Deb Ferrao
Area Development Manager at Beyond Benefits LLC- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Licensed Life, Accident and Health Insurrance Agent
-Jan, 2017- Nov, 2024 -
Project Management Professional (PMP)
-Nov, 2015- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Beyond Benefits LLC
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Insurance
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1 - 100 Employee
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Area Development Manager
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Jan 2021 - Present
At Beyond Benefits, powered by Colonial Life, I partner with business owners and and health insurance brokers on expanding and enhancing employee benefit packages as well as the employee education and enrollment experience. I also recruit and develop an incredible team. At Beyond Benefits, powered by Colonial Life, I partner with business owners and and health insurance brokers on expanding and enhancing employee benefit packages as well as the employee education and enrollment experience. I also recruit and develop an incredible team.
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Blue Sky Benefit Solutions Inc
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United States
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Insurance
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1 - 100 Employee
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Executive Account Manager
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Jan 2017 - Jan 2022
Blue Sky Benefit Solutions is a full-service benefit company, in the business of helping employers protect their employees and their families. We partner with businesses on developing a plan to provide the best comprehensive, low-cost benefits to their teams. Blue Sky Benefit Solutions is a full-service benefit company, in the business of helping employers protect their employees and their families. We partner with businesses on developing a plan to provide the best comprehensive, low-cost benefits to their teams.
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Target
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United States
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Business Process Consultant - Assortment Planning
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Sep 2014 - Oct 2015
Product owner, leading new version rollout for existing assortment planning tool and pilot reporting for new assortment planning initiative. Gathered business requirements, developed test plans, executed user acceptance testing, and developed change management materials. • Created and managed project plans, ensuring on-time completion of all key milestones and projects. • Delivered enhancements for version 2.0 of the apparel and accessories assortment planning tool, enabling… Show more Product owner, leading new version rollout for existing assortment planning tool and pilot reporting for new assortment planning initiative. Gathered business requirements, developed test plans, executed user acceptance testing, and developed change management materials. • Created and managed project plans, ensuring on-time completion of all key milestones and projects. • Delivered enhancements for version 2.0 of the apparel and accessories assortment planning tool, enabling successful assortment and financial management until the rollout of the new Assortment Planning system.
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Business Process Consultant - Raw Materials Management
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Oct 2008 - Sep 2014
Led development of a suite of Raw Materials Management tools, used from assortment planning through product design and development, ultimately providing a forecast for total company consumption of key fabrics. Developed all stakeholder communication, change management plan, and training for tool releases. • Drove project for Target’s first-ever fabric forecast tool, enabling ability to negotiate over $500 in fabric cost ($1B in garment cost), annually; developed project schedule… Show more Led development of a suite of Raw Materials Management tools, used from assortment planning through product design and development, ultimately providing a forecast for total company consumption of key fabrics. Developed all stakeholder communication, change management plan, and training for tool releases. • Drove project for Target’s first-ever fabric forecast tool, enabling ability to negotiate over $500 in fabric cost ($1B in garment cost), annually; developed project schedule, gathered business requirements, developed and conducted test plan, and delivered all tools on time. • Led development of 5 iterative versions, each rolling out on time and within budget, through effective identification of opportunities to modify process and enhance suite of tools. • Drove successful integrations of all Raw Material Management tools to 3 major, new Target systems: Assortment Planning, Item Management, and Product Life Cycle Management (PLM). • Awarded VP Outstanding Achievement for Raw Materials Management success in 2009 and again in 2014.
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Merchandising and System Development, Various Roles
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Jul 2005 - Sep 2008
Drove and consulted on several key projects and initiatives. Developed visions and solutions and managed all stakeholder communication. • Negotiation Leader: Developed and drove negotiation strategy for the Housewares Division, leading buyers and coaching negotiating tactics for all key 2008 program initiatives, saving over $13M. • Furniture Display Initiative: Re-engineered operational process for furniture display assembly and maintenance, gained management approval and documented… Show more Drove and consulted on several key projects and initiatives. Developed visions and solutions and managed all stakeholder communication. • Negotiation Leader: Developed and drove negotiation strategy for the Housewares Division, leading buyers and coaching negotiating tactics for all key 2008 program initiatives, saving over $13M. • Furniture Display Initiative: Re-engineered operational process for furniture display assembly and maintenance, gained management approval and documented and trained new process. • Business Process Consultant: Led the launch and enhancement initiatives of 3 merchandising systems: Competitive Benchmarking and Hardlines and Soft Lines Assortment Planning Tools. • Business Development Consultant: Drove apparel space planning initiative through documenting current/proposed process and benefits of new process; presented solution and secured funds for proposal.
