Young Achiever Award 2003 - Jennifer McAllister
Jennifer McAllister graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with a major in Retailing and Consumer Science. Following an internship while at the U of A Jennifer began her formal employment at Old Navy, Gap Inc. as Assistant Production Manager. She has been promoted to the Women’s Active / Graphics / Swim / Boardshort Associate Production Manager. Her job includes managing product development from concept to delivery while working with design, merchandising, distribution, planning, technical service, color and global sourcing team members. She is responsible to pre-cost and pre-source new fabrics and techniques. She actively negotiates costs and refines product, while keeping quality paramount. Jennifer notes that it is incredibly gratifying to work so hard on a product and then see a stranger wearing her logo tee shirt in passing!
Jennifer has received seven Above and Beyond Awards from cross-functional team members. One of the awards was in recognition for creating a comprehensive chase strategy that decreased Women's Graphics lead times from 14 weeks to 4-6 weeks. She collaborated with overseas agents, factory owners and merchants to complete the strategy. The strategy was used as a model for other speed-to-market departments. In summer of 2003 Jennifer traveled to Lima, Peru twice to review in-factory production, negotiate future business and gain feedback on Old Navy’s production processes. Jennifer has been instrumental in the development of the Bay Area SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Alumni Chapter. Jennifer served as a Student Representative to the SFCS Council of Alumni and Friends while at the U of A. She states that she is grateful for her time spent with the perceptive and caring people in the College of Agriculture and the School of Family and Consumer Sciences RCSC program.
