• Grew company sales by over 10% and hardware product portfolio sales by over 15% through extensive revive of product category; eliminated underperforming products and sourced trend current and forecasted trend offerings. • Transitioned organization from catalog shopping focused to consumer focused model, evolving product portfolio based on consumer preferences. • Consolidated supplier base by 33%, reducing from 150 to 100 suppliers while boosting efficiencies of time management by over 20%. • Fostered true collaboration across all disciplines throughout the organization; introduced cross-functional team culture resulting in improved speed to market while the decreasing number of product iterations.• Created first frozen cost model for product costing; instituted contractual agreement to hold costs at supplier level to mitigate potential price increases.

• Partnered with Sales Leaders in developing customer strategies across all retail channels including mass and specialty outdoor retailers.• Increased sales with largest U.S. retailer by over 15% while maintaining profitability objectives.• Grew sales with major U.S. club/warehouse retailer by over 12%. • Collaborated with Asian manufacturer on execution of new product development concepts within the outdoor leisure industry. • Developed strategy to identify consumer desired products to exceed end users’ expectations.

• Responsible for Global Strategic Planning of new product development for the markets of North America, Europe, South America and the Emerging Markets of China and the Pacific Rim.• Launched first product offering into emerging market of China and Southeast Asia, delivering $10M in sales within year one. • Developed and implemented Global New Product Development and Innovation process, reducing speed to market. • Conceptualized and executed innovation methodology, eventually evolving into Party Stacker Cooler.

• Created new product development process for e-commerce project to include ecommerce direct to consumer 3-year strategy and product generation plan.

• Oversaw qualitative and quantitative approaches to consumer research; drove consumer segmentation study to understand Calphalon customers through development of 4 segments used to drive development of future products.

• Assisted in implementation and execution of new cookware brand; launched first innovative OPP line of cookware under Mirro brand via mass merchandiser channel.

Project Leader (2002 to 2003); Project Manager (2000 to 2002)Guided cross-functional teams in efficient execution of product development initiatives from concept to commercialization in line with design, functionality, quality, cost and time-to-market standards. Assessed consumer wants and needs by utilizing “voice of consumer” tools including Quality Functional Deployment (QFD). Defined deliverables, sequenced and scheduled project steps through MS Project, and presented plans to Senior Management for review and approval. Oversaw budget development based on identified strategic projects.Key Achievements:* Advanced to owner of business plan for Hot Water on Demand platform product, with responsibility for strategy development, team management, consumer research, conflict resolution, and allocation of department and capital budgets; led vendor selection and exceeded all goal sets. Generated incremental revenue adding 16% growth to the overall category* Led 5 new product development teams in introduction of new insulated products while maintaining identified project goal set.* Executed strategic licensing program with NASCAR through product development initiatives.