Managed this multi-faceted $700MM brand while overseeing day to day Stearns & Foster business (~$300MM) during the transition. Along with Director of Marketing, directed cross functional teams and agency partners to develop and commercialize new product offerings focused on new technology concepts which resulted in first year of sales growth in seven years. Drove new technology offering “Hybrid” from concept to completion effectively creating a new product category and driving sales at the top end of the portfolio (+$75MM).  Led cross functional teams, including external innovation partner IDEO, to identify and improve value proposition of flagship brand resulting in improved margins 150 bps. Executed comprehensive competitive benchmarking and shared well summarized results to create a well positioned product launch, targeted training materials and a uniform product message.  Directed consumer strategy for print and television advertising and collaborated with communications department to creatively utilize a small budget. Developed repositioning and product merchandizing of struggling hospitality branded products to target new product segment. Project anticipated to drive 200% top line growth within two years.

Promoted cross-functionally to take action and save a brand that was in jeopardy of being eliminated from the company portfolio. Reporting to Director of Marketing, Stearns & Foster and working closely with VP Marketing Innerspring within two years the team brought the brand to record high sales and profit in the 30 year history under Sealy Inc. management. Shaped and executed a major product launch which restored sales (+$260MM vs. prelaunch run rate) and resulted in increased total company market share of 180 basis points. Created and led restoring exclusivity by creatively restricting distribution and increasing entry price point which resulted in a choice dealer base and a “waiting list” of interested retailers. Identified opportunities and launched specialty latex and personality series products dramatically increasing sales >$1,000 and establishing higher overall premiums for all future lines. Developed strategic pricing and merchandising methodology to meet and exceed aggressive gross margin targets while improving overall product quality.  Teamed up with The Salvation Army and executed annual promotion “Gift of Sleep” to drive brand loyalty and incremental holiday sales. Efforts resulted in max annual donations valued at $1MM. Handled public relations with media at “Furniture Today” and other local media concerning “Gift of Sleep” with The Salvation Army obtaining articles and interviews centering around the partnership

Promoted to management overseeing the financial relationship with customer segment totaling $500MM annually. Managed analysts in profit planning, pricing analysis, expense reviews, variance analysis, forecasts, compensation analysis, budgeting and post mortem reviews. Quickly became a trusted advisor to upper management and was asked by CFO, CEO and CMO to provide guidance on key financial decisions including deal negotiations.  Working with sales management created strategic objectives for top customers, which greatly improved overall account management.

Finance lead charged with overseeing new financial evaluations of domestic product launches for all divisions ($1.05B). Highly regarded for motivation to dig deep into product development and created better synergies between finance and marketing. Led financial support for product launches focused on significant cost reductions and which met cost targets, produced 85% increase in sales and a 6.5% margin gain. Became instrumental part of new product launch teams bringing collaborative nature and new perspective to the groups. Executed financial analysis for cross functional events which led to over 14% cost reduction in newly launched products.

Hired at the onset of the reorganization of the finance department, charged with transitioning sales analysis, accounting and budgeting from plant based to corporate. Conducted customer analysis and recommended pricing and expense control actions to drive increased performance on at 300MM business. Analyzed sales opportunities and capital expenditures for current and prospective business ventures and recommended course of action which resulted in over $10MM incremental sales annually.  Shaped the financial tools and sales reporting functions under the direction of KKR management team surrounding the IPO. Developed a strategic pricing structure for the Hospitality Division 2006 product line under which the division gained efficiencies and better managed external costs.

As part of the management team I supported faculty, administrators and chairman by overseeing all post award sponsored program financial management and financial reporting obligations working closely with the university compliance office. Consistently exceeded governmental requirements with a 100% on time and accurate reporting history. Improved University wide productivity by creating Access databases and reports that were implemented throughout the finance department.

Added responsibility of overseeing royalties of over $5 Million annually and created new more user friendly systems. Helped to fill junior analyst position and tasked with training and overseeing this roll.

Promoted into this self starting position, created from the merger of three Thomson companies, and was tasked with planning and executing the combined sales commission process for the newly created division. Hard work, creativity and attention to detail contributed to a well thought out plan, near seamless transition and ultimately an easy process which was reduced to 20% of workload within four months.

Led thorough and detailed research on securities in the fixed income market and became an expert in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities. Managed research for multiple top tier investment banks and was chosen as successor to Research Director before taking a promotion into Finance.