Fred Cecala

Fred Cecala Email and Phone Number

Solutions Architect @ Higher Oak Consulting Limited
Mount Prospect, IL, US
Fred Cecala's Location
Mount Prospect, Illinois, United States, United States
Fred Cecala's Contact Details

Fred Cecala personal email

About Fred Cecala

Catapulting product revenue and market share through innovation and a deep understanding of the consumer marketplace. A strategic product management and transformational leader, I’m known for driving product innovation, optimizing brands to achieve market dominance, and maximizing profit/revenue growth for diverse consumer products organizations.With a talent for spotting trends and business opportunities, I bring strategic thinking, marketing and brand management expertise to create valuable game-changing solutions at Fortune 500, start-up, turnaround and high-growth companies.In addition, I’m a collaborative strategist, jump-starting company growth, guiding teams and stakeholders, and transforming corporate cultures to manage innovation challenges effectively while delivering creative brand-building solutions.A few career highlights:>> For Columbian Home Products, I turned around 10-year revenue stagnation, increased EDITDA 4-fold, and grew overall margins 8%.>> For Fortune Brands / ACCO Office Products Group, I led an innovation team that earned 30 patents in 24 months and became a catalyst for a new corporate structure for a $1.5B consumer products company.>> For Candle Corporation of America, I launched a new brand/product line, generating $40M revenue in 18 months and capturing 11% market share.Strengths & Competitive AssetsNew Product Development | Product Innovation | Product Management | Marketing Strategy | Building High Performing Teams | Brand Strategy & Execution | Qualitative & Quantitative Research | Sales Programs | Pricing Strategies | P&L Management | Channel Development | Market/Consumer Research | Communications & Public Relations | Merchandising | Inventory Optimization

