Adobe Illustrator
Francesco Di Santo
Product Manager & Designer
Horb am Neckar
Summary
Product Manager & Designer
Specializing in Formal Wear and Knitwear.
- Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills
- Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy with excellent time management and problem-solving skills
- Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude
- Willing to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals
- Dedicated Fashion professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices
- Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand
- Motivated professional with extensive experience in product sales and distribution
- Expertise in management, marketing strategies and merchandising
- Diligent Product Manager offering 16 years of success in product roadmap development, market research and data analysis
- Highly skilled in identifying opportunities to maximize revenue
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
3
3
Certificates
4
4
Languages
Work History
Product Manager Knitwear, Shirts & Accessories
Digel AG
11.2021 - Current
- Creation of collections according to the specifications of the management (outer fabric and ingredient selection, model creation, sample reproduction, sample material, supplier selection, production)
- Attending international trade and fabric fairs
- Quality assurance (fit control, supplier management)
- Creation of the collection framework plan with detailed price range structure
- Collection handover to the sales agents and customers with reports and sales documents
- Collaboration on the marketing concept and the overall collection concept
- International supplier visits
- Outfit styling for photo shoots
- Improved product functionality with innovative design solutions, resulting in increased sales conversions
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget constraints
- Analyzed competitive landscapes to identify market opportunities, informing strategic business decisions
- Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop effective training materials that drove increased product knowledge among staff members, resulting in higher close rates
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and support teams to launch products on time and within budget
- Monitored market trends and competitor performance to update promotional strategies
- Set goals and formalized policies to maximize team performance and keep project on-task
- Developed product documentation to communicate upcoming features and products to internal teams
- Directed planning and budgeting efforts
- Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets
- Reduced production costs through strategic supplier negotiations and process improvements
Product Manager Formal Wear, Mix & Match, Trousers
Digel AG
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Increased product adoption by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget constraints.
- Managed full product lifecycle of 8-10 new Mix & Match Products per season, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop effective training materials that drove increased product knowledge among staff members, resulting in higher close rates.
- Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs.
- Directed planning and budgeting efforts.
- Presented compelling product demonstrations at industry conferences, garnering significant interest from potential customers and stakeholders alike
- Optimized product performance with data-driven analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
- Reduced production costs through strategic supplier negotiations and process improvements
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop effective training materials that drove increased product knowledge among staff members, resulting in higher close rates
- Analyzed competitive landscapes to identify market opportunities, informing strategic business decisions
- Managed stakeholder expectations effectively throughout the entire product development process
- Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs
- Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams
- Monitored market trends and competitor performance to update promotional strategies
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets
Ass. Product Manager Formal Wear & Mix & Match
Digel AG
06.2012 - 12.2017
- Assist in the development of product strategy
- Support with procurement and production
- Fabric sourcing: Visiting fabric fairs and pre-selecting suitable products for all collection
- Fabric collection: consolidation of the selection until the actual collection is determined, taking into account the requirements of the markets
- Creation of a model park for all collections
- Creating style and material combinations
- Creation of a style catalogue
- Consideration of the sensible production of salesman samples for showrooms and sales agents
- Assisted in establishing pricing strategies, ensuring competitiveness within the market while maintaining profitability goals
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors
- Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets, and product data sheets
Product Manager Day and Nightwear
Wünsche Group, Gebr. Huber GmbH & Co. KG
01.2010 - 05.2012
- Product support in operational purchasing from Egypt
- Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams.
- Checking the function and properties of all products
- Creation of calculations, preparation of offers and definition of the catalog of requirements
- Reduced production costs through strategic supplier negotiations and process improvements.
- Consulted with buyers to determine projected demand for products and services.
- Monitored market trends and competitor performance to update promotional strategies.
Junior Product Manager
Maier Sports GmbH & Co. KG
10.2008 - 09.2009
- Representing the company at trade fairs
- Supporting and design of individual and seasonal collection themes
- Analysis of trading needs in coordination with the Senior Product Manager
- Processing of collection parts in Koppermann TEX Design and TEX Define
- Improved product usability with thorough user testing and incorporating feedback into iterations.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and support teams to launch products on time and within budget.
Quality Assurance Team Lead
Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG
07.2007 - 08.2008
- Incoming goods inspection and quality inspection of finished goods
- Distribution of orders and monitoring of processes as well as allocation of human resources
- Led a team of QA professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
- Reduced production defects by identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Recorded, analyzed, and distributed statistical information.
- Monitored staff organization and suggested improvements to daily functionality.
Shipping and Logistics Employees
Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG
11.2005 - 11.2007
- Acceptance, picking and shipping of customer goods
- Deadline monitoring and coordination of deliveries
- Improved order processing speed by introducing barcode scanning technology into workflow process.
- Maintained positive relationships with representatives of UPS, FedEX, USPS, and DHL shipping companies.
Education
Master Women's And Men's Tailoring -
09.2006 - 07.2008
- Vocational and work education
- Sectional construction & Textile product knowledge
- Operational and manufacturing organization
- Economic Action & Accounting
- Draft drawing
- Legal and tax bases
- CAD clothing technology
- Completed professional development in Women's And Men's Tailoring
- Elected to Head Boy
Tailor - Tailoring
09.2002 - 07.2005
- Performed intricate hand-sewing tasks for delicate fabrics or detailed embellishments, showcasing specialized skills in garment construction.
- Maintained sewing machines and equipment, ensuring optimal performance for precise workmanship.
- Repaired garments and corrected construction mistakes.
- Created new garments based on established parameters or specific body measurements.
- Steamed and ironed fashion items in preparation for professional photo shoots.
Skills
Research and trend analysis
Teamwork and Collaboration
Interpersonal Communication
Product Lifecycle Management
Competitive Analysis
Strategic Planning
Customer training
Product Strategy
Product Development
Brand building
Cross Functional Leadership
Project Management
Budgeting
Team leading and managing
Software
MS Excel, Powerpoint, Word
Corel Draw
CAD Assyst Pattern making
Koppermann TEX Design, TEX Define
Müller & Sohn Pattern making
Certification
Koppermann TEX Design, TEX Define
Interests
Coocking
Travelling
Sports
Coffee
Timeline
Product Manager Knitwear, Shirts & Accessories - Digel AG
11.2021 - Current
Product Manager Formal Wear, Mix & Match, Trousers - Digel AG
01.2018 - 10.2021
Ass. Product Manager Formal Wear & Mix & Match - Digel AG
06.2012 - 12.2017
Product Manager Day and Nightwear - Wünsche Group, Gebr. Huber GmbH & Co. KG
01.2010 - 05.2012
Koppermann TEX Design, TEX Define
11-2008
Junior Product Manager - Maier Sports GmbH & Co. KG
10.2008 - 09.2009
Müller & Sohn Pattern making
07-2008
CAD Assyst Pattern making
01-2008
Quality Assurance Team Lead - Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG
07.2007 - 08.2008
Modeschule Metzingen - Master Women's And Men's Tailoring,
09.2006 - 07.2008
Shipping and Logistics Employees - Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG
11.2005 - 11.2007
Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG - Tailor, Tailoring
09.2002 - 07.2005