KAE HOKIN
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
- Out-of-the-box thinker with a strategic mindset for launching successful new products to market
- 10+ years of buying experience specialising in omni channel businesses
- Strong end to end product development experience
- Cross functional buying and planning skills
- Creative and trend-aware, balanced with a strong commercial acumen
- Skilled in developing and implementing category vision and strategy
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Product Developer - Textiles
Buzz Products
03.2023 - Current
- Lead textiles product developer for First and Business Class Cabins working across leading international airlines in the travel industry
- Develops tailor-made, premium guest and in-flight amenities including loungewear, sleepwear and bedding products
- Working closely alongside Buzz's award winning in-house design team to exclusively designed private labelled products to be produced for the world's leading airlines
- Utilises Buzz's portfolio of luxury brand partnerships to create co-branded pyjamas, in-flight linen and soft accessories for the most premium travel experiences
- Working across factories around the globe - carefully selecting the appropriate supply partner that will meet each airline's individual requirements including specific sourcing origins and sustainability measures
- Manages the whole product development journey from the initial brief through to concept and final product manufacturing and delivery
Brosa
Furniture & Homewares Buyer
05.2021 - 12.2022
- Managed the end-to-end product development process from initial concept to design, quality, production to GTM strategy across all furniture and homewares categories
- Developed optimum seasonal product ranges aligned to Brosa's DNA and in-line with KPIs
- Utilised extensive product knowledge and trend awareness to develop strong product assortments
- Built seasonal assortment plans to ensure the optimum range depth and width of offer
- Delivered sales and profit targets by working with the Planning team to ensure stock turn and inventory levels are consistently optimised
- Worked directly with the Head of Sourcing to identify factory and supplier capabilities around innovation and production
- Managed factories and vendor relationships between sourcing, design and production
- Worked in conjunction with the Head of Sourcing to negotiate costings and payment terms to achieve company margin and net-working targets
- Streamlined buying processes to create efficiencies across end-to-end product development process.
Spotlight
Bedding And Bath Buyer
10.2019 - 05.2021
- Developed and executed the Spotlight merchandising strategy for the Bedding and Bath categories
- Full accountability for trading the category and implemented appropriate tactical activities in relation to sales, profit, stock to drive business outcomes
- Managed and completed range selection for private label and branded products including global sourcing, financial performance planning, product and price architecture
- Maintained key branded relationships and executed strategies to develop each brand’s growth and success
- Maintained solid and regular competitor and trend analysis to remain relevant and build a range to suit the market and Spotlight’s customer segmentation
- Applied advanced negotiation skills to achieve optimal trading terms that deliver commercial targets
- Worked collaboratively with the planning team to determine assortment plans, conduct post seasonal reviews and build product sales and performance plans
- Full ownership of Bedding and Bath marketing calendar and promotional plans
- Led Bedding and Bath team to high performance through regular and effective coaching, feedback, mentoring and training and development opportunities
BHS
Home Accessories + Textiles Buyer
10.2017 - 01.2019
- Planned and executed a tactical re-launch of BHS Home private label developments for key categories to increase margin, achieve better delivery timelines and optimise synergies with suppliers across categories
- Introduced own key supplier contacts to BHS to help rebuild BHS private label brand
- Full ownership and responsibility of category ranging from concept to through to production for UK online channel and wholesale franchised stores in the Middle East
- Worked alongside the Home Merchandise Planning team to maximise sales results, stock position and key financial KPIs
- Performed regular sales report analysis and proposed key action plans to leadership teams
Habitat
Furniture And Upholstery Buyer
11.2016 - 10.2017
- Worked alongside Habitat’s in-house design team to develop and design product ranges in line with Habitat’s seasonal trends
- Managed the product development cycle from concept briefs to sampling, final production and instore/online launch
- Conducted a strategic sourcing review, delivering +2% YOY margin improvement, improved product quality and minimising logistics costs and shipping time
