Experience
Founder - The Consultancy KTCHN
July 2023 - Present - Budapest, Hungary · Remote
The Consultancy KTCHN is a Dublin-based consultancy on a mission to help small to mid-sized companies in the sporting goods apparel industry achieve their goals.
Specialising in performance and sportswear apparel, we work with small businesses and start-ups to create tailored solutions to fit your specific needs, reduce complexity, and create clarity within the end-to-end product creation process.
We provide personalised attention to our clients, crafting tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. Our team will work closely with you to understand your business goals and develop strategies that drive success. With our strategic approach, we help businesses achieve their goals.
Specialising in performance and sportswear apparel, we work with small businesses and start-ups to create tailored solutions to fit your specific needs, reduce complexity, and create clarity within the end-to-end product creation process.
We provide personalised attention to our clients, crafting tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. Our team will work closely with you to understand your business goals and develop strategies that drive success. With our strategic approach, we help businesses achieve their goals.
Innovation Director - Horseware Ireland
Jul 2022 - Jun 2023 -Dundalk/ Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland · Hybrid
Horseware Ireland is an established global leader in the equestrian goods sector, focusing on Horse Rugs, Equestrian Apparel and Equine accessories with a mission to make life better for the horse and Rider.
Mentored and grew the Product and Innovation team of 8 members, overseeing design, product development, materials, and product testing across all categories.
Implemented an efficient innovation and development process resulting in short-term and long-term product strategy roadmaps, seasonal product briefs, design concepts, and product positioning, focusing on bringing consumer-led seasonal stories to life, ensuring on-time delivery for GTM launch and production.
Orchestrated seasonal range planning, storytelling, design, development and testing plans, ensuring delivery success to market launch and production for complete equine product ranges. Managing 300 styles / 1800 SKUs / season.
Orchestrated seasonal range planning, storytelling, design, development and testing plans, ensuring delivery success to market launch and production for complete equine product ranges. Managing 300 styles / 1800 SKUs / season.
Restructured brand range architecture and product DNA, using consumer data analysis, insights, sales input, and market research to inform decision-making and reduce overall complexity. Creating straightforward product positioning benefits for customers and the sales team.
Achieved target of €1.5mil in late add generated revenue for in season creation AW23 and €5mil, in forecasted revenue for SS24 season.
Streamlined product range complexity and ensured alignment with margin and cost targets. Resulting in a cost saving of €100K.
Led prioritisation of sustainability, REACH compliance, workmanship quality, and testing procedures to ensure compliance with EU regulations.
The product team Revive Rug concept was selected as a winner of the Spoga Horse Top Innovations Award for 2024.
Head of Product and Design Head of Product and Design - Gym+Coffee
Aug 2021 - Apr 2022 - Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland · Hybrid
Gym+Coffee is a 6-year-old Irish Athleisure start-up focusing on building a community around their motto of Make Life Richer.
As a member of the Senior Leadership team, I was responsible for the growth and leadership of the Product and Design team, consisting of 13 members, four direct Reports from Design, Development, Buying and Merchandising.
Established and implemented clear product identity while streamlining the end-to-end product creation process and product strategy in alignment with key organisational stakeholders.
Overhauled Design and Development functions to create a new standard of product excellence, focusing on re-calibrating fit and inclusive sizing to align with industry and consumer expectations.Gym+Coffee is a 6-year-old Irish Athleisure start-up focusing on building a community around their motto of Make Life Richer.
As a member of the Senior Leadership team, I was responsible for the growth and leadership of the Product and Design team, consisting of 13 members, four direct Reports from Design, Development, Buying and Merchandising.
Established and implemented clear product identity while streamlining the end-to-end product creation process and product strategy in alignment with key organisational stakeholders.
Overhauled Design and Development functions to create a new standard of product excellence, focusing on re-calibrating fit and inclusive sizing to align with industry and consumer expectations.Gym+Coffee is a 6-year-old Irish Athleisure start-up focusing on building a community around their motto of Make Life Richer.
As a member of the Senior Leadership team, I was responsible for the growth and leadership of the Product and Design team, consisting of 13 members, four direct Reports from Design, Development, Buying and Merchandising. Established and implemented clear product identity while streamlining the end-to-end product creation process and product strategy in alignment with stakeholders.
