Aine Graham
Director · Tory Burch
Denver, CO
In My Own Words
Senior Global Production Executive leveraging 20+ years’ experience in Product Development, Production, Collaborations,
Operations, Processes and Business Strategy, for the delivery of world class consumer product. Achieving great margins and facilitating significant cost savings through effective negotiations while managing $100,000,000 businesses, with 50+ vendors globally. I have overseen 3K+ adopted SKUs annually. I have furthered corporate sustainability goals through responsible vendor selections and careful material and packaging sourcing. I have conducted frequent international travel for sourcing and development.
Work Experience
Director Production Planning
Tory Burch2022 – Present
Strategic Leader Delivering Manufacturing Excellence. • Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, Design and Planning to oversee buy readiness and identify delivery risks and provide options. • Provide clear calendar milestones and cut offs for monthly deliveries, overseeing purchase order placement, in conjunction with business units and accounts services by managing and communicating all deliveries. • Support merchant’s needs and business requirements by working with PD and Production VP to allocate based on calendar and product needs; including late adds, chase product, quick turn styles, and test product. • Communicate to factories, agents and suppliers to ensure they are tracking to production milestone to meet on time deliveries and partner with Product Development and Materials team to work through any factory or supplier quality issues. • Lead material liability reduction efforts for Handbags and Small Leather goods and oversee liability reconciliation to ensure files are up to date and repayments are issued accordingly.
Director Global Apparel Operations
The North Face2019 – 2020
Defined and Facilitated the Product Development and Category Management team’s GTM and Product Creation Calendar. • Newly created position leading and enabling the Category Management and Product Development team’s operational success to shape the global vision of The North Face and build product of the future. • Structured and managed key internal processes for Category Management and Product Development. Also partnered with cross functional operational leads as well as Asian, South American, and European divisions to ensure flawless execution to GTM Objectives. • Drove GTM process in partnership with Design Operations and structured the seasonal detailed calendar, managing multiple seasons ensuring key milestone execution including cadence of events, objectives, agendas, materials, and logistics for key meetings.
Production Executive
Alex Mill2018 – 2019
Delivered Apparel and Accessories Manufacturing, at Excellent Margins and Exceptional Quality. • Joined the brand for the relaunch of Men’s and launch of Women’s product for Spring 2019 with former designer from J. Crew and Madewell and former CEO, Mickey Drexler. • Consulted in a new position responsible for overseeing Men’s and Women’s apparel and accessories product development and production, implementing new processes and calendar for the expansion of the brand from Men’s basics to a full collection of apparel for Men and Women. • Oversaw fabric development and monitored production orders with over 15 fabric suppliers in Europe and Asia. Managed lab dip process from development through production. • Identified areas for cost saving opportunities in trim, fabric, packaging, and garment production at the factory level. • Implemented testing and compliance procedures while also ensuring all vendors were aware and enacting testing protocol both domestically and internationally.
Director Global Design Operations - Contract
The North Face2018 – 2018
Defined and delivered Operational Excellence for the Global Design Team • Structured and managed key internal processes for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment creative team of 50+. Worked with global teams for The North Face USA to collaborate with TNF Japan, Asia Pacific, and European divisions. Assisted in elevating and managing the design team supporting them through the implementation of new TNF calendar and processes. • First point of contact when design input was needed for Product Development, Merchandising, Finance, Legal and Supply Chain. Liaison between design and HR, partnering to build design talent and reorganize the team, including working with the legal team on all contracts for contingent and temporary workers. • Worked with the CFO on creative budget and managed the allocation of T&E, contractors, samples, and special projects across the design team. • Coordinated special projects between design and the Global Innovation Center including Olympics 2020.
Senior Director Product Development and Production
Madewell2013 – 2018
Produced and Delivered Exceptional Product for Madewell brand, Collaborations and Outside Brands. • Oversaw product development functions from concept to delivery for Madewell footwear and accessories as well as new categories such as intimate apparel, and candles, including packaging development. • Resourced best-selling styles improving quality and cost, including Madewell’s best-selling Transport tote and all boot styles, which resulted in significant savings and improved IMU. • Improved department margin for 50% of jewelry styles by making small changes, which decreased duty rates over 7%. • Worked with design, tech design and merchants from the initial concept stage through delivery, enforcing production deadlines. • Sourced initial programs and counter sourced repeat items / styles while ensuring an IMU of at least 70%. Sourcing included fabric, leather, hardware, and trim. • Built and maintained relationships with agents and direct vendors in Asia, Australia, Mexico, South America, Italy, England, Ireland, India, and the US. • Managed all deliveries for multiple in DC dates within a season, for retail, direct and wholesale businesses. • Evaluated vendor base to add and remove vendors as necessary to maintain highest quality, best costs, and on-time deliveries. • Advised production details, negotiated pricing, communicated new procedures, and negotiated discount for late deliveries. • Create buy calendars per development, validating with agents and factories accounting for COO and product variability. • Monitored canceled materials and reduced liabilities working to almost eliminate to $0 for continuous seasons. • Adhered to all MTL/STR testing and compliance procedures for all vendors. Implemented any new testing protocol. • Responsible for all ticketing, labeling and required packaging of final bulk goods, including new package development. • Established and managed relationships with over 100 3rd party vendors, from initial set up to shipment. Brand categories included apparel, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, and home goods. Vendors included Vans, Veja, Birkenstock, Penfield, Adidas, Converse, Ulla Johnson, Karen Walker and Tretorn. • Oversaw processes and all shipments domestic and international, to wholesale accounts including Shopbop, Net a Porter and Nordstrom, maintaining wholesale vendor compliance and requirements. • Supervised and negotiated collaboration projects with outside designers and brands. Collaborations included Deer Dana, Food 52, Feed, Surfrider, Daryl K and Sezane.
Director Product Development and Production
J. Crew2000 – 2013
Produced and Delivered Exceptional Product for J. Crew Women’s accessories. • Oversaw Product development and Production for all women’s accessories including handbags, small leather goods, belts, hats, knit / silk scarves, gloves, cold weather, socks, hair accessories, gift items, umbrellas, and jewelry. Volume over $100,000,000 annually.
