Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Timeline
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Andrew Paternoster

Waterloo,NSW

Summary

With over 20 years of experience in senior level design room management, production management, product development, sourcing, and quality assurance within the international Australian womenswear and swimwear apparel industry, possesses a sophisticated and diverse skill set that is brought to every business. Passion lies in creating timeless clothing and accessories that transcend seasons, all while maintaining a focus on integrity and longevity.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Production Manager

MATTEAU
06.2019 - 02.2025
  • Management of local and offshore production of seasonal collections in alignment with brand personality and vision.
  • Oversee and lead team responsible for design, development and sourcing to ensure product meets brand and customer expectations in design, price, quality and speed to market.
  • Ensure achievement of gross margin via competitive retail price points, and effective retail buying strategies.
  • Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
  • Develop critical paths so that crossover of seasons and peak periods can be identified and communicated to management team and local vendors and manage the team and vendors to ensure critical deadlines are achieved.
  • Working with company Directors and designer on range plans, ensuring a balanced collection is developed whilst ensuring product categories and drops are attainable for bulk production.
  • Oversaw quality control efforts, maintaining strict adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements while achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
  • Engaged with sales teams to set target retail prices, providing vendors with target prices and working with them at every stage to achieve best possible outcome for the business.
  • Negotiating development costs, overseeing development invoices and following up payments when required.
  • Working with Directors and sales teams to set final selling prices and margin sign off for domestic and international sales.
  • Provided Directors with weekly updates on the progress of all Critical Path dates and how the business if effected.
  • Directed regular supplier reviews to evaluate performance and identify issues.
  • Increased overall productivity by identifying bottlenecks in the production process and proposing effective solutions.
  • Lead the team in weekly VIP meetings to ensure the development and continuous improvement of systems, processes and standards to improve local supply chain efficiency.
  • Implement and continuously improve local supply chain and future strategy for the business.
  • Managed continuous improvement initiatives to drive gains in quality, flow, and output.

Head of Product

P.E NATION
08.2017 - 05.2019
  • Management of product development/design and QA department.
  • Managed vendor relationships for cost-effective sourcing of materials and components, reducing production costs.
  • Developing and enforcing the critical path for all product categories to internal team, and external suppliers.
  • Supplier allocation, communication and management for the development cycle.
  • Mentored junior team members in best practices for product management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Oversaw budget allocation for product development projects, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
  • Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies that maximized revenue potential.
  • Raw material purchasing, scheduling and forecasting.
  • Communicated effectively with team members to deliver updates on project milestones and deadlines.
  • Working across sales/design to ensure FOB’s work with W/Sale and RRP targets for domestic & international markets, 4 collections annually, and 90-110 options per collection.
  • Developed product documentation to communicate upcoming features and products to internal teams.
  • Advising, coordinating and improving on supplier process and efficiency.
  • Maintained positive vendor relations to build strong partnerships.
  • Working with Director and Sales Director on final range offering and final margin on all styles.
  • Oversee all fittings and management of all approvals, offering fit and technical advice on range.
  • Management and sign-off sampling + development invoices and budget.
  • Overseas travel to mills + manufacturers, sourcing, negotiating and maintaining strong working relationships.
  • Working with Garment tech team and production team to ensure testing and care of garments is considered and worked through. Example: Dimensional stability, seam slippage, tearing strength, stretch and recovery.

C&M Product Development Manager

CAMILLA & MARC
01.2017 - 08.2017
  • Managing the product development life cycle of the following categories; C&M, CAMILLA AND MARC Denim, CAMILLA AND MARC Swim, Accessories and CAMILLA AND MARC Footwear.
  • Enforcing the critical path for product categories to internal team, and external suppliers.
  • Developing quality product in accordance to company standards, timelines, and price points.
  • Setting costing targets with guidance from the sales team.
  • Calculating product cost targets, communicating and negotiating these with suppliers.
  • Development and maintenance of costing worksheets and records.
  • Working with Director and Sales Director on final range offering and final margin on all styles.
  • Maintain a documented fabric library for all fabrications in development for handover to production.
  • Management of bulk approvals with production.
  • Working with Garment tech team and production team to ensure testing and care of garments is considered and worked through.

