Grace Yip
Manchester,UK
Summary
Product Development Specialist experienced in leading garment development from concept to production. Delivered timely retail launches by managing critical paths and multi-market timelines while optimising margins through strategic cost re-engineering and commercial matrix negotiations. Coordinated sample and fit lifecycles, maintained quality control, and facilitated effective communication among international design houses, retail headquarters, and overseas manufacturers.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Account Support
PROMAN UK
Manchester, UK
2026.04 - 2026.07
- Provided administrative and operational support to branch for ad-hoc requests and incidents, ensuring smooth daily operations.
- Maintained 100% accuracy of data maintenance in both systems and internal trackers
- Coordinated candidate attraction across multiple platforms and managed worker registration and onboarding processes, meeting high-volume weekly team targets.
- Achieved 100% adherence to corporate recruitment legislation and business file standards, maintaining compliance across all recruitment activities.
Product Developer
Chilli Apparel Limited
Manchester, UK
2024.11 - 2025.11
- Managed critical path timelines and end-to-end development, ensuring all project milestones were met accurately and successfully delivered product launch on schedule.
- Oversaw sample process from initial design to final approval, ensuring timely feedback and managing cost implications and production timelines.
- Facilitated communication between clients and suppliers to align commercial goals and resolve product issues by providing viable alternatives.
- Collaborated with functional teams (Sales, Merchandising, E-comm) to implement various business projects.
Warehouse Operative
People Solutions (GXO / JD Outdoors)
Manchester, UK
2024.10 - 2024.11
- Maintained 100% accuracy and met daily operation KPIs for picking and packing retail orders in a high-pressure distribution hub.
- Operated handheld scanning technology for efficient stock picking and replenishment.
Buying Manager
ALDI Services Asia Limited
Hong Kong
2022.05 - 2024.07
- Developed range plans for global markets and specific products based on analyses of KPI sales reports and market trends, while fostering communication with national teams through regular meetings and calls.
- Streamlined critical path for increased efficiency and cost saving by harmonising product specifications across national countries while maintaining product quality.
- Collaborated with design team to work on end-to-end product development; managed to resolve product issues by offering alternatives.
- Achieved cost reduction and improved margins with strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations, from external importers & vendors as well as internal sourcing team.
- Maintained accurate records of purchases, pricing, and other important data by using SAP/Ariba and other internal trackers.
Assistant Global Procurement Manager
Kiabi
Hong Kong
2015.11 - 2022.04
- Collaborated with headquarter in France on product requests in different buying approaches including seasonal range plan, fast to market & quick repeat, and buying trips to Asian countries. and managed to achieve a high level of attention on critical path management to ensure all product developments are followed up properly.
- Effectively utilised PLM systems and internal trackers to manage all validations from end-to end product development, purchase order confirmation and logistics shipment followup.
- Monitored production delivery and facilitated ship mode changes where necessary in order to meet in-store schedule.
- Ensured all product, pricing, and supplier data were accurately maintained in internal systems to support global procurement activities.
Regional Senior Merchandiser
H&M
Hong Kong
2013.09 - 2015.11
- Oversaw regional capacity planning to drive and execute agreed purchasing strategies with supply chains in different production countries, proactively monitored and resolved all the issues from unexpected incidents.
- Managed product development to ensure product is placed at the best deal with quality to optimise the margin.
- Monitored sample approval and production delivery throughout the whole production process.
Education
BA (Hons) - Fashion & Textiles
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong KongSkills
- Client Relationship Management
- Timeline management
- Stakeholder liaison
- Sample coordination
- Matrix negotiation
- Product development
- Global procurement
- PLM systems
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Account Support
PROMAN UK
2026.04 - 2026.07
Product Developer
Chilli Apparel Limited
2024.11 - 2025.11
Warehouse Operative
People Solutions (GXO / JD Outdoors)
2024.10 - 2024.11
Buying Manager
ALDI Services Asia Limited
2022.05 - 2024.07
Assistant Global Procurement Manager
Kiabi
2015.11 - 2022.04
Regional Senior Merchandiser
H&M
2013.09 - 2015.11
BA (Hons) - Fashion & Textiles
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University