Leader of a world class, consumer obsessed team tasked to create the vision, strategy, and assortments for the future of Converse Apparel and Accessories

Leading a dynamic, global, and world class team challenged with creating the future of Converse Apparel and Accessories.

In this role, I am responsible for defining and driving the strategy to grow Converse Accessories worldwide. As a leadership member of a fast-paced Apparel and Accessories Team, I am leading a creative team to deliver world class products that compliment and complete the "Converse Look." I am currently championing an innovative approach to the product creation process, defining best in class processes for product managers, and driving cultural change throughout the organization.

I am Responsible for strategic line planning and product management across Bags, Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories for Chrome Industries. We are currently building a collaborative integrated team of designers and planners with a focus on innovation and quality. My team and I applies a human centered design approach to every project to gain deep insights on unmet user needs. I am experienced in planning and managing products made right here in the USA and abroad.

June 2009 - August 2011Laptop & device accessory brandResponsible for all Acme Made product development & strategic planning across laptop, mobile device, and photo categories.; Helped 5 person brand team to grow Acme Made business from $1.5 to over $8 million in two years.Managed development and launch efforts for over 45 skus from concept through market introduction and sales tracking.Led five person team to coordinate product strategy, packaging, and marketing materials across laptop, eReader/tablet and photo accessory categories.Championed new channel efforts for the Apple iPad - gaining placement in major CE retailers including Best Buy - Canada.Successfully pitched Acme Made product portfolio to major CE buyers including Apple Inc., Best Buy, Target, HSN, and Microcenter.Helped define formal Product Development Process to achieve more team synergy and increase speed to market.

Responsible for strategic marketing and product development for specific collections within the travel and kids categories Reporting directly to the Global Marketing DirectorKey Successes:• Directed four separate cross-functional teams, collaborating with design, sourcing, product engineering, and communication.• Managed five key global product collections annually, grossing over $50 million in sales.• Reduced manufacturing costs by 8% for five travel lines while maintaining profit margin through cost and weight value engineering efforts. • Increased profitability of four lines by 2% through feature standardization and raw material optimization. • Pioneered process improvements with senior designers to reduce manufacturing lead times by up to one month. • Lowered response time and costs for global quantitative and qualitative market research efforts by Initiating on-line surveys and frequent flyer travel diaries.

Responsible for coordinating and supervising visual marketing efforts for all wholesale brand-marketing projects nationwideReporting directly to the Creative DirectorKey Successes• Coordinated and supervised brand-marketing projects with budgets in excess of $50,000 nationwide. • Championed qualitative market research study that led to a packaging re-design, saving packaging costs and boosting sales across multiple brands.• Streamlined fixture manufacturing design and processes for over $100,000 savings. • Increased revenue by 35% or more in 18 flagship locations nationwide through surveying, coordinating, and executing wholesale “brand shops.” • Developed communication materials achieving successful merchandise compliance in over 500 retail touch-points.• Created concept, coordinated, and executed Carter's & Oshkosh trade show booths annually for national trade shows.

Responsible for prospecting new leads for sales staff and conducting market/competitive analysisReporting directly to the VP of Business Development and Technology Key Successes• Created database to help Sales Executive team prospect new clients.• Reported weekly trend and market analysis serving as foundation of strategic planning to stay ahead of competitors.• Organized first inventory management system tied to an access database to catalog and organize all intra-company test samples and marketing materials.