Denise Carter Email & Phone Number

Middlefield, Ct, Us

Colchester, Ct

Globally Respected Craft ManufacturerRecruited to provide focused leadership, international sourcing/purchasing and product development/management expertise to increase product categories to drive sales and profitability. Quickly recognized for ability and initiative and awarded increasing responsibilities. Became involved in customer analysis and priority sales initiatives growing the brand by offering material that established the value and advantage of our products while identifying and implementing new market growth. Developed and established a private label branding business with national accounts. During tenure areas of responsibility also included Company Project Management, Quality Assurance including US regulatory and customer specific compliance, Licensing Contacts, Marketing and Graphics including Web, catalog, print, and packaging, product launches and trade shows as well as Customer Service.ACHIEVEMENTS•Company Growth – Key leader contributing to a 25% company growth in annual revenue during a period of industry change and challenge. •Private Label Branding – Developed and executed effective private label program with Michael’s, a leading craft retailer (1,000 stores). Worked with Private Label Brand Manager on assortment and pricing. Established packaging and all marketing materials. Added $400,000 in incremental revenue, with significant potential for second year growth.•Product Development – Collaboration with Disney – Identified a potential collaboration with a Disney product which would break into additional markets, increasing sales and gross margin. Worked through a multi-stage process with Disney, including a detailed financial evaluation to demonstrate the required projected ROI. Changed product mix; modified product name; implemented new packaging and developed all marketing materials. Products turned out to be valuable properties, expanding to new audiences, and opening up growth possibilities in two markets.

ACHIEVEMENTS CONTINUED•Improving and Increasing Web Exposure – Improved shoppers experience by merchandising web categories to better align with shopping habits. Updated content to include pertinent information for buying decisions, eliminating customer service log time. Established a like/coordinated item program promoting multiple purchases, growing the average order increasing sales and raising ROI. Developed and implemented procedure for new product being added to web including a “What’s New” section to supplement product launches which was a top shopped and entry area. Financial results from initial Web Strategies permitted for an additional hire to further develop web opportunities. •Developing Categories Externally Through Collaboration – Identified jewelry and jewelry making as potential growth businesses. Identified potential strategic partners and implemented successful collaborative efforts with them. Marketed existing line to mass market retailers by developing appropriate merchandising strategies. Co-designed a new product line and lead all marketing and merchandising strategies. Four jewelry lines have been placed in major retailers – growing jewelry business from start-up in 2009 to $1.6 million on 2011 – Repositioned company as a primary jewelry vendor with collaboration and new ideas. •Working with Wal-Mart - Brand & Product Development with New Customers – Led the process for Janlynn to be perceived as an authority in all categories. Analyzed market, developing a cohesive plan. Offered a complete assortment at value pricing. Developed a new look and feel by focusing on lifestyle branding .Served as Branding Manager for Wal-Mart. Revamped 50 existing products and developed 72 products (using a combination of internal and overseas sourcing). Janlynn delivered a comprehensive program to maximize store space in 2,300 stores (with 1,300 more on the horizon)– generating $2.4 million in incremental sales.

($13 Million Annual Sales) Annually introduced 150 new items attributing to $800K in new sales with emphasis on product development of proprietary items. Maintained margin rate during challenging business climate while supporting company’s strategy. Introduced square inch analysis (catalog) based on square foot analysis (retail). Led a cross-functional task force on SKU dispositions. Developed reporting tool for line review evaluations. ACHIEVEMENTS•Product Development/Launch - Introduced the #1 new item with over $100K in sales at a 78 GM%.•Catalog Design Layout - Successfully completed design layout for seven catalogs serving three major markets with emphasis on Contribution to Overhead.•Web Marketing - Implemented new merchandising strategies increasing website response based on customer shopping and search habits.•China Outsourcing - Led cross functional teams to china to resource categories and products by establishing pull facilities to raise gross profit while controlling inventory, raising turns and ROI.

($50 Million Annual Sales)ACHIEVEMENTS•Improved overall seasonal sales by 20% while maintaining a rate 6% over previous year.•Increased shops’ GM rate 87 basis points to plan and 153 points to LY by improving import initiatives, price reductions, strategic advertising, and reduction of markdowns.•Led departmental marketing strategies and planned all circular and in store promotions. Product featured on cover of company magazine.•Negotiated better new store discounts to enable company’s strategic growth plan and collected over $175K in advertising funding.

Discount Store Chain,At Its Peak Operated 700 Stores In 20 States

Buyer, Softcrafts - $45 Million Annual Sales/General Crafts - $40 Million Annual Sales (1999-2002)Merchandised department with regard to financial and inventory planning, with emphasis on advertising and sales forecasting, ladder planning and inventory flow, staff supervision, and floor layouts. ACHIEVEMENTS•Recipient of prestigious Chairman’s Award.Associate Buyer, Utility Bedding - $25.7 Million Annual Sales (1998-1999)ACHIEVEMENTS•Drove overall departmental results: sales +10%, GM +9%, Turn +4%.PREVIOUS POSITIONS WITHIN AMESAssistant Buyer, Sheets, Comforters & Utility Bedding - $65 Million Annual Sales (1997-1998) Assistant Buyer, Towels, Kitchen & Bath - $55.4 Million Annual Sales (1996-1997) Assistant Buyer, Newborn, Infant & Toddler Lines - $21.6 Million Annual Sales (1994-1996)

Associate Of Science (As), Marketing, 3.7

Special Focus on E-Marketing

Professional Development

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