Saron Richards
London,UK
Summary
Driven by a passion for blending creativity with commercial success, I excel as a Head of Product and Production Manager in the luxury fashion and B2C sectors. My comprehensive journey in the industry has equipped me to oversee projects from concept to completion, meticulously managing every detail—from fabric selection and garment construction to ensuring precise fit.
With a robust background in development, sourcing, and technical expertise, I effectively collaborate with diverse teams and build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders through clear and confident communication. I thrive in dynamic, entrepreneurial environments where strategic partnerships are essential, and I am dedicated to fostering a motivating and positive workplace culture. My leadership inspires teams to achieve excellence and drive innovation, consistently contributing to the success and growth of the organisations I serve.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
HEAD OF PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION MANAGER
HOLLYWOOD AUTHENTIC LUXURY RTW
02.2024 - 11.2024
- Responsible for managing the development from the design stage to production
- Sourcing all fabric and trims.
- Creation and maintaining BOMS and graded specs from SMS to production.
- Compiling all costing sheets for each product (Excel).
- Liaising with external teams for collaboration project.
- Managing the manufacturing team (SMS & Production) UK/EU.
- Attending of all fit meetings and updating the comments to the design team and suppliers.
- QC'ing bulk production.
- Creating and developing the care labels, main brand label and size tabs.
- Working closely with the Finance Manager on invoice payments and negotiations.
- Spearheaded the development of all packaging, ensuring they met functional aesthetics and aligned the brands DNA
- Setting up all skus and creating ASN on Mintsoft (software platform WHS)
- Visiting and supporting the WHS Team (Saltaire)
CONSULTANT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
LESTRANGE
06.2021 - 12.2023
- Responsible for overseeing (with the Head of Design and Materials Impact Manager) the development and lifecycle of the collection that embodied the brand’s ethos and KPI’s. (Two seasonal collections per year which were ordered quarterly).
- Accountable for lab dips, strike offs and approving bulk production fabrication.
- Maintaining the seasonal fabric and trim files.
- Creating and maintaining the sample and production tracker.
- Uploading of new skus, cross checking PO's on Zedonk.
- Managed, with the Head of Production, strategic goals, established timelines, sourcing of manufacturing CMT and Fully Factored along with quality control, to ensure seamless co-ordination and successful product launches.
- Regularly, evaluating the supplier base against performance criteria, cost, and quality.
- Accountable on a weekly basis for the CP development, including raw materials sourcing, testing (Intertek) and updating the information back to the relevant parties.
- Creating and updating BOMS.
- Measuring all SMS, prior to fit meeting, working with external garment tech on comments for next samples.
- Implemented and put into place working strategies which streamlined the process for the internal stake holders to work more effectively.
- Trend and pricing research in collaboration with Merchandising and Head of Design
- Chasing all samples for the E-Comm and Marketing Teams.
- Attending E-comm photoshoots.
- Creation of all care label details.
- Working with Head of Design on collaborations (Tog Knives, Troubadour bags and Waterford Whisky).
- Overseeing both UK/EU WHS optimizing processes for efficiency, coordinating transportation, managing inventory, and ensuring the timely delivery of bulk production deliveries from the suppliers
- Successfully expanding the range with the Head of Design from 10 to 50 number of categories, leading to an additional £2M revenue of growth
- Redevelopment of the 24 Trousers (OKR) with Turkish supplier to help increase the margin closer to 70%
HEAD OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
SPOKE
04.2017 - 12.2020
- Led the comprehensive development process for both core and seasonal collections, ensuring that each phase from concept to launch was executed with precision.
- Creation of CP for new and core collections.
- Responsible for sourcing fabrics and trims and maintaining the filing system for each season.
- Accountable for updating the development and sampling process (Trello), updating the team and Founder and CFO on a weekly basis.
- Charged with the VP of Merchandising to present the seasonal/core collections.
- Defined and managed the budget for each collections.
- Sought new business connections to broaden development processes.
- Organised research and development with Product Director establishing related goals, requirements and budgets.
