Emily Miller
Product Development + Design
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Hey There!
I’m so glad you’re here!
Thank you for having a look at my digital portfolio - I would love to tell you a little bit about me. A New Yorker at heart, I currently live in Dallas, TX with my husband and our pup.
I pride myself in having a macro & micro understanding of the product development process, and an interest in both the creative & the business aspects. With a BA in Marketing, a Digital Design minor, ten years of experience in the product development field, and a passion for product, I find great joy in getting to collaborate with businesses, brands & other creatives. I love any opportunity where I get to apply my skills to help businesses maximize their impact and connect with their consumer in a more meaningful way.
I’ve developed a muscle for best practices, planning & organization, and troubleshooting issues. I believe the best outcomes are rooted in collaboration & simplicity -- and that inspiration comes from everywhere.
Thanks again for checking out my portfolio - please feel free to contact me!
Work Experience
Cre8 Direct
Irving, TX
February 2021 - Present
Self Employed
Irving, TX
April 2019 - February 2021
Product Development Manager
Promoted from Associate Product Development Manager in January 2022, taking ownership of developing key programs in stationery and desk supply categories for several national retailers.
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Curates market research presentations used to incorporate relevant trends and inspiration into our in-line & seasonal collections.
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Manages product development lifecycle from concept phase, to sampling, through to pre-production sample approvals, with a focus on trend-right product, speed to market, and quality assurance.
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Works in partnership with US team and overseas colleagues to develop strategic market plans and define white space opportunities.
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Analyzes sales information to incorporate data-driven strategy into our product line.
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Manages development calendar to track efficiency of each development phase so that goaled deliveries are met.
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Oversees project management log and follow-up.
Designer
Launched an independent, direct-to-consumer motivational stationery and desk accessory brand from concept to completion.
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Managed all aspects of operations and development, including product design, packaging, digital marketing, website development, supplier sourcing, product pricing, sampling, and product testing.
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Identified and analyzed industry trends to optimize marketing & increase brand awareness.
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Sourced factories for product and packaging, while cultivating partnerships with vendors.
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Lead the design, creation, and implementation of strategic digital marketing initiatives through various social media platforms.
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Designed an online shop and created an interactive digital community experience to maximize customer engagement and increase new customer acquisition.
Bioworld Merchandising
Irving, TX
April 2019 - February 2021
Product Developer, Footwear
Supported innovation in the footwear department through building relationships & improving communication between licensing, sales, overseas teams, and factory vendors. Studied cross-category KPIs to streamline business processes and increase profitability. Organized thorough presentations to translate market research data across multiple product lines.
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Streamlined material and component pricing information to ensure collections were developed within quality & pricing guidelines.
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Cultivated relationships with factories, ensuring all development, communication, and production elements were aligned with company standards and timelines.
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Traveled overseas to strengthen vendor relationships, source new factories, and procure materials for new product categories.
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Supported product development teams to leverage advanced sampling processes and systems.
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Aligned corporate standards and monitored profitability within production, meeting with vendors in China to review development and source new materials.
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Collaborated with licensing and sales teams to optimize the product development lifecycle.
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Initiated market research to define opportunities for continuous improvement and growth across multiple retail channels.
The RFA Group
New York, NY
August 2013 - August 2016
Product Development Director, Footwear
Rapidly promoted from a Junior Designer and Executive Merchandiser to the Product Development Director. Led design team in the creation of seasonal footwear collections for licensed and private label assortments. Fostered relationships with major national retailers, driving strategic partnerships and improving overall corporate profitability. Collaborated with vendors & partners in China to improve development processes.
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Performed market research to define opportunity and white space within multiple channels of retail. Responsible for organizing and presenting relative findings to the team & giving direction on applicable trends.
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Partnered with colleagues in China and assisted in the setup of an overseas office.
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Planned and executed development trips to improve vendor relationships with factories spanning various locations in Asia.
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Collaborated closely with brand representatives to ensure product development accurately reflected brand identity, positioning, and quality.
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Facilitated all development instructions, sample follow-ups, and pricing logs to contribute to a well-priced & intentional product line.
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Built collaborative relationships with junior and senior designers to research, design, and develop seasonal footwear collections.
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Liaised with executive leadership to conduct research and present sales metrics that helped identify and target a more comprehensive customer base.
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Translated customer feedback and requests within the sales department to ensure continual improvement and growth.
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Created sales presentations to strategically target and appeal to seasonal collections with major national retailers, including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Kohl’s, DSW, Costco, and T.J. Maxx.
Additional Professional Experience
The Andrew Morgan Collection
New York, NY
July 2012 - August 2013
Buffalo David Bitton
New York, NY
Summer 2011
Marketing & Design Associate
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Strengthened client partnerships and relationship management strategies through company trade shows.
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Led creative processes to develop seasonal collections and marketing strategies, including the development of storyboards, color schemes, and line sheets.
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Partnered with the CEO to develop four new collection items, collaborating with vendors to identify new marketing channels and sales plans.
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Served as a liaison between accounting, logistics, sales, public relations, and customer service departments.
Merchandising Intern
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Supported daily operations and redesigned merchandise displays to promote consistent branding.
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Collaborated with department managers of major retailers, including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, and Bloomingdale’s, to minimize turnaround on merchandise delivery.
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Leveraged relationships with merchandising coordinators to cultivate an understanding of relative trends throughout various distribution channels.
Education
Quinnipiac University
School of Business
Hamden, CT
May 2012
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
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Minor in Interactive Digital Design
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Quinnipiac University, School of Business, Hamden, CT
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Study Abroad Program: University of Westminster, London, England
