Karen Smith Email & Phone Number

Kitchener, Ontario

Account manager specializing in various aspects of marketing collateral and displays for all industry sectors. Understanding the business organization and retail industry allows appropriate project planning, account development, extensive client service, valuable project management/procurement/logistics benefits.

Oversaw $1.5 million membership program incorporated between the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and the three print partners (OTA Print Solutions).Gathered, organized, evaluated print data material and constructed baseline comparisons for the OTA members for possible cost savings ranging from 20% to 40%.Composed written recommendations and observation reports for consultants to present findings to the OTA members.Constructed various memos, bulletins, proposals, weekly progress… Show more Oversaw $1.5 million membership program incorporated between the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) and the three print partners (OTA Print Solutions).Gathered, organized, evaluated print data material and constructed baseline comparisons for the OTA members for possible cost savings ranging from 20% to 40%.Composed written recommendations and observation reports for consultants to present findings to the OTA members.Constructed various memos, bulletins, proposals, weekly progress and sales reports for senior partners. Show less

Project management:Oversaw senior clients' accounts within Canada and USA: Kohl’s, Dillard’s, Sears, Home Depot and Belk’s.Directed senior client account projects and led top-performing teams in meeting or exceeding client production and timeline expectations. Took immediate action to ensure complete client satisfaction.Provided clients with project updates and measureable progress reports.Developed tagging systems, met client requirements for product identification and devised… Show more Project management:Oversaw senior clients' accounts within Canada and USA: Kohl’s, Dillard’s, Sears, Home Depot and Belk’s.Directed senior client account projects and led top-performing teams in meeting or exceeding client production and timeline expectations. Took immediate action to ensure complete client satisfaction.Provided clients with project updates and measureable progress reports.Developed tagging systems, met client requirements for product identification and devised strategic production programs.Ensured complete compliance with required client routing guidelines from Toronto and the U.S.A. Purchasing:Measured current logistic carriers’ performances and strategically renegotiated contracts in response to supplier evaluations to ensure on-time/target delivery while reducing expenditures by 25%.Improved materials purchasing processes by 35% to 45% through astrategic consolidation of office supplies and paper substrates required for manufacturing. Show less

Purchasing Agent: Managed overall purchase process and performed an ABC analysis for all company purchased items.Devised and implemented strategies focused on alignment of purchasing objectives, the company’s cost-cutting measures, and inventory reduction.Defined purchasing controls and cultivated strategic relationships with suppliers to advance just-in-time operations and improve quality of materials, scheduling, and uninterrupted supply.Account Executive… Show more Purchasing Agent: Managed overall purchase process and performed an ABC analysis for all company purchased items.Devised and implemented strategies focused on alignment of purchasing objectives, the company’s cost-cutting measures, and inventory reduction.Defined purchasing controls and cultivated strategic relationships with suppliers to advance just-in-time operations and improve quality of materials, scheduling, and uninterrupted supply.Account Executive Coordinator:Managed Hudson Bay Company, Zellers and Home Outfitters, the company’s largest accounts.Selected to manage special print process project for Canadian Foundation Research for Aids. Show less

Expertly directed the overall administration and production processes for each client account. Selected and managed vendors in completion of complex print projects.Estimated projects and ordered materials through outside suppliers.Analyzed project cost versus project projections.

Ba, Business, Economics

Additional Education & Certifications: Material Requirement Planning, Conestoga College 2008 Microsoft Project Level 1, Edge on Training.

Project Management Program, Project Management, A

Fundamentals of Project Management - completed June 2010 Project Communications & Human Resource Management - completed August 2010.