Yen Gao

Sourcing and Production Manager -- knits, 2011 –2014 Kohl’s Corporate ($18 Billion in retail sales with over 1,146 department stores) – Milwaukee, Wisconsin Recruited to build a strong production team for Kohl's private and exclusive brands of Croft and Barrow, Sonoma, Apt 9 and 212. Developed and implemented protocols and procedures from concept to deliver for brand centric production teams to focus on vendor matrix, cost reduction, speed to market, supply chain management, procurement and quality. Managed approximately $2.5Billion USD at retail across 4 Private and Exclusive brands, delivered over 100M units of knit product annually.  Built a production team from 4 to over 40 associates in 2 years  Collaborate with both internal and external resources and departments to drive new processes and alignment  Responsible for strategic sourcing, vendor matrix, production and risk management while executing the initiatives of the company  Cultivate long-term partnership with key mills and vendors to establish synergies in the supply chain to enable sustainability of cost and to ensure future growth  Work with cross functional partners in Merchandising, Product and Design to ensure efficiencies in the supply chain to achieve the IMU goals while deliver quality product.  Manage all aspects of the development, negotiation and execution of contracts with suppliers  Develop and mentor associates for succession planning and career path  Manage a team of 9 direct reports and report to VP of sourcing and production Key Achievements:  Lead change management with cross functional teams to create more effective and balanced organization structure  Lead team building process and developed training programs for new associates with “tool box”  Drive fabric first initiative and leverage among brands for flexibility and cost savings.  Develop Central America region for speed to market to react to chase business

Director of Global Sourcing 2007 – 2011 Sourcing Manager 2003 – 2007 Carter’s Inc. ($2.1B retail sales with over 400 specialty retail stores) – Atlanta, GA Lead a team of 14 associates managing Carter’s and Oshkosh Girl’s Playwear over 40% of Carter’s total sales. Responsibilities include developing and delivering over 7,000 styles and over 75 million units annually. Report directly to the VP of Sourcing. Selected by Carter’s leadership team to emerging leadership training program for succession plan of VP position  Drove the business by working closely with supply chain to maximize regional strengths to reduce cost and lead-times while taking advantages of Free Trade Agreements, economic indicators and shifts in paradigms  Managed Carter’s sourcing and production with sound strategic plan to mitigate risk and capitalize opportunities  Analyzed new sourcing opportunities globally to create a diverse vendor and manufacturing base  Provided mentoring, Individual Development Programs and succession planning for team with clear career path  Developed internal and agent staff processes to shorten development lead time.

Responsible for Hollister's woven product. Developed Global Sourcing Strategy to maximize IMU while maintaining high quality standards to maintain brand image. Intensive international travel to identify reliable production bases for proper products. Established and implemented short lead-time Time and Action calendar with design/merchant/tech team to accomplish fast turn business.

In charge of Express band in Mast Industry Guatemala office Provided end-to-end front line management and execution of daily business in Central America region. Actively researched and sourced quality oriented manufacturing facilities in the region. Coordinated fabric and trim availability and production capacity. Responsible for overseeing and managing Woven/Cut & Sew/Soft Dressing department, from development through adoption, order execution, delivery and price. Responsible for the sales strategy by volume, product mix and sell price by keeping current with competitors and exclusive services Mast Industries Inc. can offer. Prepared and presented analysis to senior management and provided sourcing and costing strategies.

Responsible for meeting corporate goals for securing profit margins and vendor capacity in the International division of Starter. Negotiated prices for the International lines and developed vendor placements. Reviewed production, evaluated factory management, and audited vendor procedures.

Managed import production , competitive pricing, quality and delivery, with a volume of $200 million. Maintained vendor partnerships with key overseas vendors, reserved raw materials and vendor production capacity. Created time and action calendars and monitored production activities.

Managed Macy Children's; Edison Brothers and Nulook men's suits product