Product Development Manager

SASS & BIDE
03.2014 - 01.2016
  • Creation, implementation and execution of critical path and design / development budget, reporting directly to CEO.
  • Managing relationships (internal design and technical team plus external suppliers) and achieving critical dates the company has set in place in THE CP (critical path) during the development and production period.
  • Managing the development and execution of approximately 300 styles 4 seasons per year, worked on by 35 external offshore suppliers across 4 countries.
  • Managing a team of 15 employees to ensure the optimum design and delivery of seasonal product across 5 categories that meets RRP/margin improvement goals each season.
  • Leading weekly progress update development meetings with team across 5 categories and actively addressing design issues with Creative Director and Senior Management team where required with suitable resolution.
  • Attending weekly Senior Management meetings and presenting progress updates relating to CP dates and budget tracking.
  • Traveling internationally twice yearly to strengthen relationships with current overseas suppliers while also sourcing new suppliers according to the changing needs of the business and growth of product categories.
  • Sharing acquired knowledge, skills and abilities with the team in order to assist in their own personal and professional development. Co-workers feel comfortable coming to me with questions, comments and / or problems. I am comfortable offering support, advice, suggestions and encouragement individually or in larger group environment when required and offer additional training or support where necessary.


Design Room Coordinator

SASS & BIDE
02.2009 - 03.2014
  • Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
  • Facilitating in the recruitment for newly created roles within the design and technical department in response to the needs of the business and growth of product categories.
  • Delivery on the expenditure budget for FY15 by reducing spend and design requirements by 25%.
  • Development, implementation and evaluation of design/development sourcing processes with external suppliers.
  • Development and implementation of new CP and handover to offshore suppliers.
  • Co-ordination of daily operations and processes requiring handover to internal departments, streamlined and updated with changing needs of the business.
  • Managed vendor relationships to secure best quality of services and timeline

Designer / Design Room Manager

FLEUR WOOD
01.2007 - 08.2008
  • Managed the sampling process for seasonal collections ensuring timely delivery of sales samples within budget constraints and range plan
  • Created sketches and technical drawings to present design concepts to creative director
  • Design research, colour and trend forecasting for creative director during the iterative design process, saving time on revisions later down the line
  • Streamlined design processes, resulting in increased efficiency and faster product development
  • Created marketing materials, including range overviews, look books and product catalogues for sales and public relations
  • Managed work flow for Design Room Assistant, cutters, patternmakers and interns seasonally

Design Room Assistant

GEORGE GROSS & HARRY WHO
02.2000 - 10.2006
  • Liaison with company directors on a daily basis, both formal and informal, and sharing of ideas was a major part of my operations with George Gross and Harry Watt.
  • Sketching and development of ideas and designs, both technical and artistic
  • Clearly communicated design revisions to members of fashion design team
  • Collaborated with textile designers, patternmakers and sample makers to bring designs to life and meet target market needs
  • Preparation of offshore program for knitwear styles, shirting’s, jerseys and beaded evening wear
  • Created detailed measurement and construction specifications for design to be executed appropriately by production teams.
  • Followed market trends and research to establish innovative product offerings
  • Attended and assisted in all product fittings
  • Design and development of beading and embroidery designs which were then set to offshore and local manufacturers
  • Developed and maintained relationships with suppliers, vendors and other industry professionals to stay informed about new developments and resources available.
  • Development of garment and range swatch books, to be used with buyer showings and for staff and customers in all George Gross and Harry Who stores.

Education

Advanced Diploma - Textiles, Clothing & Footwear

Douglas Mawson Institute of Technology
Adelaide, SA
12-1997

Skills

  • International and local vendor management
  • Strategic garment production management
  • Cost negotiation expertise
  • Critical path development and implementation
  • Establishment of an internal fabric/garment testing department and quality assurance systems
  • Product development / sourcing
  • Forecasting and product scheduling
  • Leadership and cross functional team engagement

Interests

  • Drawing, Painting & DIY projects
  • I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
  • Snow Skiing


Timeline

Production Manager

MATTEAU
06.2019 - 02.2025

Head of Product

P.E NATION
08.2017 - 05.2019

C&M Product Development Manager

CAMILLA & MARC
01.2017 - 08.2017

Product Development Manager

SASS & BIDE
03.2014 - 01.2016

Design Room Coordinator

SASS & BIDE
02.2009 - 03.2014

Designer / Design Room Manager

FLEUR WOOD
01.2007 - 08.2008

Design Room Assistant

GEORGE GROSS & HARRY WHO
02.2000 - 10.2006

Advanced Diploma - Textiles, Clothing & Footwear

Douglas Mawson Institute of Technology

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Andrew Paternoster