Tammy Larkin
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Dynamic Raw Material Leader with extensive expertise in Trim & Product Packaging development, specializing in raw material sourcing and strategic optimization. Seasoned in supply chain management and materials development. Strong understanding of production processes and inventory control systems. Skilled in fostering supplier relationships, reducing costs while improving quality, and streamlining operations for efficiency. Previous roles have led to significant improvements in supply chain performance and cost reduction through strategic planning and process optimization. Expert in commercializing design-driven developments, cultivating innovative concepts, and nurturing creative collaborations with cross-functional teams.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Trim Consultant
Beyond Yoga
Toronto, Canada
08.2025 - Current
- Deliver comprehensive competitor analysis related to Trims.
- Analyze industry trends to guide strategic recommendations and initiatives.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives and deliverables.
- Create trend boards for trim core palette in alignment with core trim development strategy
- Assess and recommend enhancements to Supply Chain Strategy.
- Support Raw Material team in optimizing trim supply chain cost savings
- Evaluate and resolve testing challenges, offering solutions pertinent to production operations and supply chain sourcing.
Senior Director of Trim and Product Packaging
Aritzia
Vancouver, Canada
08.2019 - 08.2025
- Design and apply global sourcing strategies tailored to company objectives, prioritizing risk reduction, margin improvement, and innovative practices.
- Manage and guide Trim Managers in Trim Developments and Product Packaging Initiatives.
- Establish and direct high-performance team, promoting collaboration and innovation in workplace culture.
- Direct Trim Sourcing Team in determining raw material scope for business, consistently meeting quality benchmarks, timelines, and budget requirements.
- Oversee sourcing of new suppliers, evaluating and integrating partners
- Develop and oversee Trim Sourcing & Development Manual
- Ensure timely delivery on all trim requests with adherence to seasonal deadlines
- Collaborate with Manufacturing CPO to develop Trim business strategy for supply chain, ensuring coherence with global vision.
- Work alongside cross-functional teams to enhance new brand launch initiatives
- Facilitate negotiation of production lead times to ensure success of new projects with tighter deadlines
- Cultivate relationships with trim suppliers, monitoring KPIs, supplier assessments, business volume, and quality.
- Contribute actively during all creative work sessions to assess trim feasibility, quality, and profitability
- Coordinate with QA to determine quality criteria, reflecting updated mandates from China and EU.
- Resolving quality concerns detected in bulk while establishing new performance specifications per testing matrix
- Collaborate across functions on system developments enhancing performance, efficiency, and traceability – PLM
- Managed cross-functional projects to drive operational efficiency across departments.
- Directed budget allocation and resource management for optimal operational effectiveness.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms for materials or services.
Trim Manager
Canada Goose
Toronto, Canada
05.2018 - 08.2019
- Sourcing and managing vendors, executing strategies to develop and procure high-quality trims and raw materials within scope.
- Manage trim quality inspections to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Collaborate with design teams to select appropriate materials for seasonal collections.
- Facilitate communication between production and logistics teams for streamlined operations.
- Negotiate pricing contracts with vendors while ensuring quality control standards are met.
- Manage trim inventory levels, monitored stock levels, and reordered supplies as needed.
- Draft reports on trim performance metrics such as cost savings, efficiency gains.
- Resolve any issues or discrepancies related to trims during the production process.
- Participate in trade shows and conferences related to the latest developments in trim technology.
- Develop and implement trim strategies to minimize waste, and maximize cost savings.
- Identify areas of improvement in the current trim system, and create action plans to address them.
- Conduct market research activities related to emerging trends in fashion accessories and apparel trims.
- Provide technical support to the design team on color matching, fabric selection, and material sourcing for trims.
- Coordinate with suppliers to identify new materials for trim projects.
- Delegate work to staff, setting priorities, and goals.
- Review employee performance, and provide ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Form and manage Trim development team
- Develop Trim Sourcing and Development Manual.
- Review of nominated supplier KPIs and operational strategy
- Evaluate, recruit, and onboard new suppliers to address business demands and strengthen supplier diversity.
- Establish pricing benchmarks for trims in accordance with margins from merchandising team
- Establish checkpoints and deliverables to enhance trim development process aligned with company product calendar
- Spearhead presentations on trims at bi-annual Sales Conference with global partners, leading product knowledge sessions and instruction on raw materials and processes.
- Engage with QA in upholding supplier compliance and enhancing quality standards alongside sustainability initiatives.
- Bi-annual attendance at premier Vision NY/Paris – sourcing new suppliers and gathering market inspiration to align with brand aesthetic and future aspirations
- Partner with design on Trim concept requests aligned with product roadmap, timelines, and overarching strategies.
- Supervise lab dip procedures for trims, integrating lab dip submission tracking, lead time management, calendar organization, and testing execution.
- Addressing defective and obsolete trims via redevelopment in compliance with off-calendar timelines
- Resolving quality issues faced in bulk while establishing new performance specifications based on testing matrix
- Partner cross-functionally on development of system enhancing performance, efficiency, and traceability – PLM
Trim Manager
Lululemon
Vancouver, Canada
12.2016 - 05.2018
- Orchestrating sourcing and vendor relations, applying strategies to identify and procure top-tier trims and raw materials within scope.
- Construct and oversee Trim development team
- Work alongside Creative Director to identify trim concepts supporting seasonal direction and brand strategy
- Integrate trim development schedule with company calendar to fulfill deadlines and deliverables.
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with existing and new suppliers that reinforce brand strategies and future growth
- Coordinate with QA to set quality criteria, mitigate quality concerns, and launch new performance specifications.
- Direct team efforts to systematically organize and sustain library of trims for mainline and inspiration research
- Attend factories and trade shows to explore innovative concepts and trends for trim in accordance with seasonal calendar gates.
- Deliver concept boards highlighting insights from inspiration trips and new supplier collections to design and leadership
- Assess factory performance and new machine capabilities during visits to Asian factories, fostering relationships for improved development partnership.
- Administration of PLM framework for Trims Development
Trim Developer
Lululemon
Vancouver, Canada
10.2014 - 12.2016
- Analyze seasonal trends and report findings to Creative Director and Design Leadership
- Introduce innovative logo trim concepts utilizing advanced techniques from suppliers.
- Direct trim development process from concept through to commercialization
- Connect with suppliers in Asia to develop and refine new concepts and capabilities in real time
- Coordinate timelines and deliverables to align with trims process calendar.
- Evaluate trim sample submissions with design, delivering technical solutions and innovative input on request feasibility.
- Manage trims library housing all approved trims and maintain a repository of inspirational samples and design books for creative leverage
- Collaborate with QA to guarantee product quality and performance align with company standards.
- Ensure accuracy of all material records within systems
- Showcase all approved seasonal trims to cross-functional partners aligned with seasonal trend direction, performance, and costing guidelines.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Embroidered Textiles
National College of Art And Design
Ireland06-2009
Skills
- Raw material sourcing and strategic sourcing
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Market research and trend forecasting
- Quality assurance
- Team leadership and problem solving
- Supply chain strategy and optimization
- Cost reduction strategies
- Supplier negotiation and vendor relationship management
Timeline
Trim Consultant
Beyond Yoga
08.2025 - Current
Senior Director of Trim and Product Packaging
Aritzia
08.2019 - 08.2025
Trim Manager
Canada Goose
05.2018 - 08.2019
Trim Manager
Lululemon
12.2016 - 05.2018
Trim Developer
Lululemon
10.2014 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Embroidered Textiles
National College of Art And Design