Lead the creation of the products that support the brand’s strategic objectives within the cost, timing, and quality requirements. Lead the package engineering and sourcing for new product launches, and promotional initiatives based on creative ideation of the brand team. Deliver on brand DNA,sustainability, and quality objectives. Manage & develop the Product Development team.

Purchases inventoried items to meet demand forecast. Owns vendor relationships to create new products, mitigate costs, and provide consistent quality goods. Works within interdepartmental teams and reports to leadership on supply chain functions and new product launches. A key member of teams that forecast, plan cash flow, develop new products.

Marketed across all product categories: CBD, Health & Beauty, Flavors, Fragrance. Sold natural, raw ingredients for flavor and fragrance applications. Managed account relationships, with global health and beauty brands. - Product Launch: Launched newly developed health and beauty supplements, prompting its own emerging market. Introduced acquired CBD product line. Increased current and new business.- Market Analysis: Analyzed competition to recommend products for customer portfolios.Expanded brand; built accounts as customers purchased additional products, and developedcategories.- Collaboration: Worked with sales team, supply chain, marketing, and R&D to shareobservations, trends, game plans, and best practices. Provided insight to customers on global sourcing options and timing for maximizing buying power and sales.- Strategy: With executive presence, presented annual sales and marketing plans tointerdisciplinary leadership teams (CEO, Finance, Sales, R&D, Marketing). Contributed to short- and long-term team projections. Advised leadership on customers’ product needs and wants.- Project Management: Consulted with long-term customers, with quick 6-month turnaround. Liaised between customers and internal chemists to create natural fragrances. Coordinatedlogistics and timelines, shipping to various 3rd party vendors. Consistently met customerexpectations re: timeline, budget, quality.

Managed a procurement budget of $15 million annually for the Aura Cacia aromatherapy brand. Purchased essential oils, vegetable, and specialty oils, and packaging components. Negotiated contracts with vendors, co-manufacturers; engaged in supplier management and rating systems.Negotiation: Identified and negotiated with contract manufacturers for body care products: Colorado Quality Products. Saved $130,000 annually by switching supplier of Lavender essential oil.Business Acumen: Reported to the Executive Leadership on strategic purchasing objectives: projected costs, cost-savings initiatives. Balanced cost reduction with quality, consistency, and sustainability of natural resources. Maintained <2% out-of-stock rate during the largest growth of the Aura Cacia brand in 2009.People Leader: Direct supervision of employees, collaborated with a team of Operations, Quality, and Leadership. Gave performance reviews, and managed employee development.Quality: Engaged in problem-resolution when natural products did not meet consistent specifications. Created supplier rating system.Global Sourcing: Traveled globally to source ingredients, validated new suppliers, ensured sustainability of resources. Purchased Wintergreen essential oil from Nepal to help market a new variety of oil. Assessed risks to supply chain, advising senior management team.Consumer Relations: Presented sourcing stories, videos, and photos to co-op members, and customers. Developed projects and give-back programs within an internal certification program called Well Earth. Organized trips to source in Morocco for retail customers: Whole Foods and Sprouts.Sustainability: Oversaw project to build a school in Madagascar. Gave harvesting tools to farmers in Senegal.Packaging: Partnered with global manufacturers of high-quality glass, plastic and corrugate. Learned to anticipate lead times, assess quality and types of packaging. Advised marketing team on timeline, costs, for product launches.

Developed Individual Habilitation Plans (IHPs) for clients with developmental disabilities in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements and agency goalsDirectly managed a staff of 15 including direct care providers, an assistant manager, and a registered nurseOversaw operations of the ICF-MR facility to ensure financial, medical, and safety needs for the clients were met

Provided customer service, claims assistance, and benefit explanation to members of CIGNA’s planTriaged member calls in stressful and crisis situations, showed members empathy and support while connecting them with behavioral health professionals