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New Era Cap Co. Buffalo, NY
Quality Assurance Anaylst
2015-Present
Supports continuous improvement efforts through the maintenance of existing quality requirements and processes while helping to manage global quality functions. Works closely with the supply chain, along with external and internal customers to resolve issues regarding product and process, leads improvement initiatives
• Knowledge of product quality and compliance standards, along with procedure requirements at each stage of the quality process
• Work with Asia supply chain to develop continuous improvement planning and implementation of specified improvement projects
• Establish goals, monitor progress and insure the achievement of stated plans to meet primary objectives
• Provide strategic input to personnel within the business organization to insure that strong and efficient processes are in place and respected
• Establish and promote new quality and compliance requirements in support of all business units, suppliers, and customers
• Assist in generating standard product performance and compliance test requests; publish test results to affected personnel with organization including approvals and/or recommendations for actions.
• Support the global quality strategy by contributing to the company’s overall manufacturing efforts through collaboration and sharing of knowledge, proven techniques and processes between domestic facility and overseas partners
• Monitors QA field inspection and test reports and convey recurrent issues to the Quality Manager so that interim containment and corrective actions can be applied to problem areas
• Review customer complaints and communicate as needed to appropriate individuals to ensure that root cause is determined, that corrective actions are initiated and that supply chain is held responsible for the results of those issues
• Contribute to company’s overall quality efforts through collaboration and sharing of knowledge, proven technique and processes.
SUNY COLLEGE AT BUFFALO, Buffalo, New York
2014- Present
State College of New York specializing in the Fashion Design and Technology department.
Adjunct Instructor and Lecturer
Part time instructor and lecturer for the Fashion Design and Technology department. Educating students on Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite, and how they are applied to the fashion industry. Instructor for an introductory sewing class that act as building blocks to students educational career in the program.
Instructs on basic sewing skills and CAD design, working with both home and industrial forms of machinery.
NEW ERA CAP CO., Buffalo, New York 2013 - 2014
Leading brand of headwear representing all cap production for Official Licensed Athletic headwear.
Global Headwear Pattern Engineer
Managed technical aspects of the product development of headwear silhouettes including fit, pattern, construction, and technical drawing. Engineered current popular silhouettes through a series of wear and fit testings conducted in office and at outside venues. Led cross-functional teams that established standards for performance and production of headwear at overseas vendors through measurement reviews and audits. Assisted in Quality Control and conformance of production of headwear.
Received multiple team collaboration recognition and monetary awards for successfully developing and engineering this years most popular silhouette in headwear. These projects produced an increase in sales of $13,000,000 for their sale category.
Led cross-functional teams that developed tools and documents to standardize the construction details and methods for each silhouette.
Independently built and maintained pattern library, silhouette matrix and fit charts for global headwear.
Assessed current product for alignment with technical standards prescribed in ASTM and AATCC.
Successfully established pattern grading and sizing system for multiple headwear silhouettes to be used as company standards across the globe. This resulted in a 5% decrease in quality rejects as a result of more consistent inspection methods.
Implemented companywide First Vendor Start Up Program that improved speed to market philosophy in the development of new silhouettes.
Built out a component library as a standardized tool for PD and Design Resources; details include building artwork and specs, including samples and reviews of submissions, final approved copy and chart of development.
Constructed the Silhouette Matrix Global Tool used globally in a digital online toolbox.
Developed processes to drive efficiencies between Design/Product Development/Quality Control/Sourcing. These process improvements resulted in internal reductions in lead time of an average of five work days.
Proposed implementation of Pattern Making Software to company for improvement of product development history, accuracy, efficiency, and speed to market.
Drove other area of expertise projects including Kids Age/Size Range and Safety by proposing implementation of company-wide standards for Kids sizing which focused on standards for ASTM childrens testing of product.
BUREAU VERITAS, Buffalo, New York 2012 - 2013
Global leader in testing, inspection and certification, delivering high quality services to help clients.
Garment and Home Goods Test Technician
Conducted testing on consumer textiles for analysis and limited analytical instrumentation using prescribed testing methods from ASTM and AATCC. Managed a team of two and established a company-wide standard method to destroy soft goods product for extensive testing to be conducted at other international facilities. Analyzed and established correct testing standards and specifications. Carried out use and verified test equipment and instruments.
Effectively established standards for preparation of a variety of textile samples for testing using prescribed ASTM and AATCC testing methods.
Successfully conducted/implemented training to a team of three employees to carry out specific testing conducted in a wet lab setting to improve speed and accuracy of testing.
WOOLRICH, INC., Buffalo, New York 2010 - 2012
Manufacturer of outdoor wear in the US, privately contracted by the government to domestically produce military combat uniforms.
Garment Construction Specialist/Field Instructor
Factory liaison responsible for prototyping existing and new uniforms needed for all government defense staff including Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. Ensured compliance with government regulations with regards to the production of defense uniforms, and analyzed/assembled the most cost effective factory set up.
Prepared written quality control reports to ensure compliance with written production standards.
Effectively maintained oversight of 300+ workforce employees during the construction of domestic goods through its production in nation-wide correctional facilities.
Successfully conducted technical sewing and construction training to seven facilities nation-wide.
THE BURNT BUTTERFLY, Buffalo, New York
2010 - Present
Personal business and design company specializing in one of a kind and made to order Avant Garde apparel and accessories.
Owner/Designer
Designer of a one of a kind apparel and accessories line. Handle technical design drawings and concepts, patterns, construction, and marketing of products. Maintain and market online business shop when new designs are created for the public. Specialize in made to order products.
Effectively work with many variables; knits, leathers, wovens, and other resources.
Successfully sold to reputable clients in Norway and to the Philadelphia theater district.
Significantly grew online client base and sales through Avant Garde design marketing in first year.
FISHER-PRICE, East Aurora, New York
2009 - 2010
One of the largest American toy manufacturer that has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993.
Soft Goods Engineer Intern
Assisted Soft Goods Engineering team in analyzing incoming textile samples, construction, and artwork to specified company targets and communicating corrections back to companys overseas venders daily. Prototyped products for cost reduction using industrial machinery, Excel, and Gerber Technology Software. Communicated design, construction, and color trial results to overseas vendors on a daily basis.
Successfully prepared technical bid packages by creating prototypes, detailed sewing instructions.
Successfully preformed ASTM Standardized Government Testing on products not out on market yet.
Assisted in sourcing new materials and vendors for cost reduction or alteration of products.
