kristen@chandler5.com | 206.316.7805

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Summary of Qualifications

• Energetic team player that is passionate and dedicated to the brand. I believe in creating the best product for the customer that will empower the brand to shine.

• Professional Product Developer with over 15 years of experience on technical, hard-working, performance apparel.

• Initiates collaboration with all team members and vendor partners to make the best product in an efficient timeline while meeting target cost.

•     Able to manage the process from design brief through bulk production, and lead customer service prep meetings for new-line Q&A.

• Strong technical background, extremely proficient in Adobe Illustrator with ability to create 1st design sketches, manipulate design sketches and effectively communicate comments, pattern revisions, fit issues to factory engineers.

• Proficient in MS Suite Word, PowerPoint, Excel using formulas for graded measurements, and a detailed Bill of Materials that is aligned with technical specifications that includes a calculated F.O.B.

•     Trusted point of contact for product-related questions; known for attending trade shows, retail promotions and helping retail with fitting guides on waders.

• Proven experience driving the product innovation and creation process at market leading outdoor sporting goods brands with a history of award-winning products and long-lasting known products.

• Develop and maintain all product material details including new packaging, branding, hangtags, folding methods and written content to facilitate a full product story is delivered to the customer.

• Co-workers described me as the heart and soul of the brand.

 

Professional Experience

Filson                                                                                                                                         May 2025 – August 2025

Seattle WA

 

Product Engineer, Categories: Outerwear, Mens bottoms, and Insulation

Responsibilities

• Owned product development in Outerwear, Men’s bottoms, and Insulation categories from design handoff through production approval. Following and meeting calendar key dates.

• Created and maintained detailed tech packs, BOMs (YuniquePLM), and sample comments.

• Led fit sessions and managed communicated revisions to factory engineers for efficient sampling

• Resolved construction challenges through pattern and construction optimization.

• Partnered with factories and suppliers to meet cost targets and improve gross margin.

 

Nordstrom, INC                                                                                                                    March 2025 – May 2025

Seattle WA                                                                                                                              (Contracted)

 

Technical Designer Kids

Responsibilities

• Executed full technical designer process including specs, BOMs (FlexPLM), and fit documentation meeting key calendar dates.

• Owned fit sessions and grading for assigned kids categories

• Collaborated with factories to maintain timelines and ensure product quality

 

Grundéns USA                                                                                                                       November 2017 – January 2025

Poulsbo WA                                                                                                                            (Contracted while at SODO)

 

Product Development Manager, Specialty Projects

Responsibilities

• Senior product developer on technical outerwear, insulation, commercial fishing and fly categories.

• Created a detailed excel based bill of materials that include a calculated F.O.B. aligning with tech pack.

• Created fit block measurement specifications including grades for all apparel categories for development team to follow.

• Worked closely with factories, mills and trim suppliers to meet target cost, helping overall gross margin.        

• Excelled at finding the best pattern and construction solution effecting efficiency and yield, allowing the product to perform as the tool the customer needs.

• Excellent communication on prototype reviews helping guide offshore factory merchants and engineers for efficient sampling processes.

• Establish and maintained a strong bond with factory merchants, engineers, mills and trim suppliers to ensure quality product within the development calendar.

• Working with trim suppliers to create new trims as needed.

• Attend industry and other trade shows finding new materials and trims to source.

• Presented samples at milestone meetings.

• Continually worked with team to incorporate new processes geared toward company targeted goals, including efficiency in product process and factory, mill-based relationships.

• Created a field test database and thoughtful communication with testers to get best feedback. Our initiative was “fail fast” to get to the best product.

• Integrated with sales reps, retail partners, and customers when reviewing prototypes to help achieve the ultimate performing product.

• Passionate about serving hardworking anglers and building strong relationships between product developers and field professionals.

                  

Highlights

• Developed the Vector Full Zip stocking foot wader for 2025 with an award-winning design including a patented back storage pocket function.

• Established a strong relationship with field testers and factories resulting in an award-winning Gore-tex® Portal Wading Jacket for 2024. Jacket offers anglers best mobility with functional access pockets aligning with wader pockets.

• Managed Design and Development of the Grundéns Wader Category in 2023 with an expanded Gore-Tex® license. This project included 3 new waders incorporating:

  • Innovative leg pattern, recognized for best fitting waders and a cutting-edge suspension system.

  • Launching into fly fishing delivered $2.5m of incremental revenue in 2024.

  • Helped guide manufacturers to ensure best quality wader testing methods were in place.  

• Developed Grundéns first Gore-Tex® Outerwear collection for Fall 2019. Worked closely with Asia based factory to fast track the 3 sets (9 styles) of Sportfishing jackets and bibs.

• Led factory to create tote bags used from left over material from commercial fishing bibs.

• Helped with the transition of Grundéns’ supply chain from a Sourcing Agent relationship to an internally managed nominated vendor base with premium vendors located across Europe, Asia, and Southeast Asia.

