Dr Jo Conlon

Experience

• 

  Courtaulds Textiles

  Sept 1991 - Dec 1994

  The main focus of this role was the development and delivery of innovative products through offshore suppliers in China, Thailand and Portugal. I worked with the design team to create products in the product categories of bedding, kitchenware, blankets and cushions. I conducted risk assessments of prototypes, developed product specifications through technical liaison with M&S, raised purchase orders and agreed quality standards and delivery schedules. My role initially involved introduction of JIT (just-in-time) manufacturing including establishing appropriate task breakdown, machinery requirements and training of machinists in small team-working from piece work. I was then appointed at Production Control Manager with responsibility for the stock and delivery schedules for fabric and trims and the cutting programme supplying three UK sewing units. The factory operated at over 95% efficiency.

  • Product Engineer (Offshore Products)

    Jun 1993 - Dec 1994

  • Graduate Trainee: Industrial Engineer then Production Control Manager

    Sept 1991 - Jun 1993
• 

  S R Gent

  Jan 1994 - Jan 2005

  Technical Manager

  S.R. Gent was a dynamic, product-led full-service vendor of innovative clothing (childrenswear, womenswear and menswear) to Marks and Spencer. The company was a pioneer of sourcing fabric and clothing globally and an early adopter of technology (CAD / CAM, PDM and ERP) in support of emergent global partnerships and joint ventures. I worked across diverse product categories and gained an extensive experience of an information systems approach to global supply chain management. A main feature of the role was to collaborate to ensure products were sourced and manufactured in line with the critical path and to the quality, performance and ethical standards of the retailer. Many novel fabrics and technical processes were the basis of new product launches: woven cupro twill, garment dyed velvet, Malden Mills Polartec, hand block-printed Indian cottons and garment pleating. I supported the technical development of capsule collections in design collaborations with Blanc Bleu, Joseph, David Beckham and Timney Fowler. I also worked in product development and technical liaison with Dunnes Stores, OshKosh B'gosh and Liberty. I travelled globally liaising with the design team, customer and supplier to develop new products, coordinating product trials, troubleshooting and solving production problems. This helped me to develop my technical knowledge and professional skills including building positive relationships, project management, negotiation and communication. These experiences in product innovation and operational excellence were highly motivating.As my career progressed, I also took greater responsibility for the management of the technical team. When the company closed in 2005, with an annual turnover in excess of £150 million, I had overall responsibility for sixteen M&S buying departments, the line management of three UK-based Product Developers, four UK Laboratory Technicians and three Production Technologists based in China, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Show less

• 

  Stirling

  Dec 2005 - Dec 2007

  Technical Manager

  I was offered the position as Technical Manager at the Stirling Group when S.R. Gent announced it had gone into administrative receivership. The company was a full-service vendor for Marks and Spencer, the John Lewis Partnership and the sportswear brand Umbro and my responsibilities involved product development and technical liaison with these retail brands. The company had well-established manufacturing routes in the near shore locations of Turkey and Morocco. The main aspect of this role was to establish a dual-sourcing route in India for core jersey fabrics. Show less

• 

  Crystal Martin International

  Dec 2007 - Mar 2009

  Senior Technologist

  The Crystal Group has established an industry leading position with global apparel brands, offering a diversified product portfolio from a multi-country manufacturing platform. They have an established reputation to launch new commercially successful products. I was asked to join the senior management team of the newly formed formal womenswear division within Crystal Martin UK; this division was established to design and manufacture products for Marks and Spencer. This division rapidly became the largest supplier of formal jersey tops. This success led to the re-launch of the dress department within M&S resulting in £10 million additional turnover for the division. I was responsible for identifying fabric trends and establishing credible sourcing routes for new fabrics and products Show less

• 

  The University of Huddersfield

  Mar 2009 - May 2019

  Senior Lecturer

  Since my appointment in 2009 I have been responsible for the development and delivery of fashion management and marketing modules within the Fashion Buying Management (BA Hons) programme. In 2016, the Fashion Business courses were re-validated and I took on responsibility for the course leadership of this new suite of programmes: International Fashion Buying Management, Fashion Brand Marketing and Creative Fashion Image. At undergraduate level, I am Module Leader for Fashion Practice, International Fashion Business with Finance and Final Major Project, I am also the Final Year Tutor. At postgraduate level, I contribute to the taught programme in the modules Mechanics of International Fashion Management and Strategic Issues in the Fashion Industry. I provide dissertation supervision for undergraduate and postgraduate students. I was part of the validation team for the M.A. International Fashion Management (Distance Learning) and undertook training for the facilitation of online learning.I have a strong interest in designing and developing innovative curricula and pedagogies to support learning and the professional development of graduates, developing these through internally and externally funded projects and industry contacts. I have established the first ever educational partnership for retail PLM. This has given our students an applied understanding of PLM as a strategic approach to product development, product marketing and management, digital asset management and performance measurement through collaboration within a system using a shared dynamic line sheet.My research has been informed by my career in industry and focuses on enabling digital technologies such as PLM, Industry 4.0, sustainability and the circular economy and innovative approaches to teaching these developments to students. My research in this area has resulted in publications and two funded projects with Innovate UK indicating the potential for further income generation. Show less

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  The University of Manchester

  Jun 2019 - now

  Teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate Fashion Business and Technology students.Specialist in digital technologies for the fashion industry and how they can enable change to develop sustainable fashion systems. Programme Director for the three postgraduate taught fashion business programmes Lecturer in Fashion Business in the School of Materials, Deputy Programme Director for PGT Studies. Teaches on the MSc fashion business programmes and part of the development team for MSc International Fashion Marketing (distance learning).

  • Senior Lecturer

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Lecturer

    Jun 2019 - Aug 2022