- Utilised customer data on consumer shopping behaviour to drive brand and product distribution strategy resulting in increased cross-category spend and AOV
- Managed direct supplier relationships and negotiations to maximise promotional/range opportunities, supplier terms and markdown support
- Worked cross functionally with Ecom, Planning and Stores teams to execute action plans and develop ways of improving customer journey across all channels
- Performed in depth category analysis of the online and stores channels and developed key action plans in order to achieve set targets and KPIs
Bathstore
Home Accessories And Textiles Junior Buyer
11.2015 - 11.2016
- Assisted the Head of Product with the establishment of a new online product division for soft home categories
- Delivered a strong curated range of branded products for the launch of 3 new categories:
- Bath linens, Bath Accessories and Storage
- Developed category specific strategies that will drove a commercial, balanced and profitable range online
- Reviewed daily sales and stock position, reacted to trade, potential risks and opportunities
- Participated in trade meetings highlighting keys sales trends and competitor activity
- Worked with a UX development team to build and launch new microsite from conception through to delivery
- Devised a seasonal promot ional calendar to support the launch of the department and increase online traffic and customer awareness
MADE.COM
Bedding & Bath Assistant Buyer
03.2015 - 08.2015
- Assisted the buyer with delivering AW15 product launches on target schedule
- Worked alongside the Made studio design team and the buyer to make key development decisions
- Maintained contact with both European and Far East suppliers to feedback changes and comments on samples
- Critical path management, sample management and tracking production schedules
- Monday trade reports and sales analysis
- Maintained and tracked visual range plans and release calendars
Burberry
Menswear Assistant Buyer
10.2014 - 02.2015
- Coordinated the AW15 global brand buy market for Burberry Brit collection
- Organised and prepared AW15 collection notes and buying guides
- Supported regional buyers in preparing seasonal strategies through effective insight
- Analysis and assortment planning
- Conducted competitive and pricing analysis to establish pricing architecture
- Assisted in preparing and briefing Burberry designers on SS16 seasonal range plans
David Jones
Home Accessories Assistant Buyer
08.2011 - 07.2014
- Assisted the buyer with selecting and ranging a balanced combination of branded products and David Jones private label ranges
- Ensured that each category strategy is achieved through appropriate brand addition/deletion and range planning
- Assisted in the development of products sourced by the buyer from Far East, America and
- Europe for ‘David Jones Home’
- Worked alongside the Merchandising team to effectively manage stock intake and allocations
- Regularly analysed sales reports and reacted accordingly to trade
- Assisted the buyer with exceeding sales budgets through carefully considered range reviews, assortment plans and promotional planning
- Negotiated margins, vendor markdown assistance, advertising contributions, stock swaps, exclusivity and general trading terms with suppliers
- Managed critical path and delivery schedules making critical decisions to minimise potential risks
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Media and Communications
University of Toronto
2008
International Exchange Program -
University of New South Wales
2007
Skills
- Global Sourcing
- End to End Product Development
- Range Planning, Building & Strategy
- OTB Management
- Sales & Product Analysis
- Trend Forecasting & Analysis
Timeline
Lead Product Developer - Textiles
Buzz Products
03.2023 - Current
Brosa
Furniture & Homewares Buyer
05.2021 - 12.2022
Spotlight
Bedding And Bath Buyer
10.2019 - 05.2021
BHS
Home Accessories + Textiles Buyer
10.2017 - 01.2019
Habitat
Furniture And Upholstery Buyer
11.2016 - 10.2017
Bathstore
Home Accessories And Textiles Junior Buyer
11.2015 - 11.2016
MADE.COM
Bedding & Bath Assistant Buyer
03.2015 - 08.2015
Burberry
Menswear Assistant Buyer
10.2014 - 02.2015
David Jones
Home Accessories Assistant Buyer
08.2011 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Media and Communications
University of Toronto
International Exchange Program -
University of New South Wales
Similar Profiles
Eliana IbarraEliana Ibarra
Project Manager at BUZZ PRODUCTSProject Manager at BUZZ PRODUCTS
Scarlett McKayScarlett McKay
Cafe Worker at Buzz SuperfoodCafe Worker at Buzz Superfood
Jonah SteinhilberJonah Steinhilber
Barista at Better Buzz CoffeeBarista at Better Buzz Coffee
Zac JonesZac Jones
Duty Manager at Village CinemasDuty Manager at Village Cinemas
John LatuilaJohn Latuila
Carpenter at Jarvis McCleanCarpenter at Jarvis McClean