Karen Dashtizad Email & Phone Number

San Diego, California

San Diego, CA

• Oversaw $9M assortment plan within zoo and aquarium gift shops. Lead largest YOY increase in incremental business 2018-2019.
• Sourced, developed, and managed dynamic product assortments to support departmental and store goals, align with partner institutions, and maximize sales potential by executing an elevated gift shop experience at all.
• Product categories: Bottles, Mugs, Drinkware, Barware, Keychains, Magnets, Stickers, Stationery, Accessories, Keepsakes, Giftables.
• Initiated custom product development, both domestic and import; Built strong & healthy global supply chain relationships and negotiate with vendors to achieve best pricing, terms, delivery, and product quality.
• Traveled domestically and internationally to trade shows, vendor meetings, and factories; Consistently stayed on industry and market pulse regarding product and category innovations, trends, and pricing.
• Visited stores to evaluate merchandise mix and meet with venue partners to ensure full understanding of the venue experience and partner needs and objectives.

Los Angeles, California

• Researched & developed new company-wide product categories and opened over $10M in new business within top key accounts. Key categories: Stationery and Home Accent.
• Created internal documents/presentations outlining key products, target pricing, profitability, market competition, materials, specs, packaging, trends, testing/compliancy requirements, and production resources for new.
• Oversaw development & production for key accounts: Michaels, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Brighton.
• Ensured timely turnover of development/production and take corrective action to all product life cycle issues that could cause delays.
• Worked with overseas factories to locate viable trend, budget, and quality-appropriate materials and suppliers.
• Partnered with 3rd party labs to guarantee all products are tested to comply with US, Canada, and European market regulations.

Los Angeles, California

• Oversaw development of new slipper division within company for 2012-2013; totaling approximately 400 SKUs. Key categories: Toys and Plush.
• Daily collaboration with factories & designers from concept to design, development, and packaging.
• Sourced viable trend, budget, and quality-appropriate materials and suppliers for all company-wide products.
• Reviewed all prototypes and recommended enhancements to designs and materials that maintained product aesthetic and functionality while achieving financial goals.
• Sourced alternate manufacturing venues to achieve quality, financial strategies, and balanced factory base for adequate production capacity.
• Communicated target costs to factories to develop within budget. Negotiated material & finished goods cost and maintained accurate costing sheets.

San Diego, California

• Provided comprehensive client services, and served as the initial point of contact regarding all communication. Maintained excellent client and product knowledge and command of client relationship management (CRM).
• Coordinated new business implementation with new clients, formulated creative marketing materials & strategies and oversaw roll-out and orientation events. Conducted in-person and online training and orientation.
• Provided Corporate Relations and Executive team with client statistics and trends pertaining to business development.
• Traveled to represent ACI Specialty Benefits at health fairs, training/orientation presentations, trade shows, & client meetings.

San Diego, California

Bachelor Of Arts, Communications & Economics

Activities and Societies: Andres Bonifacio Samahan Pilipino Organization

Professional Designation, Merchandise Marketing

Activities and Societies: Magna Cum Laude