Gatherer and keeper of all packaging Brand- and Variety-level content, and data elements (e.g., UPCs, finished good i.d.'s, raw material numbers, Net Weight statements) for the company’s database (TeamCenter) used in the packaging development process for new SKUs and existing portfolio updates. • Responsible for current and accurate content for all of KGM’s owned, licensed, partner, and private label brands inclusive of creative copy as well as regulated pieces of information that are mandatory as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). (Currently 90+ brands, 650+ varieties, and several thousand SKUs.)• As packaging moves through the creative process, fulfill the role of subject-matter expert (SME) in meticulously maintaining and managing the packaging database and making its contents available for daily reference by the Packaging Compliance team, Marketing Brand & Creative teams, Legal department, and others externally, if required (e.g., FDA as audit trail).• Review all packaging artwork in the beverage, brewer, and accessories space for compliance, correctness, and adherence to design templates using the online artwork approval system (WorkFlow by Design/ScreenDragon), confirming files in proofing are reflective of all TeamCenter content and that all corporate, product branding, certification, and legal guidelines are explicitly followed. Ensure any packaging artwork discrepancies are settled with appropriate stakeholders and TeamCenter is reconciled so as always to serve as "single source of truth" for all packaging consumer-facing content.• Position closely collaborates with Legal, SSRA, Quality, Marketing, and Procurement groups for content/data validation, and requires participation in Creative Briefs and/or Design Review sessions.

Supported and implemented sourcing strategies in the area of packaging raw materials during one of the company's highest-growth periods (fifth consecutive year of +50% CAGR). Responsible for all aspects of procurement related to the litho-laminated high graphics club carton and corrugated box portfolios (~$45MM combined annual spend). • Researched fibers industry with due diligence to qualify potential suppliers.• Strategically focused on nurturing long-term partnerships with key suppliers that met and/or exceeded KGM requirements for best overall value (including cost, quality, service, geographic location, innovation, and capacity for future growth).• Informed RFP or RFQ projects and assisted with negotiation of Supply Agreements (including price and term) to optimize value and insulate KGM from cost pressures.• Proactively developed and brought forward sourcing solutions to address availability constraints, ensure business continuity, and contingency planning (e.g., second sourcing).• Identified cost-saving opportunities with a focus on continuous improvement of packaging form and innovative printing techniques.• Logistical management of supply to 7 facilities within KGM's U.S. network; ensured appropriate inventory levels of raw materials were available to support production.• Partnered w/internal Multi-site Quality and R&D teams on raw material Specification optimization.Accomplishments:• Constructed a Pre-printed Board VMI program with primary supplier of club cartons. All key/“A” list SKUs were placed on program (representing +50% of business); top sheets were pre-printed and inventoried at supplier for faster response time. This enhanced our ability to deal with unforeseen demand spikes, alleviated production stress, and improved our supply chain flexibility in the Club Channel. Lead times to our sites for “A” SKUs achieved 2 weeks delivery, allowing all others to meet 3-4 weeks delivery (from 6 weeks overall in original Supply Agreement).

A more tactical, hands-on "centralized" purchasing assignment, with emphasis on supporting and guiding our site-level buying teams at multiple production facilities across the U.S.(7) and Canada (2). Ensured availability of adequate packaging supplies to fulfill the increasingly complex material management and proliferating SKU-mix requirements of all 9 sites.• Portfolio primarily responsible for: flexible films (bagged coffee products), filter paper for bagged category, and labels (all package types: bagged & K-Cup.) Spend: approx $7MM, annually. • Served as back-up to MS Buyers for folding cartons, K-Cup lids, corrugate, and litho-laminated club cases.• Qualified and selected appropriate suppliers for assigned categories and secured supply streams; negotiated item specifications, terms, prices, and communicated forecasted requirements to suppliers. Managed strategic supply, procured materials, and managed associated inventory levels. • Approved to dispatch POs up to $500,000.• Managed 5 specific MS packaging supply relationships; directed and continually evaluated performance.Accomplishments:• Adeptly used Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to understand forecast/demand among multiple production sites and dispatched all POs within system.• Established Pull Systems for films and labels, which virtually reduced stock-outs on those materials to zero.• In 2013, worked in partnership with ATKearney (global procurement consulting firm) to bid out the Flexible Films category; led to a new 3-year Supply Agreement with high-performing long-term supplier; delivered $0.5MM annualized savings to KGM, and improved terms.• In 2010/11, Chosen by Sr. Director of Procurement as lead contact with J.M. Smucker's and Dunkin' Brands Group's creative and management teams in the development, creation, and introduction of new K-Cup packaging in multiple trade channels for Folgers/Millstone brands and Dunkin' Donuts brand. (Launched at 100% On time and in full levels.)

