Jason Ahn

Product Design & Development

United States | US

Skills

Financial Planning
Computer Literacy
Attention to Detail
Presentations
Information Gathering

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Interests

Cycling

Industries

Bike

Golf

Fashion

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Run

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Home Summary Activity Projects Work experience Education history Connections Companies

In my own words

— Jason

<h2><strong class="ql-font-monospace">Product Design & Development | Creative Vision | Market & Trend Analysis | Global Expansion | Cross-Functional Leadership | Brand Development | Product Lifecycle | User-Centric Innovation | Revenue & Brand Growth</strong></h2><h3><br></h3><h3>With a career spanning well over a decade in product development and design, I have been at the forefront of transforming innovative ideas into market-leading products within the fashion industry.

My journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of product innovation and global market trends. Here’s how I make an impact:</h3><h3><br></h3><h3>🌟 Innovative Product Strategy & Development: Driving Market Leadership I specialize in steering products from concept to market, aligning development initiatives with consumer trends to secure significant revenue growth and brand expansion. My approach combines creative vision with strategic market analysis to ensure our products not only meet but set new standards in design and functionality.</h3><h3><br></h3><h3>✔️ Spearheaded the launch of 8+ innovative collections annually, propelling annual revenue from $2M to $12M. 🔍 Creative Vision & Design Execution: Setting Industry Trends With a keen eye for detail, I lead design teams in creating products that resonate with our target demographics. By pioneering trends, such as the market-leading jogger pant, I've positioned our brand at the forefront of the fashion industry, enhancing recognition and sales.</h3><h3><br></h3><h3>✔️ Featured in Complex Magazine for developing the 'Best Raw Denim Jeans,'. 💼 Global Brand Expansion & Strategic Partnerships: Crafting a Worldwide Presence Understanding the global landscape, I drive brand expansion by adapting our products and strategies to fit local consumer trends, significantly increasing our market footprint and establishing robust distributor partnerships across continents.</h3><h3><br></h3><h3>✔️ Led global brand expansion into Canada, Australia, Japan, and Mexico through strategic product adaptation and partnerships. 📈 Operational Excellence & Efficiency: Enhancing Production and Time-to-Market By streamlining production processes and enhancing communication with manufacturing partners, I've successfully reduced sampling times by 50% and accelerated our time-to-market, proving that efficiency and creativity can coexist in harmony.</h3><h3><br></h3><h3>✔️ Implemented optimizations that resulted in faster product launches and reduced costs, without compromising on quality. Join me in redefining the boundaries of product development and design, where strategic foresight meets creativity. Together, let’s create products that not only lead the market but also leave a lasting impact on consumers. Connect with me to explore how we can elevate your brand through innovative product strategies and design excellence: jason.ahn7@icloud.com</h3>

Trajectory

Oct 2012 — Now

Head of Product and Design · Kennedy Mfg. Company

Here, I led the end-to-end process of product development and design, from ideation through market launch. This role involved spearheading cross-functional teams to create innovative men's wear collections that aligned with emerging fashion trends and market demands, while also maintaining a consistent brand identity across all marketing platforms. By delivering trendsetting designs at competitive prices, we managed inventory to maximize shelf presence effectively and aligned our product offerings with retailer and consumer expectations. This strategic approach not only solidified our market position but also contributed to substantial brand growth — redefining the US retail landscape for men’s bottoms. Another milestone was the reduction of production costs by 20%. This was accomplished through meticulous optimization of fabric sourcing, garment construction processes, and the implementation of stringent quality control measures. By negotiating more favorable terms with our sourcing and manufacturing partners, we enhanced profitability while maintaining the high quality our brand is known for. I was instrumental in driving the brand's strategic direction and identity, leading a team of seven designers. We ensured our product aesthetics resonated with our target market, maintaining a cohesive and resonant brand image. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: - Led brand and product campaigns, overseeing photoshoots to unify brand messaging online and enhance visibility. - Built strong vendor relationships to guarantee product quality and reliability, ensuring high production standards. - Cultivated a culture of innovation and excellence in design teams through leadership and collaborative practices. Key Skills: Strategic Planning & Vision, Creative Direction & Design Leadership, Cost Reduction & Efficiency Optimization, Brand Strategy Development, Product Positioning, Quality Assurance & Control Measures, Campaign Direction & Brand Messaging, Continuous Process Improvement

Oct 2008 — Oct 2012

Director of Merchandising and Product Design · GRAMERCY DENIM

Over here, I led the vision and execution of a men's apparel line, from initial concept to market launch. My leadership focused on premium quality, innovative designs, and aligning product development with emerging market trends, significantly enhancing brand identity and ensuring cohesive visual communication. My strategic focus on diversification and expansion was pivotal in quadrupling brand revenue from $2M to $8M within a single year. By targeting the unmet needs for edgy, affordable men's fashion through in-depth market and customer research, we captured a substantial market share and established a strong brand presence. I led the enhancement of product quality and customer satisfaction by refining our denim's fit, wash, and trim. Through iterative design and rigorous testing combined with strategic sourcing and negotiations, we achieved luxury brand aesthetics at reduced costs. This not only boosted our brand's competitiveness but also filled a crucial market gap by offering high-quality products at affordable prices. Leveraging seasonal market research and consumer insights allowed us to introduce innovative variations of best-selling silhouettes. This strategic move increased our retail shelf space and bolstered retailer confidence, contributing significantly to sales and brand growth. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: - Implemented a dynamic pricing strategy, improving margins through detailed cost analysis and strategic negotiations. - Optimized pre-production, enhancing efficiency and ensuring on-time delivery via improved supplier communication and guidelines. - Secured premium materials at reduced costs through strategic supplier partnerships, enabling high-quality, affordable products. - Established a cohesive brand identity, enhancing market presence and appeal with a unified logo, typeface, and packaging design.

Jan 2002 — Jan 2008

Graphic Designer/Merchandiser · Crown Collective and Urban Factory Outlet