 

 

Technical Designer/Product Developer – Apparel

SODO Apparel / A. Tiziano / Buff USA / Elizabeth Roberts

Independent Contractor                                                                                             June 2015 – April 2018

Seattle, WA

 

Responsibilities

• Collaborated with teams on design

• Sketched designs, Created and managed technical specifications and detailed Bill of Materials.

• Established grade and product measurements

• Performed fit sessions, prototype reviews and comments

• Communicated with mills and factories.

 

Highlights

• Built systems for start-up brands to operate design process efficiently.

• Helped Buff USA launch sun protection sleeves and laser holed balaclava.

• Cultivated prints and abstract designs using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for A. Tiziano.

 

 

Far Bank Enterprises: Redington Waders and Apparel

Product Development Manager/Designer                                                                       2011 - 2014

Bainbridge Island, WA

 

Responsibilities

• Product Development Manager for Redington Brand soft goods.

• Managed product from concept through to warranty.

• Designed and developed key apparel items to support he brand in specialty shops.

• Responsible for presenting products to the sales team.

• Effectively communicated sample reviews, product changes and all requirements of sampling process and timelines to manufacturers offshore and domestic.

• Managed and performed all development tasks. Design, Tech Packs, Bill of Materials, Prototype reviews, fitting, trim development.

• Established target cost with sales team and met best cost.

• Managed trade show booths

• Responsible for design of packaging, wader boxes, folding methods, hang tags and all labels.

• Created prints with mills and new trims.

• Worked on creating test methods for waders in the field.

• Created product development calendars.

• Executed all sample reviews in a timely manner. 

• Traveled to factories both domestic and offshore.

 

Highlights

• Designed and developed better fitting waders incorporating a new fabric technology.

• Established a women’s specific fit wader incorporating two different fit patterns to include all different body shapes.

• Implemented better processes for the design team.

  • Created an extensive tech pack including points of measurement or the wading category. 

  • Contributed to the pole category (ski + trekking) growth from ~$10M to ~$19M over the 2-year period of 2011 and 2012.

 

 

Independent Contractor

MelodiemillerLLC                                                                                                                                    1999 - 2006

Bainbridge Island, WA

 

Brands: Helly Hansen, Marmot, Eddie Bauer, Sierra Design, Fila, Toma, 3M Thinsulate Insulate,

Boulder Gear, Kelty, Seattle Cotton Works, Field & Stream, etc.

 

Responsibilities

• Lead team of 2 designers, 3 developers, 1 admin.

• Evaluated contracted project scope and calendar. Delegated team assignments and managed to completion. 

• Responsible for translating designs into sketches, technical sketches including prints and custom trims.

• Implemented color and did catalogue output for brands workbooks.

• Created Technical specifications and Bill of materials to meet each brands needs ranging from design sample specs to production.

• Managed fit sessions, product construction with factory pattern makers and engineers.

 

Highlights

• Designed and developed Marmots Precip jacket. A recognized core raincoat with longevity since 2000.

 

 

REI

Associate Designer                                                                                                                                     1994 - 1999

Seattle, WA

 

Responsibilities

• Grew my skills from an Apparel Design graduate to executing all aspects of Product Development.

• Worked on the full scale of products. Outerwear, Fleece, Insulation, Ski, Cycling, Rainwear and Base Layers.

• Started with becoming an expert at Adobe Illustrator/Aldus Macromedia sketching all current styles into computer generated sketches.

• Transitioned to the role of Size Run Specialist in charge of taking approved base size, grading to all sizes, approving fit of all sizes.

• Promoted to Associate Designer of Apparel, working with Designer on all technical outerwear designs.

• Responsible for presenting products to the sales team.

• Managed and performed all development tasks. Design, Tech Packs, Bill of Materials, Prototype reviews, fitting, trim development.

• Established target cost with sales team and met best cost.

• Managed trade show booths

• Responsible for design of packaging, wader boxes, folding methods, hang tags and all labels.

• Created prints with mills and new trims.

• Worked on creating test methods for waders in the field.

• Created product development calendars.

• Executed all sample reviews in a timely manner. 

• Traveled to factories both domestic and offshore.

 

Highlights

• Recognized as a fast learner with attention to details directing my skills towards the most technical gear.

• Awarded a transfer to Associate Designer of REI Hardgoods, including Tents, Packs and Sleeping Bags. This was due to flexibility in talent and able to work with challenging personalities.

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Education

       Associate of Applied Science in Apparel Design

                         School of Apparel Design and Development,

                         Seattle Central Community College

                         Seattle, WA

     

Community

      Chair of 501c3 Options Parent Group

• Elected Chair 2 years of N.K. School District Options K-8 educational program. Led board meetings and monthly meetings of 100 members. Built a working relationship with key officials, generated positive image of the program, produced enough growth to double in size.      

• Coordinated and managed K-8 grade Spring Camp. Involving 70 students and their families in a 3-day long destination-based camp. Managed master schedule, classes and meals along with communicating with school district meeting all policies and standards.