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Buyer - Bedding
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Mar 2003 - Jun 2005
Developed business strategies, financial plans, and merchandise assortments for an $850M bedding business. Led efforts of cross-functional team members including design, sourcing, advertising, packaging, signing, and vendor teams to develop assortment that achieves overall strategy, vision, and financial plan. • Drove and managed the department’s financial planning process, exceeding 2004 bedding sales goal by $31.7M and gross margin by $26.1M. • Drove 30% increase in opening price… Show more Developed business strategies, financial plans, and merchandise assortments for an $850M bedding business. Led efforts of cross-functional team members including design, sourcing, advertising, packaging, signing, and vendor teams to develop assortment that achieves overall strategy, vision, and financial plan. • Drove and managed the department’s financial planning process, exceeding 2004 bedding sales goal by $31.7M and gross margin by $26.1M. • Drove 30% increase in opening price point bedding business ($130M annual sales); developed and launched all new patterns with increased quality; successfully negotiated pricing to maintain margin at higher quality. • Sourced over $300 million at retail through competitive line reviews and online auctions; savings in purchase mark-up resulted in a $31 million increase to department margin. • Managed key relationship with designer Isaac Mizrahi, and captioned buying efforts across domestic division to ensure a cohesive brand launch; exceeded bedding sales plan by 55%. • Received Senior Vice President Award for increasing juvenile bedding sales by 96%.
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Buyer - Home Fragrance
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Feb 2001 - Feb 2003
Led cross-functional group and developed business strategy for Target’s $150M home fragrance business. • Led reinvention initiative for home fragrance business in response to industry’s down-trending sales, driving the creation of 800+ new items and resulting in a 30% sales increase and a significant increase in market share; new assortment launch was mentioned as “the talk of the industry” in Retail Merchandiser. • Received Senior Vice President Award for success of this launch.
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Merchandise Planning Manager - Home Improvement
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Mar 1999 - Jan 2001
Managed 6-person inventory planning team and developed financial inventory plans for $400M Home Improvement Department. • Developed inventory strategies to maximize instocks and inventory turnover, reduce supply chain and store expenses, and minimize markdowns, exceeding backroom and unproductive inventory goals by 33%, reducing rainchecks by 30%, in increasing top vendor fill-rate from 75% to 92%. • Received the Golden Contribution Award for beating sales, contribution, and… Show more Managed 6-person inventory planning team and developed financial inventory plans for $400M Home Improvement Department. • Developed inventory strategies to maximize instocks and inventory turnover, reduce supply chain and store expenses, and minimize markdowns, exceeding backroom and unproductive inventory goals by 33%, reducing rainchecks by 30%, in increasing top vendor fill-rate from 75% to 92%. • Received the Golden Contribution Award for beating sales, contribution, and turnover goals; drove strategies to meet and exceed financial plans.
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Senior Business Analyst/Business Analyst - Toys
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Jun 1995 - Feb 1999
Managed inventory for various toy categories in a department that generates over $500 million, annually. Developed seasonal and holiday replenishment strategies for imported and domestic products, forecasted weekly receipts, and managed new store openings. • Received the Leading and Learning Award at the 1999 National Sales Meeting (one of 5 company-wide recipients) for providing outstanding leading, mentoring, and coaching to Toy team members. • Received the Director’s Award in… Show more Managed inventory for various toy categories in a department that generates over $500 million, annually. Developed seasonal and holiday replenishment strategies for imported and domestic products, forecasted weekly receipts, and managed new store openings. • Received the Leading and Learning Award at the 1999 National Sales Meeting (one of 5 company-wide recipients) for providing outstanding leading, mentoring, and coaching to Toy team members. • Received the Director’s Award in 1996 and 1997 for superior inventory management and financial planning. • Promoted in April 1997 from Business Analyst to Sr. Business Analyst.
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Education
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University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management
Bachelor of Science (BS), Business -
University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business
Mini MBA - December 2015 -
University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business
Mini Master of Project Managment - October 2015 -
University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business
Mini Master of Finance - October 2015
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