Karla Solorzano
Los Angeles
Summary
Results-driven product development professional with over 15 years of experience in the fashion and apparel industry. Proven expertise in managing the entire product lifecycle from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and aligning ambassador visions with business objectives. Strong ability to anticipate challenges, create innovative solutions, and ensure deadlines are met. Skilled in maintaining communication across internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with brand identity and market trends. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Costing Manager
Active Apparel Group
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led the product creation process from brief to production, collaborating closely with Design and Development teams to ensure all product calendar and GTM milestones were met.
- Developed and maintained strong working relationships across functions including design, product management, and marketing, ensuring cohesive product alignment.
- Proactively identified potential roadblocks and collaborated with teams to develop solutions, ensuring a smooth product development process.
- Managed the costing framework, ensuring accurate standard costing for all products and raw materials prior to production.
- Analyzed market trends to adapt cost structures, achieving cost efficiencies and improving margins.
- Developed cost reduction strategies for increased profitability by analyzing product costs and identifying inefficiencies.
- Assisted in pricing strategy development to ensure competitiveness while maintaining profit margins.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process improvements, leading to reduced production costs.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders in the supply chain to facilitate negotiations aimed at lowering material costs over time.
Costing and Product Developer Specialist
Trina Turk
01.2012 - 01.2023
- Managed daily operations and system updates, ensuring seamless entry and updates of styles, colors, and sizes in Full Circle.
- Collaborated with production managers to determine labor costs and finalize BOMs, ensuring all changes were reflected throughout the development process.
- Maintained communication with factories and suppliers, ensuring product development and production timelines were met.
- Built and maintained a historical costing library, facilitating future product development and cost analysis.
- Played a key role in passing finalized cost sheets to the CEO, enabling accurate wholesale and retail pricing decisions.
- Identified potential risks in project timelines or budgets early on, implementing proactive solutions to avoid delays or cost overruns.
- Provided technical expertise during product design, contributing to improved functionality and user experience.
Domestic Pre-production Coordinator
Robert Rodriguez / Division of Jones Apparel
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Managed the sample and pattern rooms, overseeing the initiation of first patterns and coordinating with design teams to prioritize prototypes.
- Worked with patternmakers to manage garment detail information flow and ensure timely development of duplicate samples.
- Facilitated the pre-production process, working with technical designers to manage import details and set up initial tech packs and cost sheets.
- Maintained seasonal binders for lab dips, fabric, and trims, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records for each season.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
Product Development / Production Supervisor
7 for All Mankind
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Coordinated the development of first patterns into prototypes, managing the flow of patterns and garment details with patternmakers.
- Oversaw the timeline of patterns through sewing, lab dips, and wash developments, ensuring alignment with production schedules.
- Communicated with duplicate managers and import production teams, ensuring accurate and timely information flow.
- Attended all pre-production fittings, providing and confirming garment details to ensure production quality.
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Established clear priorities and production quality standards.
- Managed team of 3 production associates, overseeing productive production processes and meeting all deadlines.
Product Development / Pre-production
Green Dragon
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Managed the development of garments from concept to production, overseeing the flow of patterns and prototypes through the production process.
- Initiated lab dips and wash developments, ensuring quality and consistency in final products.
- Created and maintained tech packs, ensuring accurate documentation of garment specifications and production requirements.
Design Room Coordinator / Costing Technician
Joie Jeans
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Coordinated sample room flow and managed the development of garments in close collaboration with design teams.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
- Created tech packs and finalized BOMs each season, ensuring accurate costing and documentation for production.
Pre-production Coordinator
Unger Fabrik
01.1999 - 01.2003
- Sourced and managed products from initial development through the final phase, including fabric and trim sourcing.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
- Gathered and organized materials to support operations.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
- Implemented cost-saving measures through resource allocation optimization, leading to significant budget reductions.
Education
General Education -
Santa Monica College
12.1995
High School Diploma -
Sacred Heart of Jesus
12.1992
Skills
- Product Development: Concept to Production Lifecycle, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Cost Negotiation, Duty Rates
- Project Management: Timeline Management, GTM Strategy, Production Scheduling
- Technical Skills: Full Circle, SAP, OSAS, AIMS, AS400, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Mac OS, Mondaycom, Google sheets
- Communication: Bilingual (English/Spanish), Professional Presentation, Stakeholder Alignment
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Costing Manager
Active Apparel Group
01.2023 - 01.2024
Costing and Product Developer Specialist
Trina Turk
01.2012 - 01.2023
Domestic Pre-production Coordinator
Robert Rodriguez / Division of Jones Apparel
01.2010 - 01.2011
Product Development / Production Supervisor
7 for All Mankind
01.2007 - 01.2009
Product Development / Pre-production
Green Dragon
01.2006 - 01.2007
Design Room Coordinator / Costing Technician
Joie Jeans
01.2003 - 01.2006
Pre-production Coordinator
Unger Fabrik
01.1999 - 01.2003
General Education -
Santa Monica College
High School Diploma -
Sacred Heart of Jesus
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