This document provides a summary of Denise Kaatz's qualifications and experience in production, sourcing, product development, and quality assurance in the apparel industry. Over 10 years of experience in these areas. Also over 8 years of experience in account management and process improvement. Core competencies include communication, organization, creativity, leadership, and results orientation. Professional experience includes roles managing production and sourcing for various apparel companies. Educated in organizational leadership and fashion merchandising. Skilled in technical design, quality assurance, costing, and product development for the apparel industry.

1. Denise Kaatz
831-332-1824 | denisekaatz@msn.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
10+ years experience in production/sourcing, product development and technical design/quality assurance in the
apparel industry. 8+ years experience in account management and process improvement in the manufacturing industry.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Communication Initiative Organizing & Planning
Creativity Integrity Results Oriented
Detail Oriented Leadership Self Starter
High Standards Negotiation Team Management
Apparel Production & Sourcing Experience: Works effectively with department executives, suppliers and
manufacturers to develop new fabric technologies and innovative product. Exceptional organizational, communication,
and work-planning skills. Accountability and attention to details. Practical experience with offshore sourcing, with an
emphasis on business aspects of contract development. Ability to communicate and negotiate time frames and goals in
a multi-cultural environment. Experience in developing business agreements with contractors and negotiating terms
including FOB price, MOQs, payment and export/import requirements.
Apparel Product Development Experience: Successfully leads and executes the work of the development team
including overseeing multiple apparel product lines from inception to completion. Collaborates with internal and external
partners and manages contractors. Drives innovation.
Apparel Technical Design & QA Experience: Knowledge of garment construction and technical fabrics. Expert on fit
and grading. Experience in costing. Ability to ensure quality and safety requirements are adhered to. Knowledgeable in
CPSIA and Proposition 65 requirements within the apparel industry.
Product Categories: knits & wovens, technical outerwear, insulated/down outerwear, bonded/seam sealed ski apparel,
denim, performance cycling, luxury sportswear, neckwear.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ROBERT TALBOTT 2015 – PRESENT
PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST MONTEREY, CA
Manages offshore production (Asia, Canada and Italy) including purchasing, quality control and prototype development.
GIRO SPORT DESIGN/BRG SPORTS 2013 – 2015
SENIOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPER – APPAREL SCOTTS VALLEY, CA
Managed the production and development of men’s and women’s cycling apparel. Developed and tested trims and
technical fabrics. Worked with Design, Merchandising and Planning on raw materials selection and sourcing. Conducted
all fit sessions and updated BOMs, measurement specs and style changes. Primary communication and liaison
between Design/Merchandising and offshore and domestic factories. Managed the development of apparel from
concept and design, through production. Creatively resolved manufacturing challenges to ensure a successful end
product.
• Implemented a calendar to align development with production/design, merchandising and planning.
• Revised men’s’ and women’s’ grade rules for a more consistent fit.
• Expanded offshore factory base for sublimated print styles by sourcing/vetting Asia garment factories to ensure
social and environmental compliance.
• Implemented a wear-testing program to ensure quality of garments for fit and function.
• Worked with design to develop conceptual, high-performance cycling suits.

2. SIERRA DESIGNS 2011 - 2013
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BOULDER, CO
Managed offshore production and development process for SD Brand apparel. Managed Technical Design team and
freelance designers. Sourced raw materials and approved quality, color and performance standards. Oversaw color
and print development. Managed production tracking to ensure on-time delivery of product. Monitored fittings to interpret
designer’s vision regarding construction, fit and styling. Initiated fabric testing to verify technical attributes.
Communicated with overseas agents to monitor size sets, pre-production samples and production. Worked with sales
to determine book production capacity and production buys.
• Improved fit by creating new mens’ and womens’ grade rules for consistency within the Brand.
• Managed and negotiated production sourcing at multiple offshore factories to improve target FOBs.
• Created and implemented standardized testing process for technical fabrics.
• Successfully managed and delivered fast-tracked Dri-Down program to REI.
SIERRA DESIGNS 2010 - 2011
PRODUCT DEVELOPER BOULDER, CO
Managed creation and delivery of Sales Samples including placing production pos and ordering griege. Monitored
quality to ensure production, performance, fit and construction standards. Conducted costing analyses to determine
target FOBs. Worked with sales to forecast production buys.
• Created new size chart based on competitive analyses and ASTM standards.
• Negotiated lower minimums and pricing on technical fabrics.
• Developed “Special Make Ups” for Phillip Morris, Inc. including special fabric/trims and additional sizing.
• Created “How To Measure” Manual to ensure standardized measuring within all offshore factories.
STONEWEAR DESIGNS 2008 - 2010
PRODUCTION MANAGER LOUISVILLE, CO
Managed domestic production for Stonewear Designs apparel. Collaborated with Brand Director and Sales Director to
conceptualize and develop seasonal line plan. Analyzed past sales and forecasted buys for raw materials and finished
goods. Sourced fabric and trims. Initiated production cut tickets and raw materials POs. Conducted costing analyses
and advised target FOBs.
• Increased domestic factory base and improved cut and sew pricing on minimums.
• Lowered raw materials overages by creating tracking system to manage pre and post production inventory.
FRESH PRODUCE SPORTSWEAR 2006 - 2008
SALES SAMPLE AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR BOULDER, CO
Maintained Style Master to ensure accurate data entry including style codes, skus and pricing. Initiated and submitted
Technical Packages to pattern companies and factories including prototype comments, sketch updates and BOMs.
Created and managed company-wide calendar with key benchmarks for all departments. Managed sales samples to
ensure quality and on-time delivery to sales team. Performed daily communication and follow-up with overseas agents
from order placement to shipping.
• Streamlined Sales Sample process for 100% delivery of multiple season sales samples.
• Improved QA process by implementing process to track reoccurring fit and construction issues on prototypes.
• Created best practice standards within the Technical Design Department.
ARCHWAY MARKETING SERVICES 2005 - 2006
WHIRLPOOL ON-SITE ACCOUNT MANAGER BENTON HARBOR, MI
Managed Trade Partner co-marketing promotions and coordinated all cross-brand promotional activities with Whirlpool,
KitchenAid, Kenmore, Sears and Gladiator.
• Implemented organizational-wide Oracle data reporting tool to monitor promotions and analyze consumer activity.
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION 2004 - 2005
MERCHANDISING ASSISTANT BENTON HARBOR, MI
Supported Merchandising Department overseeing multiple Whirlpool Corporation product lines.

3. EDUCATION
MA DEGREE IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI
AA DEGREE IN FASHION MERCHANDISING
West Valley College, Saratoga, CA
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Apparel Merchandising, Design and Development
West Valley College, Saratoga, CA
MEMBERSHIPS
ASTM
OIA – Outdoor Industry Association
Fashion Group International – Los Angeles
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
Cotton, Inc. – Cotton in the Apparel Industry, Memphis, TN (10/11/13)
SGS – The Effects of Proposition 65 on Apparel and Accessories Industry (9/15/12)
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Emily Griffith Opportunity School – Apparel Production and Development:
Textiles, Grading, Draping, Flat Pattern Drafting, Professional Sewing, Fashion Sketching
VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Cycling For Starters Class – Volunteer instructor
Santa Cruz Cycling Club
2015 - present
Twin City Players – Community Theatre
Costume Design
2004 – 2008
SKILLS
Adobe Illustrator, WFX PLM Software for Apparel, MS Excel, MS Word