EXPERIENCE:

PRODUCT / PROJECT / CATEGORY MANAGEMENT & ANALYST

• Led multiple company-wide cross-functional teams. Developed items, solved issues and suggested improvements to executives in formal presentations.
• Followed the new product development process to make ideas into products, evaluated risks and potential.
• Lead and facilitated the complete product life cycle process from idea genesis to grave.
• Utilized information gathered by market research firms to evaluate information on consumers’ preferences, buying patterns and expectations. Developed products that fit the results.
• Consulted with patent attorney regarding development of innovative designs.
• Managed development product plans that included detailed investment forecast and anticipated profitability analysis.
• Gave multiple presentations to customers, peers, executives and business colleagues at large conferences and small meetings.
• Interfaced with manufacturing and vendors to utilize new technology and develop new items.
• Presented ideas, products and objectives in formal presentations to internal personnel and external customers and vendors.
• Met with vendors, processed official solicitations and awarded bids to company with best offer.
• Responsible for insuring the proper documentation of Federal product compliance and labeling.
• Planned/coordinated logistics for rollout of new items.
• Accountable for creation and processing of detailed product specification sheets.
• Maintained product plans including detailed information of over 1,000 active items within three product lines including daily maintenance and prompt resolution of various issues.
• Created, compiled and analyzed weekly, monthly, quarterly and year end reports in Excel. Communicated results via PowerPoint, spreadsheet, graphs and written reports as necessary.
• Supported Sales by providing the tools, information and insights they need including analysis, presentation materials and direct customer interaction.
• Prepared work orders for in-house graphics group, IT, engineering and manufacturing.
• Category Manager for customers including Rite Aid, Military and HEB. Created/merchandised successful plan-o-grams and developed specific items resulting in increased sales and profits.
• Proactively resourced items and re-engineered products to maintain company profit, quality and deliverability goals.
• Composed articles for quarterly company newsletter, answered questions from other companies’ executives and the public.
• Supervised, trained, prioritized workload of part time staff.

INTERNATIONAL SOURCING MANAGER

• Led negotiations on price, tooling charges, lead times, quality and payment terms.
• Visited factories in China, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea to confirm projects were on schedule and to exact specifications, understand the factory capability for future products and build relationships.
• Prepared detailed work breakdown and instilled shared ownership for achieving product success.
• Assigned factory based on design, capability and capacity.
• Proactively resourced items to new factories to achieve desired profitability, design and quality.
• Addressed and resolved various logistics, material, packaging, design and pricing issues.

REPLENISHMENT / FORECASTING

• Successfully planned, executed and scheduled daily warehouse replenishment as well as seasonal build ups, end of season logic and end of life cycle management.
• Monitored order and shipment status to confirm timely arrival of goods to destination.
• Forecasted internally and worked closely with buyers, replenishment managers and executives to share accountability using the techniques of CPFR.
• Addressed financial constraints and complicated logistics to overcome challenges.
• Coordinated shipping schedules in order to maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Person selected by Walmart to pioneer the Walmart Co-Managed (VMI) program using INFOREM.
• Awarded Walmart vendor of the quarter twice.

SUPERVISOR

• Created best practices by implementing procedures, processes and forms for uniformed work throughout the department.
• Implemented training manual, procedures and schedule for new hire orientation.
• Interviewed potential employees, conducted performance appraisals, maintained budget.
• Created teambuilding exercises to relieve department stress and increase morale.
• Attained grade promotions and raises for all direct-reports due to increased workload and job responsibility.
• Handled sensitive payroll and other confidential information.
• 7 direct reports.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Led teams to improve line fill, on time and match rate. Presented progress and challenges in monthly meetings.
• Handled customer inquiries, complaints and billing questions.
• Calmed angry callers, repaired trust, located resources for problem resolution and designed best-option solutions.
• Interfaced daily with internal partners in Accounting, Field Services, Operations and Sales.
• Monitored quality and purchase orders, order entry, pricing, track shipments, set up new accounts.
• Tackled customer challenges with innovative solutions, increased customer satisfaction and the bottom line.

SECRETARY TO VP SALES & SALES ADMINISTRATION 
Planned and coordinated all details of important VIP visits. Discretely handled sensitive and confidential information. Maintained calendars and schedules of executives. Created and presented reports and presentations to provide easy to understand information. Attend meetings and take minutes, maintained files, created agenda, composed correspondence.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Confidential (Austin, TX) – Picture Frame Manufacturer/Distributor

• Product / Category / Project Manager, 7/2006 to 7/2012

Confidential (Austin, TX) – Picture Frame Manufacturer/Distributor

• Product Manager, 9/2004 to 7/2006
• International Sourcing Manager, 9/2002 to 9/2004:

Confidential (Austin, TX): Wrist Watch Distributor of Seiko and Disney Brand Watches

• Replenishment Co-Manager / Forecast Manager / Analyst, 9/2000 to 9/2002

Confidential (Taylor, TX) – Picture Frame Manufacturer/Distributor

• Sales Support Supervisor - 1999 to 2000
• Replenishment Manager, Analyst / Co-Manager (VMI) - 1996 to 1999
• Walmart Specialist / Analyst - 1994 to 1996
• Sales Support Administrator - 1992 to 1994
• Customer Service Representative - 1990 to 1992
• Secretary to the Vice President of Sales - 1988 to 1990