HELEN CARTERSweelincklaan 19, 3741HD Baarn, The Netherlands. Telephone + 31 ( 0 ) 646843637 hscbigh@hotmail.com

A very experienced Senior Product Technologist with a diverse product background gained across Brand, Retail and Supply base sectors. I also have a very keen interest in Quality Management, Ethical Compliance and Sustainability aspects of the clothing industry.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

NIKE EUROPEAN OPERATIONS – May 2008 – Present.

Senior Product Developer – Global Football Branded Training. Responsible for the development and commercialisation of assigned Branded Training styles, obsessing the details

to ensure product is developed to the highest standards Developing late adds and quick turnaround projects. These including the late addition of England Federation having

to create 44 styles in a short turnaround and the development of 53 unique styles for Brazil Federation for World Cup 2014.

Working cross functionally with Design, Merchandising and Quality teams to ensure the highest product standards are achieved and risks eliminated to ensure customer satisfaction and reduce cost of quality, quickly seeking solutions to problems.

Part of the Global fit team that was formed to implement and evolve the new Global block system. Working with the team to review, align and adjust blocks where necessary to ensure the fit is the best in field for the Professional players and supporters alike.

Leading a team of Product Developers and Product Technicians to help them commercialise their styles and achieve ‘Buy Ready’. Regular 1 on 1’s with team for coaching, mentoring and to discuss workloads and projects. Highlighting calendar timelines to ensure targets and deadlines are met.

Being a ‘go to’ person for the team on manufacturing, pattern and construction advice. Seasonal reviews of new styles and assessment of opportunities to upgrade product to be ‘Considered’ including

discussing cost implications with Design and Merchandising, and seeking new fabrics from the fabric team. Collaborating with the Sourcing and Costing teams on pre-costing assigned styles from initial design and

highlighting the impact of product changes on product FOB through the commercialization process. Regular travel to Nike offices and factories in Far East for onsite development of pre season concept samples to

trial new technologies and styling and in-season to develop key styles with Design and Product Managers.

TESCO STORES LTD – March 2007 – April 2008

Technical Manager Ladieswear Responsible for the development of Plus, Petite, Swimwear, Hot and Cold Weather Accessories working closely

with Buying and Merchandising teams to ensure delivery of a range of high quality, well fitting products encompassing tailoring, outerwear, casual and occasion wear.

Managing the technical process from writing initial specifications for design samples for both global sourcing offices and direct suppliers through the fit process to final production. Ensuring fabric and trims meet Tesco standards.

Managing Technical critical path to ensure delivery timelines are maintained. Managing the Ethical Audits for direct suppliers ensuring that ETI and Tesco requirements are met, working closely

with non-conforming suppliers to help them to improve and meet the requirements through developing CAP’s (corrective action plans). Completed Stage 1 Auditors course with Bureau Veritas.

Developed fit mannequins with Alvaform for fitting Plus and Petite sizing, casted and employed fit models for Plus and Petite.

Continuously reviewing the fit of the Plus range, developing blocks and grading to be consistent with the rest of the Plus ranges on the High Street.

Regularly travelling to liaison offices and factories with Design and Buying team for onsite development of new season ranges and quick turn projects.

DELTA GALIL LTD – August 2006 – March 2007

Product Manager Leisurewear Responsible for the development of men’s and ladies leisurewear for Marks and Spencer Plc working with

designers to develop new styles that meet the customers brief. Managed the Pattern Cutter to ensure samples were made to the correct block and specifications and that the

construction met with the customers exacting high standards. Attended fit sessions, work meetings and design briefings with customers. Initiated new fabric developments with Egyptian fabric division and requested new lab dips ensuring all met

customers’ requirements and were approved prior to production. Liaised closely with the factory to ensure development process of critical path was managed to ensure on time

deliveries, carrying out risk analysis and preproduction meetings to help the manufacturing team to deliver product on time.

FREEDOM RECRUITMENT – July 2005 – August 2006

Freelance positions within Quality Assurance, Garment Technology and Ethical Compliance.