Overhauled Design and Development functions to create a new standard of product excellence, focusing on re-calibrating fit and inclusive sizing to align with industry and consumer expectations.
Founder - Courtney's Kitchen
Oct 2018 - Aug 2021 - Fürth, Germany
Founded Courtney's Kitchen, a small-batch handmade granola company focusing on a better breakfast using gluten-free, organic, and unrefined ingredients, based out of Germany, selling exclusively to the German market.
Built the brand from scratch, managing production, costing, and sourcing.
Launched a D2C website, managing SEO, sales, distribution, email marketing, product copy, and customer service.
Created and executed all recipes, branding and packing design, including fonts, labelling, brand identity, photography and art direction for social media and website.
Grew the national consumer base, increasing sales by 60% in year 3.
Various Roles - Adidas
Jan 2008 - June 2021 - Herzogenaurach, Germany and Portland, Oregon, USA
Senior Manager Advanced Concepts.
Aug 2018 - Jun 21 - Herzogenaruach, Germany
Sr. Product Marketing Role where I managed advanced concept product creation on a 48-month timeline using athlete-centric consumer insights to create product briefs and storytelling for inline footwear and apparel business units.
Successful concepts onboarded to the inline Tennis BU include the adizero Cybersonic Tennis shoe.
Facilitated strategy for apparel innovation covering all sports categories, fostering cross-functional collaboration focusing on sustainable material innovation.Product Marketing Role where I managed advanced concept product creation on a 48-month timeline using athlete-centric consumer insights to create product briefs and storytelling for inline footwear and apparel business units. Successful concepts onboarded to the inline Tennis BU include the adizero Cybersonic Tennis shoe. Facilitated strategy for apparel innovation covering all sports categories, fostering cross-functional collaboration focusing on sustainable material innovation.
Successful concepts onboarded to the inline Tennis BU include the adizero Cybersonic Tennis shoe.
Facilitated strategy for apparel innovation covering all sports categories, fostering cross-functional collaboration focusing on sustainable material innovation.Product Marketing Role where I managed advanced concept product creation on a 48-month timeline using athlete-centric consumer insights to create product briefs and storytelling for inline footwear and apparel business units. Successful concepts onboarded to the inline Tennis BU include the adizero Cybersonic Tennis shoe. Facilitated strategy for apparel innovation covering all sports categories, fostering cross-functional collaboration focusing on sustainable material innovation.
Senior Manager Futures Running
Jan 2018 - Aug 2018 - Herzogenaruach, Germany
Sr. Footwear Product Marketing Role with a focus on Future Innovation Project Management and long-term product development with a focus on consumer insights and storytelling for Inline Running BU.
Coordinated with the Adidas future engineering Boost team and Futures design team to onboard and develop a new footwear concept for the Running BU, leading to the successful launch of the Jetboost Run and Lifestyle franchises.Sr. Footwear Product Marketing Role with a focus on Future Innovation Project Management and long-term product development with a focus on consumer insights and storytelling for Inline Running BU. Coordinated with the Adidas future engineering Boost team and Futures design team to onboard and develop a new footwear concept for the Running BU, leading to the successful launch of the Jetboost Run and Lifestyle franchises.
Coordinated with the Adidas future engineering Boost team and Futures design team to onboard and develop a new footwear concept for the Running BU, leading to the successful launch of the Jetboost Run and Lifestyle franchises.Sr. Footwear Product Marketing Role with a focus on Future Innovation Project Management and long-term product development with a focus on consumer insights and storytelling for Inline Running BU. Coordinated with the Adidas future engineering Boost team and Futures design team to onboard and develop a new footwear concept for the Running BU, leading to the successful launch of the Jetboost Run and Lifestyle franchises.
Design Director - Men's Training Apparel - Global Training
May 2015 - Dec 2017 - Herzogenaruach, Germany
Spearheaded and implemented global seasonal design direction and storytelling for Men's Training performance apparel in partnership with BU training leads, growing product category through the implementation of franchises with a focus on consumers using fit, function and movement.