Primarily served as GMCR's internal packaging development subject-matter expert (SME) by managing the packaging requirements portion of all Marketing projects. This involved a wide range of cross-functional activity with multiple stakeholders to determine feasibility of Marketing team’s desired packaging. With thoroughness, assessed plant/production challenges, conditions, opportunities and constraints, and communicated best path forward for packaging solutions to senior management.Teamed with Marketing Managers & Creative group to bring a multitude of packaging and product launch initiatives to life. Led Packaging meetings and facilitated work of many outside suppliers to ensure optimal management, cost containment, and achievement of timelines. HIGHLIGHTS:• Successful introduction of GMCR branded Hot Cocoa – 1st ever commercialization of cocoa in K-Cups! Assisted with packaging development, helped plan and execute the promotion, created sampling kits for KADs, as well as sales materials and Sales Portal communications. (Added a significant new source of business to the K-Cup product line, drew a new consumer segment to the brand, secured 100% of the initial distribution opportunity.)• Keurig Packaging Restage – including a downcount of all 25ct dispenser boxes to 24ct and graphics refresh which created a consistent look and feel throughout the line.• Newman’s Own Organics new, improved square-corner bag. Changed bag footprint for improved shelf presence/better fit, a uniform fill volume, and consistent line pricing. Manufacturing gains were realized as well: the deeper gusset format resulted in faster filling and higher machine speeds. (Delivered 150k lbs in new distribution for NOO brand.)• Introduction of new GMCR bagged line: “Single Origins,” 6 region-specific specialty coffees (also in new footprint). With the Single Origins launch, we introduced our new packaging design architecture which then expanded to all remaining bag segments.

Served as "hub of the wheel" for busy Creative Services department with high volume of requests. Created Master List of all Marketing Projects coming into the queue, helping Creative Director prioritize for efficient execution against goals while simultaneously building a great, cohesive team.• Handled all Creative Brief agendas and facilitated CB meetings.• Secured designer assignments internally and if needed, externally, to extend capacity.• Managed projects and all communication flowing through outsourced creative agencies and freelancers.• On a monthly basis, reported Master List status to senior leadership (SLT) and right-tracked any projects stumbling or in jeopardy of missing established deadlines. • Owned select cross-channel projects/corporate initiatives effecting the entire organization and managed from concept to completion (e.g., introduction of a naturally-based, compostable Cold drink cup, Sales Collateral Refresh & Sales Web Portal introduction, 25th Anniversary Promotion.)• Acted as principal point-of-contact and communicator with outside Legal counsel.HIGHLIGHTS:• Selected as member of Agency Review Board in outside agency selection process, one of the company's highest-priority projects of 2005. Participated in all aspects of this extensive, multi-stage review process; ultimately selected BrandBuzz (NYC) to handle our ~$3-4M advertising account.• Celebrated GMCR's 25th Anniversary by management of a multi-pronged year-long promotion; included creation of a limited edition coffee: "Silver Celebration Blend" in all package formats, sales collateral pieces, wholesale customer gifts, tchotchkes, sweepstakes, and community events.• Published and introduced GMCR's first Style Guide, to provide parameters and guidance to various design teams, internally and externally . The Style Guide helped us align our branded look while improving holistic, synergistic, on-target communication across all marketing elements and media.

