Sarah Hunt

Purchasing and quality control of all required materials Preparation of product specifications for manufacture

Managed the development and sealing of bulk production with supply base for products including ready made and made to measure curtains and blinds, curtain poles and tracks, wallpaper, decorative accessories and lighting.

Appointed to oversee the transition of business from Delbanco Meyer & Co Ltd

Appointed to head up commercial relationships and product quality for key accounts in addition to technical responsibilities (2013). Maximised profitability and turnover for product range with key accounts Laura Ashley (£3.4m), House of Fraser (£1.2m), Next, BHS, Cargo and QVC. Liaised with sales and design teams to develop bed linen ranges for UK retailers and brands: John Lewis, Laura Ashley, Dreams, Clarissa Hulse, Margo Selby, Ted Baker and Collier Campbell. Developed cost control to ensure benchmarking across the supply base for printed, embellished, jacquard, semi-plain and plain dye bed linen, towels, quilts & pillows. Introduced strategic buying procedures including open costings to allow easy comparison of factory material and embellishment costs in order to negotiate best costs. Visited factories in China, Bangladesh & Turkey and Heimtex trade fair in Frankfurt in order to build factory relationships. Critical path management during product development and bulk production to ensure development samples on time for customer selection meetings and ready for product launch on time. Carried out cost negotiations with factories to maximise profitability. Prepared and delivered budgets for product ranges within home textiles.

Buying, merchandising and packaging development of product for Marks & Spencer and Laura Ashley. Negotiation of product specifications with manufacturers to achieve retailer's design, technical and target cost requirements. Managed customer commitments to excess stocks and fabric holdings to minimise wastage at factory. Lead and trained other members of the merchandise team. Order placement with factory and close liaison with QC department to ensure achievement of required critical path. China factory visits to develop working partnerships and ensure highest level of quality and service achieved, cost negotiation and monitor production. Regular liaison with factories in China, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Managed product sealing, technical bulk submissions and packaging development for Marks & Spencer's and Laura Ashley. Maintenance of customer systems: Contracts.com, In Plans and seasonal progress charts.

Managed bulk orders of polyester and silk fabrics for delivery to garment makers on behalf of UK retailers of Ladieswear and Menswear including Next, Fenn Wright & Manson, Jigsaw, Monsoon, AIS, French Connection and Dewhirst Corporate wear. Liaison with factories and retailers to meet required critical path and technical standards. Co-ordinated Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter fabric ranges for promotion at Premier Vision. Training of staff in Hong Kong office and implementation of standardised procedures.