- Managing a talented team, including the Freelance Designer, to foster creativity and innovation while maintaining focus on business objectives
- Collaborated closely with manufacturers and suppliers, establishing strong partnerships that facilitated seamless communication and efficient production workflows.
- In charge of creating the collection calendar for the Marketing Team.
- Implementing structured and timelines and project management strategies, I successfully delivered four distinct collections each year, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.
- Led the successful development of the denim and Tolo (hybrid polo shirt) the buy was around 25% of the business with a sales increase of 5.5%
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
ALFRED DUNHILL
08.2011 - 12.2016
- Partnered with the Creative Directors, Design and Merchandising Team to architect the Core/Seasonal/Links outerwear and Show collection were aligned with the needs of the business.
- Managing the entire product roadmap (8 collections per year) making the decision on supplier base, target cost to achieve the margin goals (70%).
- Optimised product lifecycle, overseeing progress and mitigating issues from conception to post-launch follow-up.
- Planned and placed all sampling orders (fabrics and trims) for factories.
- Accountable for managing and negotiating the collection budget.
- Creating the line list and colour card list for the selling campaign.
- Overseeing the Critical path.
- Working closely with the garment technologist and suppliers to ensure that the garments were made correctly, meeting quality standards and specifications
- Worked with cross-functional teams to address manufacturing requirements.
- Trained and mentored junior product/design teams to deliver on stringent timelines and exceptional quality standards.
- Under my leadership, the woven outerwear was a key performer globally, with a 56% increase on sales value and 58% increase on units.
PRODUCT/PRODUCTION MANAGER
SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI
03.2009 - 12.2011
- Company Overview: (WOMEN’S RTW)
- Implemented and managed all development and production operations
- Managing the in-house sampling/production seamstresses
- Development of the secondary collection “KORE” with Asos
SENIOR PRODUCT/PRODUCTION MANAGER
LUELLA BARTLEY
01.2008 - 12.2009
- Oversaw the entire development process (4 collections) from initiation to placing and delivering bulk production into the Distribution Centre
SENIOR PRODUCT CO-ORDINATOR
BURBERRY
01.2001 - 12.2008
- Responsible developing both Prorsum and London lines (8 collections) from design concept to pre-production release
- Sourcing and development within the EU and FE
- Managing a team of Product Developers
- Designed and developing the Brit Accessories SLG core collection
- Designed and developed Men’s leather nylon quilt collection
Education
Shirt Making Course -
LONDON ACADEMY OF BESPOKE
Bespoke Tailoring Course - undefined
UAL
Draping and Pattern Making Course - undefined
MORLEY COLLEGE
Professional Sewing Techniques Course - undefined
UAL
BA - fashion and Marketing
SURREY INSTITUTE
BTEC National Diploma - GVD
SOUTHWARK ART COLLEGE
A Levels - History, English, English Literature, Art, Human Biology
SILVERTHORNE GIRLS SCHOOL
Skills
Productionundefined
References
References are available upon request.
Timeline
HEAD OF PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION MANAGER
HOLLYWOOD AUTHENTIC LUXURY RTW
02.2024 - 11.2024
CONSULTANT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
LESTRANGE
06.2021 - 12.2023
HEAD OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
SPOKE
04.2017 - 12.2020
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
ALFRED DUNHILL
08.2011 - 12.2016
PRODUCT/PRODUCTION MANAGER
SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI
03.2009 - 12.2011
SENIOR PRODUCT/PRODUCTION MANAGER
LUELLA BARTLEY
01.2008 - 12.2009
SENIOR PRODUCT CO-ORDINATOR
BURBERRY
01.2001 - 12.2008
Bespoke Tailoring Course - undefined
UAL
Draping and Pattern Making Course - undefined
MORLEY COLLEGE
Professional Sewing Techniques Course - undefined
UAL
BA - fashion and Marketing
SURREY INSTITUTE
BTEC National Diploma - GVD
SOUTHWARK ART COLLEGE
Shirt Making Course -
LONDON ACADEMY OF BESPOKE
A Levels - History, English, English Literature, Art, Human Biology
SILVERTHORNE GIRLS SCHOOL
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