducted extensive research into current trends, existing products and the needs and requirements of our demographic to identify the scope for new product development.
The schedule for all product development was created and managed by myself. With the aid of weekly production meetings with the team I was able to maintain and, if necessary, adapt the schedule to ensure all products were delivered within the correct time frame.
I was also responsible for the development of 3D data files for manufacture as well as the approval of all packaging diecuts and print-ready artwork, which was then sent to the Far East for quotation and production. I had daily contact with factories to negotiate quotes and discuss technical issues for each individual product, with regards to tooling, split lines, injection/ejection points for moulding, alignment and print proofs for packaging and also quality control issues with sampling and production. This allowed me to maintain quality and consistency across all products in development at any one time.
As part of my role, I researched the required safety testing for each product and worked extensively with testing agencies Intertek and SGS, to gain approval certifications such as: EN71, CPSIA Phthalates and EU10/2011 – migration of heavy metals.
As well as product development, I also created all marketing material for the brand, from new product presentation sheets, brochures and e-blasts. I also produced detailed exhibition stand layouts and on-site build management, nationally and internationally for the brand and its trade clients.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Setting and management of production schedules
- Researching new factories globally with specialties in a variety of materials and processes
- Simultaneously managing multiple products at various stages of development.
- Recruitment and management of Designers and their workload
- Prototyping and sampling using a range of methods; SLA, SLS, Silicone Casting, sample tooling
- Generation of production-ready 2D and 3D data
- Working closely with factories to optimise the design of each product for manufacture
- Determining relevant safety testing required for each product and ensuring standards are met
- Producing and negotiating quotations with multiple factories to balance price versus quality
- Raising of tooling and production purchase orders once quotations are agreed
- Quality control analysis of pre-production samples and main production runs
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and production of all marketing material; brochures, presentation sheets, mail shots etc
- Editing and managing all product images taken for marketing and social media purposes
- Representing brand at national and international trade shows
- Purchase and maintenance of all IT hardware and software
- Technical setup and maintenance of Amazon USA store front
S
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Teacher of Design & TechnologySt Columbas Catholic Boys School
- St Albans, United KingdomFull Time
Responsible for teaching students aged 11-18 years, both practical and theory, including Product Design at A Level and Graphic Products at GCSE. Using my knowledge and experience gained in industry and during my studies, I was able to manage their progression and understanding which was evidenced in the regular successes of my students’ results year on year.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Managing the progress of roughly 300 students per week
- Pastoral support with welfare issues as well as academic tutor of a group each year
- Reporting on progress and improvements to senior staff and parents
- Planning and implementing creative and innovative schemes of work
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Skills
- Product Development
- Project Management
- Manufacturing
- Design Management
- Product Design
- Schedule Management
- Industrial Design
- Positive Attitude
- Proactive
- Supplier Negotiations
Education