WPS builds out sourcing team

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/16/2004 12:00:00 AM

WEST POINT, GA. —

In an ongoing effort to enhance its sourcing operations in preparation for emergence from Chapter 11 early in the second quarter, WestPoint Stevens has added two directors to its team.

Caroline Diamond Warthen has been named director-global product procurement, effective Feb. 3; she will be based at the Clemson, S.C. complex. Meanwhile Angela Allen is now director-sourced bed product development.

Previously, Warthen was bed product manager, department stores, from 1997 through November 2003. Allen has been sourced product manager since 2000.

"In this new role, (Warthen) will provide global vendor and category development across a multiple vendor and country base, including assistance in creating selected 'in-country' staff responsibilities," said senior vice president, global sourcing, William T. Walker, to whom she reports.

Warthen will analyze vendor pricing, capabilities, capacities, quota constraints and service opportunities, as well as develop potential alliances and partnerships. She joined the company in 1995 as an account manager in Dallas until 1997. Before coming to WestPoint Stevens, she held merchandising and sales posts at CHF, The Bombay Company and Pillowtex.

Allen is responsible for directing and coordinating communications between product development teams and sourced product suppliers as well as creating/managing database tools to improve sourcing initiatives.

"She brings to this post notable strength and insight from her 10 years experience in our sourcing and product development area along with her previous experience within the company," said Frederick M. Rogers Jr., vice president-bed product and sourcing development.

Allen joined WestPoint in 1979 and progressed through various sales and marketing assignments until 1981, when she became associate merchandise manager-bed products. She was named packaging/budget manager-creative service in 1986 and in 1994 moved to the new sourcing department as assistant sourcing manager. She was promoted in 1998 to sourcing manager where she stayed until 2000, when she moved into her previous role.