# Erin Fichter > Product Development Management & Design Location: Castro Valley, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/erinfichter Seasoned Director of Design & Product Development with 13+ years of experience driving creative strategy and product innovation across home goods, tools, bespoke fashion, activewear, and performance wear. Passionate about crafting functional, purpose-driven designs that evolve with customer needs and strengthen brand identity. A collaborative and visionary leader, I excel in mentoring design and product development teams, fostering talent growth, and delivering high-quality, market-leading products. Known for my ability to bridge creativity with strategy, I work closely with C-suite executives and cross-functional teams to drive groundbreaking projects that generate revenue growth and elevate customer engagement. As the go-to problem solver, I bring a unique blend of expertise, combining hands-on skills as a seamstress, pattern drafter, and materials expert with deep knowledge of apparel and home goods production. My adaptability and diverse background allow me to create innovative, on-brand products that balance beauty, efficiency, and market relevance. Skills: Design | CAD | Product Development | Production Management | Project Management | Graphic Design | Licensing | Techpacks | Illustrator | Photoshop | BOM | PLM | Excel | Google Sheets | Technical Design | Pattern Drafting | Draping | Machine Sewing | Leadership | Quick Learner ## Work Experience ### Design Development and Marketing @ Indepent Contractor Jan 2022 – Present | United States Independent Contractor | Market Strategy, Product Design & Retail Planning * Provide market research, analytics, and category strategy for private and pivot-stage companies developing programs for major big-box retailers * Lead creative and category strategy for Inline Party programs designed to scale into front-of-store retail environments * Translate vendor vision into guest-centric product and design direction across bags, wrap, tissue, stationery, party favors, and curated party collections * Identify white-space opportunities and viral-potential concepts through trend analysis, competitive audits, and consumer behavior insights * Collaborate cross-functionally with founders, merchants, product teams, and global factories to deliver fully packaged, retail-ready assortments * Align creative ambition with pricing architecture, SKU planning, margin targets, and retail execution constraints ### Designer @ SportPet Designs, Inc. Jan 2025 – Jan 2025 | San Francisco Bay Area * Owned end-to-end product development for pet harnesses, collars, leashes, and apparel across Walmart, Target, TJX and Ross * Reduced factory revisions 25% and improved approval timelines 30%. * Supported multi-million-dollar wholesale programs through forecast-driven SKU planning. * Created detailed line pass notes to build technical packs for factory handoff ensuring design details pass in quality testing for animal safety. Brand Portfolio: SportPet® | Kitty City® | Jupiter® | Chew King® | Harry Barker® | Mission Pets® | Mammoth Pet Products® ### Product Developer @ Dragonfly Jan 2022 – Jan 2024 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States * Lead comprehensive product research identifying trademarks, patents, and market dynamics to ensure optimal value, quality and quantity within a 3-month pitch-to-launch timeframe. * Successfully launched an average of 100 products annually on E-Commerce platforms (Amazon, Shopify, Wayfair) and Retail (Wal-Mart), contributing to a $2M year-over-year growth in divisional brand profit. * Produced CAD designs for mold development and provided master art files for product graphic assets to factories, facilitating efficient creative communication across internal brands and for mass production. * Managed product testing process, including requesting and testing factory samples, communicating purchase order decisions and ensuring compliance with various tests (food safety, Prop 65, TRA). * Oversaw new product setups, collaborating with various teams and determining product branding. Also collaborated during Target HUB pitches to ensure a clear understanding of the product scope. * Improved communication within internal teams as a creative editor by refining listing copies, content, and product packaging to enhance user experience and appeal, aligning with customer expectations and aesthetic preferences. * Uploaded all necessary assets for new product listings on Amazon, including keywords, PDPs, and copy. * * Obtained SDS documents as needed. * Approved final production photos, quality check reports, and advised on shipping and photography plans. Ensured Target HUB accurately reflected launch data and final ROI, co-leading and documenting Post Launch Performance Reviews for continuous improvement. ### Product Developer @ Dolls Kill Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 * Worked closely with designers and Licensing Collaborations to produce desired product. * Spearheaded market research, Pre resourcing with vendors, trend reports and analyzed previous production for all development. * Created and managed Tech Packs sent to overseas vendors for all Home good products. * Oversaw all comments for protos from design to website launch, aiding in organizing the warehouse and * Copy information for the