CHRIS LEBLANC CREATIVE
Product Design • Development • Management
About Chris LeBlanc
I am an Industrial Designer, with extensive experience in
Product Development & Merchandising.
In a hurry? Here's the SHORT VERSION:
AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Consumer Product Design & Development,
Merchandising & Product Management, Graphic & Packaging Design, and Illustration.
INDUSTRIES: Footwear (Athletic, Work, Casual), Luggage (Hard Side, Soft Side), Bags, Backpacks, Accessories (Small Leather Goods, Belts)
BRANDS: Dickies, Levi's, Reebok, Wilson Sporting Goods, Ogio,
Kenneth Cole, Samsonite, Levi's, Lands' End, and Private Label.
*Experienced with License Products as well as Brands*
RETAILERS: Walmart, Meijer, Target, Payless, Costco, Marmaxx, House of Fraser, Bed Bath and Beyond, Macy's, Kohls, and Amazon.
DESIGN TOOLS: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), SolidWorks, CAD Drafting
DESIGN SKILLS: Concept Sketching, Rendering, Tech Pack Development, Prototyping, Construction Documentation
DEVELOPMENT SKILLS: Global Sourcing, Vendor Negotiation, Production Management, Procurement Strategy, Cost Reduction, Supplier Evaluation,
Cross-Functional Leadership, PLM / ERP, Microsoft Office/Excel
PROCESS: Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Material & Color Development, Factory Vendor Communication, PLM Systems, Prototype Review & Iteration
COLLABORATION: Cross-functional teamwork with Creative, Product Development, R&D, Packaging/Marketing, and Sales teams
OVERSEAS COMMUNICATION: Korea, China, India, and Guatemala
EDUCATION (AAS, BFA, MBA): BFA in Industrial Design and an AAS in Illustration from the Rochester Institute of Technology. MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Bryant University
Wow, you're still here? OK! Here's the FULL BIO:
I am a cross-functional product professional with 20+ years of experience spanning industrial design, product development, and product management. My background covers footwear, bags, luggage, belts, wallets, and accessories, with expertise in taking products from concept through commercialization. What sets me apart is my ability to bridge creative design and business strategy — translating consumer insights into innovative designs, while also managing timelines, merchandising, sourcing, and cross-functional collaboration. I thrive in environments where design and strategy intersect, bringing both an eye for detail and a big-picture perspective. Whether as an Industrial Designer creating market-ready products or as a Product Manager driving strategy and execution, I bring versatility, creativity, and proven results.