Ashley Souza
General Manager, Brand Development at Arcaea- Claim this Profile
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Topline Score
Bio
Stuart Blinder
Ash is one of the most creative, consumer focused people I know. All companies need innovation to thrive and she is the best new product professional I know. Ash combines great consumer feel with outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. She is a leader and one I would be delighted to work with again.
Rita Eckensweiler
I worked for Ashley for five years and throughout this time, she was a constant grounding support as the business continuously evolved. As a boss, she was reliable and available to talk through all challenges that came my way. Knowing my strengths, she trusted my judgment but also knew when I needed to be challenged. Ashley was the first boss I had that continuously fought for my professional development. This allowed me to build my experience across numerous roles within my 5 years in the business. She was a driver and pushed her teams to work hard and always recognized their efforts. Simultaneously, she advocated for positive mental health and implemented wellbeing into the company’s culture. Ashley brought a personable approach to leadership proving that it does not have to be one or the other. I truly hope our paths cross again one day!
Stuart Blinder
Ash is one of the most creative, consumer focused people I know. All companies need innovation to thrive and she is the best new product professional I know. Ash combines great consumer feel with outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. She is a leader and one I would be delighted to work with again.
Rita Eckensweiler
I worked for Ashley for five years and throughout this time, she was a constant grounding support as the business continuously evolved. As a boss, she was reliable and available to talk through all challenges that came my way. Knowing my strengths, she trusted my judgment but also knew when I needed to be challenged. Ashley was the first boss I had that continuously fought for my professional development. This allowed me to build my experience across numerous roles within my 5 years in the business. She was a driver and pushed her teams to work hard and always recognized their efforts. Simultaneously, she advocated for positive mental health and implemented wellbeing into the company’s culture. Ashley brought a personable approach to leadership proving that it does not have to be one or the other. I truly hope our paths cross again one day!
Stuart Blinder
Ash is one of the most creative, consumer focused people I know. All companies need innovation to thrive and she is the best new product professional I know. Ash combines great consumer feel with outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. She is a leader and one I would be delighted to work with again.
Rita Eckensweiler
I worked for Ashley for five years and throughout this time, she was a constant grounding support as the business continuously evolved. As a boss, she was reliable and available to talk through all challenges that came my way. Knowing my strengths, she trusted my judgment but also knew when I needed to be challenged. Ashley was the first boss I had that continuously fought for my professional development. This allowed me to build my experience across numerous roles within my 5 years in the business. She was a driver and pushed her teams to work hard and always recognized their efforts. Simultaneously, she advocated for positive mental health and implemented wellbeing into the company’s culture. Ashley brought a personable approach to leadership proving that it does not have to be one or the other. I truly hope our paths cross again one day!
Stuart Blinder
Ash is one of the most creative, consumer focused people I know. All companies need innovation to thrive and she is the best new product professional I know. Ash combines great consumer feel with outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills. She is a leader and one I would be delighted to work with again.
Rita Eckensweiler
I worked for Ashley for five years and throughout this time, she was a constant grounding support as the business continuously evolved. As a boss, she was reliable and available to talk through all challenges that came my way. Knowing my strengths, she trusted my judgment but also knew when I needed to be challenged. Ashley was the first boss I had that continuously fought for my professional development. This allowed me to build my experience across numerous roles within my 5 years in the business. She was a driver and pushed her teams to work hard and always recognized their efforts. Simultaneously, she advocated for positive mental health and implemented wellbeing into the company’s culture. Ashley brought a personable approach to leadership proving that it does not have to be one or the other. I truly hope our paths cross again one day!
Experience
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Arcaea
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United States
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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General Manager, Brand Development
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Apr 2022 - Present
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Crabtree & Evelyn
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United Kingdom
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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200 - 300 Employee
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Chief Brand Officer
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Feb 2019 - Apr 2022
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Head of Global New Product Development
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Feb 2017 - Feb 2019
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Patchology
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United States
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Medical Practices
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Director of Product Development
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Sep 2015 - Feb 2017
Worked with Marketing to create and refine a highly differentiated, multi-year new product pipeline that drives a steady flow of newsworthy product launches in all stages from concept to on-counter. Drove creation of new product concepts that fit with consumer needs, new technologies, profitability goals and/or new business opportunities. Conducted market, competitive and consumer research to determine product/market fit for new product concepts. Managed product development timeline calendars for seasonal launch projects, with both domestic and overseas manufacturing partners. Defined and sourced innovative ingredients based on claim substantiationCreated product fact sheets / profiles to flesh out all development needs including product technologies, positioning and claims. Managed and drove all clinical testing needs to support product launches with robust and innovative claims (inclusive of sensory, clinical and biological testing). Identified opportunities to improve efficiency through rigor and discipline in the new product development process (from concept to launch)
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Fresh
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United States
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Software Development
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1 - 100 Employee
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Manager, Product Development
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Mar 2013 - Sep 2015
Responsible for ensuring the product development process is adhered to through impeccable communication, tracking critical milestones and managing each stage of the process with precisionManage A product launches (up to 36+ projects per year) from ideation to production based on the vision of the brand’s Co-founders + Global Marketing Team. Work creatively across all categories within the brand: skin care, body care, color, hair, men, home + fine fragranceManage the product development process cross-functionally with Marketing, Packaging, Purchasing, Planning and Design teams to ensure all facets of new launch requirement + on-time deliveryResponsible for evaluating lab submissions and redirection on texture, efficacy, fragrance and colorManage + drive the approval process for all submissions based on formula approval deadlinesDevelop detailed Product Profiles for new launches used for Marketing + Copy text, Packaging + Education Manuals + Press ReleasesWork hand in hand with Global Product Marketing to collaborate on new launches, brand geography, category opportunities, opportunity in the market and competitive activityParticipate in on-site laboratory innovation sessions + off-site creative brainstorming meetings with Co-foundersAct as liaison between LVMH Regulatory and our internal departments and manufacturers on regulations + testingValidate, track + respond to all product related Customer Service inquiries. Spearhead Customer Service Task Force for Product Development Team
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Coordinator, Product Development
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Oct 2010 - Mar 2013
Co-manage multiple new development and reform projects from inception to production Coordinate all aspects of product development process by helping to organize, facilitate and support the PD team's projects, including new product development, existing product or process improvement and general quality assurance (QA) matters.Track NPD deadlines + work cross functionally with all global teams to ensure projects remain on trackGather and transmit to LVMH all regulatory information required for Global registration
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Saint Laurent
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France
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Luxury Goods & Jewelry
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700 & Above Employee
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Business Manager
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2009 - 2010
Developed new plan of business including new/retained client outreach and special event coordinationMet or exceeded all LY goalsCoordinated trainings and education programs for client retention and sales growth Developed new plan of business including new/retained client outreach and special event coordinationMet or exceeded all LY goalsCoordinated trainings and education programs for client retention and sales growth
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Chapman Construction/Design
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United States
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Construction
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1 - 100 Employee
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Marketing Assistant
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Sep 2008 - Nov 2009
Developed and managed response for client request for proposalsManaged corporate and client events designed to build and maintain relationshipsDeveloped and organized marketing infromation used in brochures, proposals + presentationsMaintined marketing contact + events databases Developed and managed response for client request for proposalsManaged corporate and client events designed to build and maintain relationshipsDeveloped and organized marketing infromation used in brochures, proposals + presentationsMaintined marketing contact + events databases
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Education
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2007 - 2008
Make-up Designory
Fashion Makeup Artistry -
2002 - 2006
Bridgewater State University
Communications/Public Relations
Community