website. * Negotiated costing and units, defining packaging and shipping to track landed costs for each product. ### Design & Development Associate @ Byer California Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Bay Area · Collaborate with Design and Sales Director exchanging ideas and develop on-brand and trend-right product assortment. · Executing monthly markets with technical packages in PLM and EBS, creating flat sketches and communicating with technical design basic blocks, specs, fabrication and trims. · Closely working with domestic and overseas vendors to develop trims, fabrications, prints, and accessories based on season and color pallet. · Organizing and overseeing teams for production, managing schedules, preparing costing, fittings and component preparation. ### Product Development Assistant @ Byer California Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area · Support Design team and oversee technical packs and communications with cost analysis reports, trim detail information and fabric vendors. · Intermediary for fit process to guide garments from market into production upholding brand standards for fit, aesthetic and achievable production execution. · Organizing fabric order requests, print specifications and color approvals, approving strike off lab dips, and color matching between all components. · Communicating production schedules among ongoing deliveries through multi payer teams in-house, domestic and with import teams. ### Owner/ Lead Artist @ Hair and Makeup by Erin Fichter Jan 2006 – Jan 2020 | Northern California, Bay Area · LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST · Hair and makeup stylist for photo shoots, editorial and special events, fashion and performance art and runway. · Created an education platform for individuals to learn basic or specific hair and makeup techniques to aid in lifestyle, event or career. · Researched and sourced all materials and techniques based on hypoallergenic cosmetics and enhancing natural beauty · Provided House Call service for families, hair cuts, coloring and highlights, allowing parents to avoid paying extra for a sitter and more time efficient with busy family schedules. · Volunteer Hair and Makeup styling for various fashion shoots and shows for charity around San Francisco Bay Area. ### Production Manager/ Creative Services @ JAKE Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | 619 Sansome St. San Francisco, Ca · Collaborated with Creative Director and Design to create mini collections of bespoke suiting, gowns and contemporary sportswear for men and women through trend research; street, runway and market. · Managed sportswear production with a local factory and an in-house sewing studio as well as ordered fabrications and notions from vendors for all projects. · Head of Bespoke client appointments, model fittings and custom wear leading a small team for construction, alterations and patterning. · Documented and tracked the development process with weekly status and production budget updates through Excel, also implementing a production and client schedule. ### Designer/ Seamstress @ ERIN FICHTER DESIGNS Jan 2013 – Jan 2017 | San Francisco Bay Area · Worked one on one with individual female clients to create desired garments from ready to wear, special events and costumes for all ages. · Managed budget, timelines, sourcing, making, fittings and shipping. · Administer proper techniques for desired use of garment. · Meeting client expectations, price point and deadlines ### Creative Director/ Maker @ Warrior Within Designs Jan 2012 – Jan 2016 | San Fransisco, Bay Area · Worked closely with owners to expand small festival-wear line, evolving the brand broadening clientele, and creating a larger variety of inventory. · Collaborated with owner for new designs, provided sketches, patterning, managed all fittings and provided production sew by samples. · Managed pattern and fabric hand off with local factory and all in-house textile and related supply inventory. · Liaison with private artist and clients to create mini fusion collections with Warrior Within for retail and events ### Production Manager @ Jammin On Inc. Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 | Novato, Ca · Created a small production line of White Basic pieces used as a canvas for an in-house production line showcasing tie dye for retail and charity events. · Created walking art on garments by working closely with artist to transfer their vision onto garments through placement printing on a Dye Sublimation machine. · Managed warehouse and a small studio team through the print process and production. Organizing, tacking and tagging fabrics for print and production. · Created monthly customer independent artist and market analytics with trend reports to expand brand and collaboration opportunities ## Education ### Associate of Arts (AA) in Fashion Design FIDM ### Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies Diablo Valley College ### Licentiate degree in Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General Paris Beauty College ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/erin-fichter-0448a754 - Website: https://www.erinfichterfashionportfolio.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/erinfichter JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/erinfichter/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-05