Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Software
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Francesco Di Santo

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 -

Modeschule Metzingen, Metzingen, Germany
09.2006 - 2008.07
  • 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

Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG, Kirchentellinsfurt, Germany
09.2002 - 2005.07
  • 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

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Software

Adobe Illustrator

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 - 2008.07
Shipping and Logistics Employees - Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG
11.2005 - 11.2007
Einhorn Mode Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG - Tailor, Tailoring
09.2002 - 2005.07
Francesco Di SantoProduct Manager & Designer