Christina Sahakian

Senior Strategic Sourcing & Product Development Leader with 16 years of experience driving innovation and sustainability across complex product lifecycles in apparel, identifying and developing global supplier networks including mills, factories and chemical suppliers. Proven track record of building and executing end-to-end category sourcing strategies that drive cost reduction, speed to market, and sustainable supply chain growth. Adept at translating design intent and product specs into actionable sourcing decisions- from RFQ and factory qualification through vendor negotiation, costing, and on-time delivery.

Deep expertise in responsible sourcing, supplier diversification, and building scalable sourcing frameworks that future proof global supply chains. Known for blending strategic vision with hands-on execution to deliver high-quality, cost-engineered products that accelerate speed, agility, and operational excellence. Passionate about transforming ideas from concept to consumer by integrating data-driven insights, market trends, and sustainable practices in collaboration with product teams.

Motivated by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of learning, I bring a fresh, cross-industry perspective combined with deep expertise in sourcing, product innovation, operational efficiency, and technology. Eager to embrace new challenges where I can leverage my diverse experience to spark transformative growth and drive meaningful impact.

SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY LEAD - LEVI STRAUSS & CO, DOCKERS BRAND

(2019-02 - 2025-11)

• Owned and managed full product lifecycle management, sourcing strategy, and execution for 80% of the Dockers product line from concept through go-to-market execution, partnering with Design, Merchandising, and R&D to translate product vision into manufacturable, cost-efficient product without compromising product integrity.
• Led strategic sourcing and cost optimization initiatives, delivering consistent 3–6% year-over-year COGS reductions through structured vendor negotiations, cost-modeling, and strategic supplier consolidation.
• Led and executed category sourcing strategies, defining scope of work, specs, and sourcing parameters - ensuring supplier alignment from development through production.
• Identified, qualified, and supported onboarding of new vendors to expand innovation product offering.
• Led cross-functional innovation by aligning teams through data-informed research and collaborative ideation to guide recommendations, product integrity, and sourcing decisions.
• Cultivated and maintained strong global supplier partnerships to enable scalability & long-term brand growth.
• Implemented and operationalized digital tools (3D CLO, FlexPLM, internal costing tools, Miro) across Product Development, Design, and Vendor partners — supporting change management to drive adoption.
• Spearheaded development of consumer-facing QR code technology supporting Digital Product Passport (DPP) and transparency initiatives, demonstrating ability to lead digital transformation at scale.
• Defined and executed Sustainability and Innovation roadmaps, transitioning 40% of Dockers product portfolio to incorporate sustainable materials while preserving profitability through strategic partnerships with sourcing base.
• Established clear KPIs and performance metrics, fostering high-performing cross-functional collaboration and enhancing organizational alignment and execution outcomes.
• Optimized go-to-market strategies, streamlined timelines, and built scalable processes to enhance productivity — successfully launching innovation-driven products within accelerated 3-month development cycles.

SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPER - EXPRESS

(2013-09 - 2019-01)

• Managed end-to-end product development for 65% of seasonal line (1,500+ SKUs), overseeing development, and cross-functional execution (wovens, knit, denim, tailored, outerwear).
• Delivered $10M+ in annual cost savings through strategic margin improvement initiatives, vendor negotiations, and sourcing analytics.
• Developed and led GTM and development calendars to align cross-functional teams to key milestones and business deadlines.
• Maintained strategic partnerships with 17 overseas factories, ensuring quality standards, operational efficiency, and supply chain agility.
• Founded and led NYC office Philanthropy Committee, partnering with United Way and Dress for Success to support local community initiatives.

PRODUCTION & FABRIC SOURCING COORDINATOR - BCBG MAX AZRIA

(2011-03 - 2013-09)

• Promoted from Fabric Coordinator to Production Coordinator, expanding ownership of the development cycle for Runway collections.
• Partnered with Fabric R&D and Design to drive product creation from concept through final sampling, ensuring design intent translated into manufacturable, cost-effective product.
• Managed costing and margin analysis across the line, negotiating with vendors to hit target costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Oversaw end-to-end sample and development tracking, coordinating across internal teams and suppliers to keep calendars on track.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - BEBE

(2010-02 - 2011-03)

• Managed end-to-end development tracking across Knits, Sweaters, and Tubular divisions.
• Served as the operational link between design, production, and both domestic and offshore vendor teams.
• Supported full sample development lifecycle from material sourcing through production handoff, building expertise in quality control, supplier coordination, and product tracking.

Assistant Production Manager - Zensei Yoga

Marketing Intern - FIDM

Runway Show Intern - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week LA

Bachelor's - Apparel Industry Management - Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising