Sr. Product Manager

• Jul 2021 - Present

Product Manager

• May 2018 - Aug 2020

Responsible for the strategic growth and development of computer training desks and mobile office solutions. Collaborated with engineering, marketing and sales to define and implement strategies to increase market share and encourage repeat business. • Built business case for new product category of mobile office solutions. Researched market to develop market positioning and define product specs, determined product scope, pricing, product roadmap and KPI's for presentation to executive team for buy in and approval. Launched Sonoma table June 2019. • Strengthened market position of computer training desks by upgrading lid design to accommodate largest range of monitor sizes and styles, positioning the line as an industry leader in technology and customization. • Partnered with creative marketing team to ideate compelling product launch material, item content, packaging and user guides. • Provided comprehensive product and market knowledge for sales force through competitive benchmarking, customer visits and preparation of custom project quotes for sales team which generated 2+ million dollars in sales annually. • Collaborated with supply chain to monitor sales and inventory to maintain customer satisfaction and lead times.

Director Merchandising , Sourced Products

• Dec 2012 - Sep 2017

Owned the end to end process of new product development from initial concepts through commercialization for 7 categories and 9 global brands. Guided and mentored team of 2 merchandise managers and business analyst. Collaborated with business development, packaging, brand management and marketing on all aspects of marketing, packaging development and development of new and existing products.• Led team in execution of new item development and strategic growth plans from creation through launch for 50+ new items per year over 9 global brands resulting in over $25 million in annual revenue. • Cultivated and maintained relationships with existing and new suppliers, reduced costs, improved quality and speed to market by traveling overseas 5+ times a year for factory visits and to work with HK based merchandising team.• Continually researched market by attending domestic and international trade shows, market shopping and competitive research to identify new product trends and opportunities for driving future business.• Reduced loss by over 90% when factory abruptly closed through comprehensive factory and market analysis, re-sourcing and moving key programs to new factories.• Optimized profit margins, by altering packaging design and shipping cartons, increasing margins by 1 - 2 points.• Launched Cake Boss Line (75+ baking and cake decorating items) in collaboration with business development, marketing and sales resulting in $12M in initial sales. Awarded leader of the year for brand launch.

Senior Merchandise Manager, Sourced Products

• Mar 2011 - Dec 2012

Led the end to end development process of 4 categories for key domestic brands including Anolon, Circulon, Rachel Ray, and private label brands from initial concepts through commercialization. Cultivated and maintained relationships with 10+ suppliers. Mentored team of 2 direct reports - sourcing manager and business analyst.• Led the development and product line strategy for bakeware, kitchen tools/gadgets, wood and melamine products from ideation through commercialization for 50+ items annually resulting in $15 million revenue.• Traveled overseas to negotiate costs and order quantities with vendor partners to achieve financial targets for each product, increased margin in key categories by 1-3%.• Proactively communicated with cross functional teams for brand management, packaging development, and business development to share development updates, product knowledge and final costing.

Merchandise Manager, Sourced Products

• Dec 2008 - Mar 2011

Responsible for the category line management and product development process of 2 categories under the Anolon, Circulon, Rachel Ray and Paula Dean brands from initial concepts through commercialization. Actively collaborated with cross functional teams for brand management, packaging development and business development.• Researched and identified over 20 items annually to present to Sr. Director for metal bakeware and kitchen tools which resulted in over $ 10 million in annual revenue.• Traveled overseas to negotiate pricing with vendor partners to be in line with competitive retails and achieve margin targets.

Merchandise Manager

• Feb 2007 - Jun 2008

Drove strategic product development and merchandising for 2 categories, with $3 - $10M open to buy sales budgets. Managed product selection and price negotiation, packaging design, QA testing and launch plans. Proactively communicated with cross functional teams on packaging development, store retail and e-commerce merchandising, product testing and quality control. • Created gift strategy focused on mens leather accessories, generating $3M in sales in the 4th quarter. • Curated lines to achieve category financial targets. Collaborated with planning and allocation on inventory management, sell through, promotional strategies and exit plans.

Account Manager

• Feb 2002 - Feb 2007

Drove $5M+ in new business by developing key accounts. Prepared product idea presentations for decisions makers at multiple accounts including Eddie Bauer and The Sharper Image. Sourced and developed 100+ items in 5 years for 6 key accounts. Managed and developed timelines to ensure 95% on time delivery. Drove $5M+ in new business by developing key accounts. Prepared product idea presentations for decisions makers at multiple accounts including Eddie Bauer and The Sharper Image. Sourced and developed 100+ items in 5 years for 6 key accounts. Managed and developed timelines to ensure 95% on time delivery.

Buyer Kids Decorative accessories

• May 2001 - Feb 2002

Selected seasonal products to support brand image and collaborated with design team to develop new items. Communicated with domestic and international vendors to purchase new products and negotiate prices. Strategized placement in catalog to drive sales and ensure effective brand appearance. Analyzed sales to track meeting of plan and gross margin. Selected seasonal products to support brand image and collaborated with design team to develop new items. Communicated with domestic and international vendors to purchase new products and negotiate prices. Strategized placement in catalog to drive sales and ensure effective brand appearance. Analyzed sales to track meeting of plan and gross margin.

Merchandise Manager

• Jul 1995 - May 2001

Led the retail, e-commerce, and gift / gadget department; made product decisions to support brand strategies. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement packaging, catalog placement and retail store merchandising. Coordinated with vendors to negotiate costs and development timelines. Traveled to domestic trade shows and markets to source new products. Led the retail, e-commerce, and gift / gadget department; made product decisions to support brand strategies. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement packaging, catalog placement and retail store merchandising. Coordinated with vendors to negotiate costs and development timelines. Traveled to domestic trade shows and markets to source new products.