Candice Watts-Garmel
Los Angeles
Summary
PRESIDENT AND GLOBAL FOOTWEAR EXECUTIVE WITH 15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LEADING END-TO-END PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, SOURCING, AND COMMERCIALIZATION. PROVEN ABILITY TO DRIVE PROFITABLE GROWTH BY COMBINING CREATIVE PRODUCT VISION WITH STRATEGIC SOURCING, STRONG CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS, AND CROSS-FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
President
USA Footwear
El Segundo
04.2023 - Current
- Directed North America operations for global footwear sourcing agency, delivering comprehensive services across nine countries.
- Cultivated long-term customer relationships by deeply analyzing business needs and implementing data-driven strategies.
- Established and executed growth strategies, optimizing service offerings, organizational structure, and talent for scalability.
- Managed LA-based design and sales teams, fostering collaboration to produce market-relevant products.
- Utilized product development expertise to translate trends and insights into innovative footwear concepts.
- Oversaw annual production of 20 million pairs, aligning creative vision with technical execution and cost targets.
- Guided sourcing diversification efforts outside of China to enhance flexibility and supply-chain resilience.
- Traveled extensively throughout Asia and South America for factory visits and market analysis to inform sourcing decisions.
Senior Vice President of Sales, Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
El Segundo
06.2022 - 04.2023
- Oversaw key U.S.A. customers, including Skechers and DSW.
- Managed design and sales teams across U.S.A. to ensure cohesive strategies.
- Developed strategic sales plans to strengthen market presence effectively.
- Led cross-functional teams to foster product innovation and enhance customer engagement.
- Established and nurtured relationships with customers, vendors, and partners.
- Collaborated with international suppliers to optimize vendor matrix for product alignment.
- Analyzed market trends to uncover new business opportunities and address customer needs.
Director of Sales, Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
El Segundo
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Conducted market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and potential risks while adjusting strategies accordingly.
- Oversaw all Women's divisions, managing six direct reports to enhance team performance.
- Sought and developed new business opportunities, expanding Women's brand into DSW with three key product categories.
- Created organizational chart to provide clear roadmap for expansion and employee development.
Product Development & Account Executive, Women's Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
El Segundo
11.2018 - 06.2021
- Managed design and development teams to create exceptional product assortments that surpassed pricing and quality targets.
- Cultivated relationships with key customer accounts, driving rapid sales growth.
- Identified market trends to effectively cater to Women's customers.
- Oversaw Skechers Women's USA and International Divisions, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Traveled to core factories to establish product lines and understand factory capabilities.
- Served as Women's specialist for all Women's footwear and accessory accounts.
- Researched materials and technologies to improve footwear performance and sustainability.
- Mentored junior designers on footwear design best practices and industry standards.
Director of Product Development & Production
Rhode Resort NYC LLC
05.2018 - 11.2018
- Oversee all stages of design and product development through to production.
- Drive business strategy for existing apparel business and new accessories business expansion.
- Identify key trends within apparel and accessories and translate these into the assortment to cater to the Rhode Resort customer.
- Establish extensive wholesale and development calendar to capture new opportunities for sales and brand growth.
Product Development & Production Manager
Anthropologie, Inc.
10.2015 - 05.2018
- Oversee product development and production for all Anthropologie footwear and accessory categories.
- Successfully launched Anthropologie Brand footwear collection from January 2017 to present.
- Exceed IMU and gross margin goals by 300+ BIPs through strategic raw-material development and vigorous cost-negotiation, while enhancing value for the customer.
- Plan and execute development of multi-brand footwear assortment of 400+ SKUs per season.
- Travel worldwide to develop high quality products and materials in Asia, Europe, and South America.
- Establish and pro-actively maintain all categories' product development, production, and commercialization calendars, ensuring all deadlines are met across internal and external teams.
- Initiate and maintain strong relationships with key partners to fuel a dynamic vendor matrix.
- Created sizing standards for Women's US/ EU footwear, through refined fit/ wear-test processes, minimizing returns and adding value to the customer.
- Report to General Merchandise Manager, Accessories and Chief Sourcing Officer as direct report.
- Manage two full-time Production Coordinators, one Associate Footwear Designer as direct report.
Senior Product Development & Production Coordinator, Footwear
Anthropologie Inc.
12.2013 - 10.2015
- Increased private label footwear penetration by over 30% in one fiscal year.
- Resourcefully problem-solve and communicate between buying, design, and Far East teams to drive new business and facilitate successful development processes.
- Create footwear mold, last, and material libraries for efficient internal and external communication.
- Execute comprehensive product tech packs including revisions to confirmation, to build high-quality, extensive product assortment.
- Research new market trends, materials, and techniques to enhance product value and exclusivity.
- Obtained additional responsibility for Urban Outfitters Men's Accessories, Men's footwear, Jewelry, and Free People Cold Weather.
- Managed a full time Production Assistant as direct report.
Product Development & Production Coordinator, Footwear
URBN, Inc.
04.2013 - 12.2013
- Manage all POs from bulk production through international shipment tracking to ensure on-time delivery.
- Ensure top-quality for all bulk production through close monitoring of all fit and production samples.
- Utilize product knowledge and factory capabilities to engineer FOB while maintaining product integrity.
- Communicate daily with international partners in Asia, India, and South America.
Intern for the President of Sales
BCBG Max Azria
03.2011 - 07.2012
- Assisted Account Executives in sales presentations for major retailers.
- Merchandised product for sales appointments and in-store display packets.
Product Development & Production Assistant Footwear/ Accessories
URBN, Inc.
03.2012 - 07.2011
- Oversaw Soft Accessories category from development stage through production.
- Oversaw footwear fit, wear-test, and technical development for Anthropologie Women's, UO Men's.
- Acted as liaison between logistics partners and vendors to ensure on-time deliveries.
- Approved and organized all development samples to ensure consistent quality.
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - FASHION DESIGN & MERCHANDISING
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
PHILADELPHIA, PASkills
- Global manufacturing and sourcing expertise
- Strategic planning skills
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership abilities
- Effective communication skills
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Product development expertise
- Supply chain management skills
- Market analysis proficiency
- Sales strategy development
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- Advanced Microsoft Outlook
- Advanced Microsoft Word
- Advanced Microsoft PowerPoint
- PLM and ERP systems proficiency including FLEX, Bamboo Rose, Island Pacific, Tradestone
- Adobe Photoshop proficiency
- Adobe Illustrator proficiency
- Adobe InDesign proficiency
References
Available upon request
Timeline
President
USA Footwear
04.2023 - Current
Senior Vice President of Sales, Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
06.2022 - 04.2023
Director of Sales, Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
06.2021 - 06.2022
Product Development & Account Executive, Women's Footwear
Northstar Sourcing LLC
11.2018 - 06.2021
Director of Product Development & Production
Rhode Resort NYC LLC
05.2018 - 11.2018
Product Development & Production Manager
Anthropologie, Inc.
10.2015 - 05.2018
Senior Product Development & Production Coordinator, Footwear
Anthropologie Inc.
12.2013 - 10.2015
Product Development & Production Coordinator, Footwear
URBN, Inc.
04.2013 - 12.2013
Product Development & Production Assistant Footwear/ Accessories
URBN, Inc.
03.2012 - 07.2011
Intern for the President of Sales
BCBG Max Azria
03.2011 - 07.2012
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - FASHION DESIGN & MERCHANDISING
DREXEL UNIVERSITY