Jun 2017 - May 2018 - Product management team leader responsible for defining/refining and executing product strategy and leading the product portfolio optimization of Grainger's private label safety and hand tools/metal working product categories. Work includes leading people to drive for the right product solutions based on customer need while balancing the challenges of product spec and product cost. Cultivate overseas sourcing relationships to collaborate and find the right product to meet customer needs. Utilize objective thinking to focus on the right solutions.Jul 2015-Jun 2017 Optimize Grainger's North American product portfolio of private branded Westward hand tools to create an effortless customer experience by rationalizing the assortment and addressing SKU proliferation; eliminating redundant product to create a more simplified shopping/buying experience. Developed and executed the strategy to provide Grainger customers a high value alternative to premium national branded products. Lead the collaboration of product and sourcing decisions with the global sourcing and engineering teams. Visited factories in China and Taiwan to ensure the right supplier partner was selected to make Westward. Helped develop the standards and product specs for the Westward hand tools.

Product manager for truck storage products focusing on Weather Guard brand in addition to developing WernerCo's private label truck storage product program. Responsible for identifying customer needs and market trends and turning them into innovative, profitable truck storage products. Designed the Kobalt brand truck storage product line and won the Lowe's merchandising line review in 2014. Developed new products and provided support for existing product. Led cross-functional team consisting of engineering, manufacturing, planning, and procurement to drive the truck products business.

Product portfolio manager. Execute strategy developed by product portfolio director. Manage product line reviews and new product introductions as well as catalog pages for the portfolio. Responsible for supplier relationships and driving profitable portfolio growth through new and existing products.

Product Manager for Craftsman branded Garage Organization/Tool Storage and Auto Specialty. - Led team to develop and implement merchandising presentation for Sears retail stores to drive emerging garage organization category with an emphasis on lifestyle aspirations. - Developed new line of tool storage with goal of revitalizing the tool storage business to maintain market share lead and bridge gap to the growing garage organization category. - Developed assortments for the externalization of Craftsman into ACE Hardware and WW Grainger.

Responsible for short term (0-60days) management and merchandising product lines at Sears and Kmart stores. Responsibilities included weekly advertising and online content, planogram management and resets. Assist buyer in monthly forecasting and planning as well as running supplier meetings.

Write, maintain/update, report Craftsman brand standards for Mechanics & Trade Tools. Collaborate with suppliers on product improvements, warranty analysis. Collaborate with retail buying teams on product decisions.

Family-managed motorsports racing team in the TORC (The Off-Road Championship) off-road (closed course) truck racing and Mid-American Stock Car Series pavement stock cars. Designed, fabricated, and maintained race vehicles. Managed the marketing partnerships and activation of sponsorship, procuring more than $180K in funding to support day to day operations. 2006 2nd Place in Mid-American Stock Car Series Points. 2000 2nd Place in TORC Series 2wheel drive truck division. 1995 Rookie of the Year.

New product development of wrenches and hand ratchets. Collaborate with product manager and designer to ensure listening to voice of customer.

Support existing product portfolio. Approve manufacturing deviation requests, evaluate warranty returns. Collaborate with product designer and product manager.

Cooperative education program with Marquette University. Worked on smaller, short-term engineering projects, assisted sr design and project engineers on larger work.