Fred Cecala's Current Company Details
Higher Oak Consulting Limited

Higher Oak Consulting Limited

View
Solutions Architect
Mount Prospect, IL, US
Website:
higheroak.com
Employees:
19
Fred Cecala Work Experience Details
  • Higher Oak Consulting Limited
    Solutions Architect
    Higher Oak Consulting Limited
    Mount Prospect, Il, Us
  • Vileda Professional® Usa
    Senior Manager Global Marketing & Innovation
    Vileda Professional® Usa Oct 2018 - Present
    Aurora, Illinois, Us
    Leading the global new product development and R&D for the professional controlled environment division of Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions GmbH, an $11-Billion global consumer products industry leader. Serving bio-tech, pharma, medical device, technology and aerospace clean rooms across North America, Europe, Asia, India, Nordics and Australia.
  • Klein Tools
    Senior Director Product Management And Product Development
    Klein Tools Jun 2016 - Oct 2018
    Lincolnshire, Il, Us
    A manufacturer and marketer of professional hand tools for the electrical and telecommunications industries.Developed and implemented 3-year Product Roadmap with goal of generating sustainable incremental revenue – 228% goal achievement year 1.Built and directed new qualitative and quantitative research program including on-site field research and internal focus groups linked to a stage-gate product development process leading to a 35% improvement in product launch success rate and 21% total category growth in less than 24-months
  • Columbian Home Products, Llc
    Vice President Of Marketing & Product Development
    Columbian Home Products, Llc 2010 - Jun 2016
    No , Us
    A privately-held manufacturer and marketer of specialty cookware and housewares.[Equity Position] Hired by the CEO to optimize product and brand portfolios, turn around 10 years of declining sales/profits and position the company for acquisition. Revitalized product portfolios, increasing EBITDA 400%, capturing 12% sales increase, and earning Best-of-Show Honors at the International Home and Housewares Show. Led a team in operational restructuring and new product strategy execution, including SKU reductions, supply chain consolidation, cost structures renegotiation, strategic rebranding, repackaging, and repositioning along with purposeful new product additions. Directed new product marketing, category and channel development, pricing/costing, merchandising, sales analysis, and market research.
  • Buedel Fine Meats & Provisions
    Senior Consultant
    Buedel Fine Meats & Provisions Oct 2006 - Sep 2010
    Bridgeview, Il, Us
    Consultative selling and leader of B2B marketing initiatives for fine meats and gourmet food to national hotel chains, restaurants and institutions. Directing the development of B2C web portal: including online ordering, social media engagement and search engine optimization, business development metrics, and viral marketing tools.
  • Publications International
    Marketing Director
    Publications International 2004 - Dec 2008
    A specialty cooking and children’s books and educational products publishing company.Led development and implementation of company’s first proprietary consumer research strategies for growth opportunities for new product categories. Planned and drove new product development to capitalize on mass market large retail customer sales opportunities with Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Meijer, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Kohl's, and others. Led design and management of all marketing-related activities. Served as television on-air host for home shopping segments on QVC and HSN; consumer and market trend expert to national retail customers. Company launched 150+ successful new products, producing significant (+158%) annual revenue growth.
  • Maddock Douglas
    Insights Director / 3-2-1 Launch!
    Maddock Douglas 2004 - 2005
    Elmhurst, Illinois, Us
    An innovation consultancy that helps companies to design, brand, and launch new products and services.[Equity Position] Spearheaded the innovation and strategic insights division at a start-up consultancy firm. Identified, validated, and commercialized growth opportunities for Fortune 500 companies and $100M+ brands. Generated profitable and well-known market-disrupting product concepts for Gatorade, Ziploc, Pledge, Raid, Dreyers/Haagen-Dazs, Build-A-Bear Workshops, Purina and Orbitz, guiding internal and client teams through strategic discovery, immersion research, opportunity analyses, high-powered ideation, and concept development; resulting in a 200% client base expansion; and revenue growth.
  • Wilton Industries
    Vice President Of Marketing And Product Development
    Wilton Industries 2002 - 2004
    Naperville, Il, Us
    A kitchen tools, candy making, cookie making, bake ware, wedding, and seasonal products company.Promoted from Director of Marketing and led transformation of an underperforming product management group. Managed team in branding, marketing and public relations, and product development initiatives for a $50M brand portfolio and 1,400 SKUs. Generated $15M in new sales by launching 100+ new product within 18 months. Drove a 14% revenue increase in year one, a ~300% over 4% industry growth rate. Saved company money through operational reengineering, vendor consolidations, operational streamlining, and sourcing improvements contributing $500k+ directly to the bottom line.
  • Blyth Inc.
    Director Of Strategic Planning & Business Development
    Blyth Inc. 2000 - 2002
    Plymouth, Massachusetts, Us
    A designer and marketer of home fragrance products, seasonal decorations, home décor, and household convenience items.Partnered with the top three strategic business units: Partylite (direct-to-consumer division), Colonial Candle of Cape Cod (retail division) and Wax Lyrical (UK subsidiary, international division). Developed best practices for market and industry analysis, trend forecasting, consumer segmentation modeling and new product development for three brands and five retail product lines, producing a combined $150M in annual revenue. Achieved 30% increase in hit rate of new product introductions.Elevated the company’s Colonial Candle of Cape Cod brand to take on its largest competitor more effectively and enter a new market segment. Led a team in definition and launch of a new product line based on research and analytical insights. Delivered $40M in sales within 18 months and captured 11% market share.
  • Acco Brands
    Director Of Innovation
    Acco Brands 1995 - 2000
    Lake Zurich, Illinois, Us
    American manufacturer of office products; created by the merger of ACCO World and Fortune Brands.Promoted to Director of Innovation with multinational consumer products company following highly successful tenure as Senior Product Manager during which sales grew from $150M to $195M. Directed product development and strategic planning initiatives to redefine product lines and create sustainable competitive advantages. Managed cross-functional teams in branding strategies, product design and development, and market/industry trend analysis.

Fred Cecala Skills

Marketing Strategy Market Research New Business Development New Product Ideas Introducing New Products Strategic Planning Strategic Thinking Business Strategy Creative Direction Project Management Consumer Insight Consumer Products Competitive Analysis Product Innovation Innovation Consulting Innovation Management Innovation Cross Functional Team Leadership Brand Architecture Brand Developement Brand Management Go To Market Strategy Positioning Multi Channel Marketing Global Sourcing Marketing Brand Development Marketing Communications P&l Management Product Development Integrated Marketing Marketing Management Start Ups Business Development

Fred Cecala Education Details

  • Dominican University
    Dominican University
    Entrepreneurship

Frequently Asked Questions about Fred Cecala

What company does Fred Cecala work for?

Fred Cecala works for Higher Oak Consulting Limited

What is Fred Cecala's role at the current company?

Fred Cecala's current role is Solutions Architect.

What is Fred Cecala's email address?

Fred Cecala's email address is fr****@****ail.com

What schools did Fred Cecala attend?

Fred Cecala attended Dominican University.

What skills is Fred Cecala known for?

Fred Cecala has skills like Marketing Strategy, Market Research, New Business Development, New Product Ideas, Introducing New Products, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Creative Direction, Project Management, Consumer Insight, Consumer Products.

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