CAREER BREAK – January 2005 – July 2005

MARKS & SPENCER PLC – February 2001 – January 2005

Product Development Technologist – Viewfrom Sportswear February 2003 – January 2005 Worked with product team and supply base to develop a varied high quality range of sportswear for men and

women encompassing both technical and non technical products that can meet the requirements of both the would-be, keen and, on occasion, professional athletes.

Developed a range of organic cotton yoga wear in conjunction with Gossypium creating an offer of lifestyle products.

Ensured that the garments were fit for purpose through both fabric and garment development and innovation whilst still maintaining quality, cost and safety requirements.

Regularly visited supply base to review standards of production and discuss issues relating to the monitoring of customer returns and complaints.

Ensured that existing factories maintained Ethical standards and working practices that met the requirements of the ETI. Evaluated new suppliers and their factories. Working with non-conforming to create CAP’s

Worked with suppliers to seek out new fabric and garment innovations to improve product offer. Carried out comparative reviews of fit, quality and make-up of competitor’s product to ensure leading standards

were set. Worked with the endorsing athletes including Jason Robertson, Matthew Pinsent, Ellen McArthur and Darren

Gough ensuring all their product feedback was considered for future product development and that ranges were fit for purpose.

Managed own Travel budget to value of £25,000 per annum.

Garment Development Technologist – Men’s Autograph February 2001 - February 2003 Worked with product team to develop a high quality range of suits, shirts, ties, knitwear, outerwear, leatherwear,

shoes and accessories. Liaised with Product Developer, In-house Design team and outside designers, such as Timothy Everest, Burro,

Jeremy Brandrick and Oliver Sweeney, to create a range of garments and footwear which fulfilled the customer and design strategy for the category.

Set Garment specifications with the suppliers. Worked through development process from initial fit to final garment approval to ensure that suppliers delivered leading standards in quality, fit, make-up, safety and value.

Evaluated customer returns to discuss with suppliers and make further product improvements.

Reviewed supply base to ensure that Ethical standards are met within the factories and that production is to the agreed standard with regular factory visits.

NIKE EUROPEAN OPERATIONS – May 1996 – February 2001

Senior Product Developer – Menswear January 1998 – February 2001 Developed and commercialised specific ranges from fabric and trim development through fit stages to final

production. Worked closely with cross functional team to develop new product ranges and fabrics. Effectively used my precosting skills to cost styles at initial design stage to ensure they fit within the wholesale

prices required and trained developers both senior and junior to be able to do the same providing them with the key tools required such as cmt guidelines, average trim and graphic prices and how to better evaluate usages.

Responsible for the fit of the European men’s ranges and block development. Managed a team of junior product developers.

Sourcing and Costing Analyst – Menswear May 1996 – January 1998 Worked with Sourcing Manager to source and price ranges globally. Played a key role in a developing a pre-costing procedure within a developing sourcing department and training

colleagues how to use the procedures and recognise pricing problems before they become issues affecting the style design/development process.

Took part in Global initiative to develop a global costing process/system.

VELMORE FASHIONS LTD – March 1993 – May 1996

Costing Engineer July 1994 – May 1996Garment Technologist March 1993 – July 1994

SAYTOM UK LTD Sales and Design Co-ordinator May 1992 – January 1993.

SLIMMA CASUALWEAR LTD Industrial placement Technical Assistant August 1989 – August 1990.

SPRAYWAY LTD Quality Management Industrial placement October 1988 – December 1988.

CHILDREN OF THE FOREST CLOTHING General Assistant Summer Vacations 1986 – 1988

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS1989 – 1991 Clothing & Footwear Institute Diploma in Clothing Design and Production Management.1987 – 1989 BTEC Higher National Diploma Clothing Studies.1985 – 1987 BTEC National Diploma Fashion Studies.1980 – 1985 8 GCEs at ‘O’ Level

Computer Skills – Excel, Word, Microsoft office and XP, Internet, Email and various in-house business specific systems.

Personal Details – Date of Birth 18th October 1968. Single no dependants. Full and clean driving licence.

Personal Interests – Theatre, crafts, Volleyball, active member of UK Tall Persons Club and British Society of Amsterdam.