Collaborated with both external partners and internal cross-functional counterparts across all business functions to ensure efficiency in the process and a holistic approach to seasonal briefings, colour, materials, graphics and product creations.Global Design Director Men's Training Apparel. Spearheaded and implemented global seasonal design direction and storytelling for Men's Training performance apparel in partnership with BU training leads, growing product category through the implementation of franchises with a focus on consumers using fit, function and movement. Collaborated with both external partners and internal cross-functional counterparts across all business functions to ensure efficiency in the process and a holistic approach to seasonal briefings, colour, materials, graphics and product creations.
Spearheaded and implemented global seasonal design direction and storytelling for Men's Training performance apparel in partnership with BU training leads, growing product category through the implementation of franchises with a focus on consumers using fit, function and movement.
Collaborated with both external partners and internal cross-functional counterparts across all business functions to ensure efficiency in the process and a holistic approach to seasonal briefings, colour, materials, graphics and product creations.Global Design Director Men's Training Apparel. Spearheaded and implemented global seasonal design direction and storytelling for Men's Training performance apparel in partnership with BU training leads, growing product category through the implementation of franchises with a focus on consumers using fit, function and movement. Collaborated with both external partners and internal cross-functional counterparts across all business functions to ensure efficiency in the process and a holistic approach to seasonal briefings, colour, materials, graphics and product creations.
Team lead for Team Sports - Specialty/ Regional Sports and Olympic Events
Feb 2013 - May 2015 - Herzogenaruach, Germany
Promoted to the role of Director after shaping visual design direction and successful execution for the Adidas Heartbeat Sports team with a focus on the 2016 Rio Olympics on-field, global team wear and specialist sports performance apparel.
Grew and mentored a team of eight consisting of 4 designers, two graphic designers and two interns overseeing product creation for a variety of sports, including Rugby, Cycling, Volleyball, Handball, Cross-Country Ski, Field Hockey, Badminton, Table Tennis and Cricket, with a bi-annual focus on Olympic events including Olympic Weight Lifting, Wrestling, Boxing and Winter Sports.Team lead for Team Sports - Specialty/ Regional Sports and Olympic Events Promoted to the role of Director after shaping visual design direction and successful execution for the Adidas Heartbeat Sports team with a focus on the 2016 Rio Olympics on-field, global team wear and specialist sports performance apparel. Grew and mentored a team of eight consisting of 4 designers, two graphic designers and two interns overseeing product creation for a variety of sports, including Rugby, Cycling, Volleyball, Handball, Cross-Country Ski, Field Hockey, Badminton, Table Tennis and Cricket, with a bi-annual focus on Olympic events including Olympic Weight Lifting, Wrestling, Boxing and Winter Sports.
Senior Designer - Global Running
Jan 2009 - Feb 2013 - Herzogenaruach, Germany / Portland, OR USA
Senior Designer for Global Running Apparel focusing on Men's and Women's running apparel. Spearheaded the onboarding and final design for the Climachill brand concept, creating the visual direction and identity for the SS14 season. Orchestrating cross-functional collaboration and presentations to establish a clear product strategy to be shared across all sports BUs.Senior Designer for Global Running Apparel with a focus on Men's and Women's running apparel. Spearheaded the onboarding and final design for the Climachill brand concept, creating the visual direction and identity for the SS14 season. Orchestrating cross-functional collaboration and presentations to establish a clear product strategy to be shared across all sports BUs.
Sr. Designer - Women's training
Jan 2008 - Jan 2009 - Portland OR, USA
Designer II - Starter Brand - Exeter Brands Group (Nike Subsidiary)
Jun 2007 - Dec 2007 - New York, New York, USA
Designer Men's training
Activewear Designer - Energie Division - Jones Apparel Group
Feb 2007 - Jun 2007 - - New York, New York, USA
Designer - Fila
Feb 2005 - Feb 2007 - New York, New York, USA
Designed Women's training/ fitness, Men's training, Men's and Women's running.Designed Women's training/ fitness, Men's training, Men's and Women's running.
Associate Designer - Newport News Inc.
2003 - 2005 - New York, New York, United States
Vendor Liaison for Contempo Limited - QVC
Oct 2002 - Jul 2003 - West Chester, PA, USA
Worked as liaison between QVC's marketing and design team and Contempo's HK office.Worked as liaison between QVC's marketing and design team and Contempo's HK office.