1. Robin L. Graff
10810 Mcgregor Blvd, Fort Myers FL, 33919
Phone 239-220-1449 E-mail noobles22@yahoo.com
Creative and detail oriented Product Development Manager/technical designer with extensive experience
in woven, denim and sweater production for Women’s , Plus size and Kid’s. Accounts/stores include -
Chico’s, Target, Lord and Taylor, JC Penney, Wal Mart, Stage stores.
Objective is to use my technical and creative experience to create and engineer product for a modern
ever changing customer with a company that is progressive in outlook and product.
AREAS OF STRENGTH
· Meeting tight deadlines, supervising and prioritizing staff and overseeing projects. Able to work
in a fast paced multi priority atmosphere independently or in a team based environment.
· Able to react quickly to change and coordinate product line changes with team and vendor
immediately. Strong sense of priority and ability to shift gears fast to accommodate urgent
situations.
· Hands on experience managing diverse specialty categories – denim, jackets, artisan/novelty
product and sweaters.
· Implementation of relevant benchmark research and fit studies in product development
construction and fit execution.
· Developing multi faceted lines which coordinate print, yarn dye, solids and embroidery.
· Coordinating overseas office development through production, and maintaining good relations
via travel, e-mail, and phone, including hands on sampling and sourcing in overseas offices.
· Computer adept. Experience includes Illustrator, Flex PLM, Optitex, Prima Vision, WEB
PDM/Micrographics Designer.
EXPERIENCE
Chicos FAS Fort Myers, Florida
Product Development Manager – 10/05/12 - Present
Sweaters/ Woven jackets
Product Evolution Management
-Ensure the overall aesthetic execution of the product through all stages.
-Coordinate Design, Sourcing, and Fabric teams in early stages of development to place product
with appropriate overseas vendors and set expectations for cost range
-Communicate with vendors and set expectations on quality, aesthetic, and cost and throughout
the product life cycle.
-Manage development and approval of wash and specialty garment dying techniques including
denim washes, color loss washes and pigment garment dyes
-Manage development and approval of Artisan and printed jackets – including
beading/embroidery, laces, foil printing, heat sets, digital and sublimation printing
-Manage development and approval of sweater knits – including complex yarn/color
combinations, stitches, printing, and aesthetic construction details

2. Communication Management and leadership
-Manage associate and assistant level tem members. Responsible for coaching the team in
problem solving and strategic trouble shooting. Oversee and review approvals with the team
-Maintain positive relationships with vendors while pushing them for on time submits, directing
them on process and giving critical feedback on sample execution.
Organizational Effectiveness
-Manage calendar expectations, prioritize sampling deadlines, coordinate in house printing and
sample making so that all pieces of the line are represented for milestone meetings
-Implement and communicate quick changes, late adds and sample turnaround within the
product line at all stages of development and production ensuring that both vendors and cross
functional teams are clear on actions and timing.
- Track and manage the review of all approval submits for Strike offs, lab dips, handlooms, trims,
and fabric hand feel ensuring that all approvals meet deadlines and trouble shoot delivery and
timing issues based on approval timing.
- Oversee internal and vendor Flex PLM maintenance of ETAs, BOM details, approvals, sample
requests, and document changes in order to have detailed and accurate tracking and reports for
milestone and daily meetings.
Target Corporation Minneapolis MN
Sr. Technical Designer 07/01/05 – 08/26/12
Technical Designer
Product engineering
-Managing product development from beginning stages through construction costing strategies,
partnering with design, buying and sourcing teams
-Product specification communication with vendors including, fit construction, bill of
Materials, color impressions and artwork through specification packets and e-mail.
-Communication of fit corrections and trouble shooting manufacturing issues with vendors.
Management and leadership
-Organizing and leading group research projects for improvement of quality and relevance to the
market.
-Development of best methods and training others in implementation of processes.
-Leading team in developing technical skills and knowledge, developing training
programs and references.
-Participation in committees to drive change and implement new process.
Organizational Effectiveness
-Prioritization of personal and direct report workload according to company calendar. Flexibility
dealing with calendar changes and urgent project implementation.
-Managing project and workload timelines for the team with technical managers and organizing
help for the team when needed.
-Daily communication prioritization, ensuring that all communications are answered daily
avoiding backlog in production.
-Managing samples and sample reviews in team meetings

3. May Department Stores ST. Louis MO.
Technical Designer
Assistant Technical Designer 11/12/01- 07/01/05
· Fit and pattern correction
-Identify fit problems with Women’s, Misses and men’s wear.
-Illustrate and communicate complex fit problems to overseas offices including detailed photos,
sketches, and computer illustrated diagrams.
-Accommodate the company’s consumer profile through understanding body variances of
customer, fit models, and dress form, and addressing fit corrections accordingly.
-Conduct organized fittings in New York to review each season’s line with Designers and Product
Managers.
· Specification
-Establish general fit standards for a specified line according to company guidelines and customer
profile.
-Begin development process with standard specifications and suggestions for designers.
· Organization
-Tracking approved fabrics and trims.
-Meeting target sample approval and Production dates.
-Creating and updating style packages and keeping style history and information current and
organized.
-Utilize company timing and action calendar to maintain smooth on time work flow.
Falcon Garments Dallas Texas
Design Coordinator, Sr. Designer 1992-2001
· Line concept development and sales presentation
-Trend research
-Consumer identification, relevant store and market research.
-Textile and print development
-Illustration and concept board presentations.
· Sampling and sourcing
-Specification and tech drawing, including any Cad or design system.
-Overseas sourcing including sourcing work in overseas factories
-Transition of sample styles into production, including fit, trims, and purchase order details.
· Textile Development
-Yarn dye development including original plaid design, and jacquard development.
-Knowledge of fabric finishes and constructions.
-Approval of desk looms, lab dips, and coordination of multi textile groups
· Coordinating Design work
-Supervising and prioritizing intern and design assistant work.
-Training new staff,
-Coordinating projects between Design, Art, and Production departments.

4. Education and Training
-El Centro Dallas County Community College, design and pattern making.
-Prima Vision Cad training.
-Target denim wash and finishing training