Responsible for supporting the creation and execution of insight-based customer and consumer marketing programs, product line management, and new product introductions to assist all GMCR’s channels in meeting their sales targets. • Collaborated with OCS Channel Leader and Marketing Director in the development of OCS Lead Generation Campaigns to productively reach prospects for our OCS distributors, helping them to grow their businesses and delivering incremental revenue for OCS channel.• Involved appropriate stakeholders and shepherded through numerous marketing initiatives, from the creation of channel-specific sales collateral, POP, and signage, to GMCR truck fleet graphics. Ensured project milestones completed on schedule, budgets were met, and projects exceeded quality aspirations.HIGHLIGHTS:• In 2002, teamed with Operations group in large-scale packaging restage project which involved the adoption and introduction of a new corner-seal, easy-open technology coffee bag, product line segmentation, and completely new artwork rolled out across full product line. Acquired detailed knowledge of GMCR’s manufacturing capabilities and limitations acting as primary interpreter and communicator between OPs and Marketing. Achieved management agreement to recommendations and managed all outside vendor relationships. Resulted in packaging that was more consumer-friendly through functional improvements and strengthened brand and product differentiation. Helped contribute to Supermarket channel sales growth of 24% YOY.• Commercialized first non-coffee beverage in a K-cup: Celestial Seasonings Teas. Served as principal contact with Hain Celestial Group's creative team, providing support and design guidance in the creation of 6 new Celestial Seasoning Teas for use with the Keurig system. (Achieved sales of 5M Tea K-Cups in first year, primarily within OCS channel, without cannibalizing K-Cup coffee business.)

Created and implemented marketing plans and programs to support sales efforts in GMCR’s wholesale channels, with particular focus on its newest Away-from-Home channel: Office Coffee Services (OCS). Designed effective marketing/training materials and leave-behind sales tools for our regional OCS account managers to aid in better understanding and positioning our coffees, acquire new customers, and optimize existing distributor relationships.Collaborated with OCS team leadership and the start-up Keurig, Inc., on the development of introductory programs, merchandising solutions, and marketing pieces to advance the sell-in of the nascent Keurig Single Cup Brewing System and pioneering K-Cups. Created impactful materials that showcased the uniqueness and advantages of “Keurig one-cup brewing,” influenced purchase, and promoted GMCR’s branded K-Cups. HIGHLIGHTS: • In 2002, participated in the successful rollout of a major new national OCS distributor for GMCR: ARAMARK, to 47 ARAMARK Refreshment Centers, on an aggressive schedule. Developed marketing materials for both traditional fractional package ("Frac") business as well as Keurig single-cup, assisted with staff trainings, and placed over 1000 Keurig Brewers, helping to significantly grow penetration of K-Cups and contributing to 13.4% sales growth YOY for the channel.• Introduced “Connoisseur Collection” line of K-Cups (5 exceptional coffees in enhanced packaging), reinforcing our leadership position as the premium provider of K-Cup portion packs and delivering incremental revenue for channel.

• Understanding retailer needs and consumer segment, created and executed new product launch program strategies including trade and consumer support materials (e.g., signage, hang tags, hanger collars, brochures, and videos) that effectively communicated the value-added technical feature benefits of CJB athletic sports apparel for women.• Developed consumer promotional and POS materials to deliver effective promotional plans in line with annual brand plan; including print, digital, and customized in-store programs at key retailers.• Reviewed and selected outside agencies and vendors to execute creative projects; negotiated contracts and managed workflow ensuring budgets were met.• Tracked results of all consumer promotions to assess financial impact vs. projections and reported results to senior management.• Identified need for and managed market research studies administered by outside sources.• Conducted competitive product analysis to monitor emerging market trends, recommend appropriate pricing structures, and develop business plans to launch new innovative exercise apparel in new channels.HIGHLIGHTS:• Assisted with 3 new product launches: Comfort Zip and Double Dry performance sports bras, and full line of Body Balance light compression, all-way stretch bodywear for low impact exercise. (All saw rapid expansion into multiple channels and product line extensions.) • Supported a full national launch of Champion Antibacterial Sports Briefs product line, including "Buy One Get One Free" (BOGO) promotion.