Diane Larson Email & Phone Number

Denver Metropolitan Area

I am a supply planner for a global beauty and personal care products company. I took this consulting role as an opportunity to gain broader category experience while also leading multiple projects. I currently serve in a remote role that manages the planning process for a broad assortment of products.My focus in this position is to execute the strategic plan for new products in the North American region for assigned brands. I take insights from these projects to maximize the return on investment across the supply chain. I also manage the terms and performance of external partners in the supply chain. My dedication to repeating these successes has translated into my extensive documentation of these processes to facilitate standardization.Results thus far:• Managed the assembly process for 1M units across 100 SKUs for various brands within the portfolio.• Created 100+ new finished good codes for the online channel.• Improved the written assembly instruction standards for the 3P to streamline production, as well as the reallocation of roles and timelines for packaging and artwork for the Jo Malone London Brand.• Played a key role in the launch of the new tracker and milestone documentation for the growing team and programs.• Launched a new post-production process to manage excess inventory and disposition at the contract manufacturer to maximize resources while reducing waste.• Serve as point of contact for new code submissions and BOM outlines for manufactured products and their distribution.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

I served as Integrated Supply Chain Manager of merchandising operations when my business unit at 20th Century Fox was acquired by Disney. I supervised product strategies including placement, pricing, launch and management. I optimized supply coordination across multiple retail partners including Walmart, Target and Best Buy as well as large grocers Meijer, Kroger and Albertsons. I also led high-volume inventory projects that required complex supply chain coordination to accomplish efficiently and within budgets.I facilitated the necessary changes towards adoption of people, assets and processes during the acquisition. My role also included supporting the transformation post-acquisition in the business model. I completed everything that I wanted to do as part of this big initiative. So, I decided to step away from the role to relocate to Colorado to be closer to friends in the area and to focus full-time on finding the right next step in my career.A few of my achievements included:• Directed 5 external vendor partners and service programs to align retail strategies and maximize product line sales across multiple supply channels.• Reduced annual merchandising costs with overhaul to a retail program in adjustment to shifting business needs and labor discrepancies.• Incentivized supply relations with vendor and partnered with sales team to enhance deliverables to major grocery retailers resulting in 10% increase to in-store displays within a 6-month period.• Introduced process improvements to trade fund management that enabled efficient audits and resulted in discovery of payment backlogs.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

As Director of Merchandising & Supply Chain, I led merchandising services and supported the broader supply chain operations towards the company’s big-box, specialty, and grocery retail partners. I resolved complex supply chain challenges and maximized cost-efficiencies through inventory controls and service partnerships. I created and nurtured value across the product lines through strong client and supplier relationships. I also led successful merchandising initiatives that resulted in sales increase, compliance and cost savings across our network of retail partners. The business unit was eventually acquired and I shifted focus to manage the business unit’s integrated supply chain. I moved with the business unit through the acquisition process and supported the successful transition.Results during this time included:• Led portfolio strategy across multiple wholesaler and distributor accounts involving large-volume physical products and promotional inventory.• Managed up to 8 external vendor partners with oversight of contracts and multimillion annual budgets.• Collaborated to streamline pilot implementation of a scan-based trading program at a major retailer that involved integrating and revamping its supply chain.• Transformed the product launch processes by leveraging strategic partnerships to capture cost-sharing opportunities within the high-volume locations with greatest revenue impact.• Leveraged advantage gained in identifying contract non-compliance by a retail partner to work out recompense options and secure reduction in service rates.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

As Director of Merchandising strategy, I led merchandising partner coordination across multiple distribution channels for physical product lines. This involved management of merchandising teams, vendors, and distribution partners. I directed the execution of product retail strategies by leveraging the service of multiple vendor partners. I also supported multiple internal departments to meet inventory objectives of the product lines within the category.I facilitated relationships with our distribution partners and was hands-on in ensuring service expectations were met. I progressed with broader oversight of the merchandising operations that extended to leadership of the unit’s supply chain operation.Some of my accomplishments included:• Leveraged insights gained from shifting retail trends to direct profitable product strategies.• Ensured accuracy of orders to maximize savings and mitigate risks of returns and discrepancies.• Interfaced with stakeholders across the supply chain ensuring compliance to process standards.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

I was promoted to Associate Director of Merchandising with broader oversight of third-party labor and vendor relationships. I led negotiated contracts with multiple partners in this regard, ensuring and enforcing service agreements. I also managed client relationships with distribution studios, ensuring satisfactory and retained service partnerships. I organized and coordinated the operational priorities of the department, ensuring alignment to project and long-term program objectives. This included record-breaking merchandising execution for placement promotions across multiple locations of a famous big-box retailer.I facilitated communications between the strategic and implementation teams both at corporate and in the field. I was a primary contact point and liaison to department personnel and multiple external stakeholders.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

I started out at the entertainment media company as Senior Manager of Merchandising operations who supervised the retail execution of internal product lines across multiple distribution channels. This was a natural transition for me since I came from a previous role that directed merchandising projects for entertainment media product lines exclusively. I commissioned data-driven insights on the highly competitive retail landscape to leverage on product packaging strategy as well as in-store display and signage development projects to maximize sales profitability.I also advised on order coordination to save on shipping costs and improve logistic efficiency. This resulted in reduced inventory returns and optimized in-store implementation and labor costs of merchandising projects.

As Media Group Director, I spearheaded the in-store merchandising programs for the company’s media entertainment product client portfolios. In this role, I was closely collaborated with top-down management of more than 10 studio clients in addition to the buyers and operations lead of major retailers. I maintained oversight of staffing, training and development of the client services team in this role. We ensured all internal and client initiatives were documented up to the programs’ completion.Throughout my service at SPAR Group, I spearheaded and contributed to successful service launches that increased the revenue and sales generation of client companies. I also served as a member of multiple business development committees and acted as a liaison for joint ventures to set up merchandising operations in Japan, China and Turkey.

I was promoted to Client Services Director after scaling progressive roles within the merchandising and marketing services company. My role focused on overseeing the variety of merchandising programs for manufacturing clients. I handled a broad portfolio of products across toys, health & beauty, greeting card, pet, household, food, and automotive categories. I was responsible for the execution of up to 40 projects per year involving multimillions in annual revenues.In this role I had oversight of direct reports delegated to ensure program priorities were manageable across the multiple project commitments. I also had budget authority and was in charge of financial forecasts, evaluations and cost efficiencies. After a successful run in this role, I took on the challenge to direct in-store merchandising strategy for a priority focus product category.