Kathryn Flouton Email & Phone Number

California, United States

A high output, solutions oriented senior exec supporting top retail and CPG leaders and their teams grow, learn and excel. I'm a passionate product innovation + commercialization expert sitting squarely between marketing and operations. I bring more than two decades of operating experience in both brick and mortar retail and direct-to-consumer (DTC) high growth startups, retailers and brands. I use my diverse experience and unique perspective on both retail and DTC to implement business strategies that fuel growth and consumer loyalty. Visit my website for more information - www.kathrynflouton.com

Providence, Rhode Island, Us

Providence, Rhode Island, Us

Member of the Board of Directors; Executive Committee Member

Oakland, California, Us

Fractional executive head of merchandising, innovation, culinary and category management/purchasing.o Onboarded to lead change management in culture, innovation, process improvementso Established new organizational plan and restructuringo Developed and implemented strategy to grow through food innovation, partnerships and enhanced DTC retail merchandising

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Interim Chief Merchant supporting the category management, operations, pricing, demand planning, and data analytics functions across food team. Led organizational change management at a particularly chaotic time in the company.

Redwood City, Ca, Us

Executive head of product innovation, ops/product supply chain and strategy, responsible for growth and stewardship of NatureBox’s food portfolio and leading the end to end consumer product experience and supply chain, marketing, consumer insights and success, operations and food product development. Key Achievements:o Created and defined standards and processes by which NatureBox developed exclusive foodso Launched more than 150 proprietary skus from ideation to commercialization driving upwards 50% YoY growth across multiple channels hitting margin targetso Hired, developed and promoted team members up and across the organizationo Structured an LLC to launch Wellness by NatureBox under NatureBox, Inc

Wichita, Ks, Us

Visionary leader responsible for all aspects of merchandising and product assortment / development across multiple channels in a highly competitive specialty food marketplace. Cultivated go to market plan for branding, public relations and marketing efforts. Key Achievements:o Strategized brand alignment across all Dean & DeLuca properties with a key focus on international licensee partners (Asia, Middle East)o Managed P&L of $85m across multiple business lineso Transformed proprietary private label categories across channelso Led the re-branding and re-merchandising efforts for the restoration and relaunch for Oakville Grocery Company, another entity in the LRICo portfolio in Napa Valley, CA.

Midvale, Utah, Us

Defined and implemented strategic plans for a meaningful in-store food presence; collaborated and coordinated across multiple functions and departments to achieve objectives. Assembled, trained and coached cross-functional team to support business-growth needs and build new channel of business; sourced, negotiated with and managed outside suppliers. Compiled and analyzed metrics which defined further business development decisions; monitored and refined initiatives to maximize impact; developed policies and procedures to govern operations and programs. Managed project requirements and priorities to meet deadlines on time and on budget.Key Achievements:o Crafted and presented to Board of Directors a concise strategic plan for new initiatives within 4 months and restructured existing initiative, doubling business within 1 year.o Created company's largest store-within-store food concept to date by launching key hybrid initiative that involved successful elements from multiple tests, within 6 months from proposal to implementation. o Instrumental in cultivating strategic partnership with Cost Plus World Market to improve store-within-store food shop tests across 3 markets within weeks after employment.o Restructured product assortment architecture, improving category management, through data analysis and SKU rationalization, significantly improving ability to meet demographic's needs.o Collaborated with company subsidiaries to eliminate duplication, improve communication and leverage buying power.

Monrovia, California, Us

Researched trends and developed relevant, exceptional private label products / product lines and negotiated manufacturer / supplier partnerships to bring best-in-class items to market many still on shelves today; built exceptional vendor relationships that continue presently, optimizing costs along the way. Conducted detailed analyses of assortment and store needs to manage multiple perishable and non perishable categories and develop forward thinking strategies to grow revenue. Interacted extensively among internal teams and departments; tracked product performance to support development as each category required. Led teams across all relevant functions; developed product information tools; motivated teams to excellent performance.Key Achievements:o Developed and launched hundreds of innovative private-label products in multiple categories, contributing millions of dollars in revenue along with growing market share and reputation.o Played integral role in developing internal, interdepartmental best practices for product development, from concept through implementation, including nutrition, package design, advertising and in-store merchandising.

Monrovia, California, Us

Established and built supplier / manufacturer relationships worldwide to provide top-quality, unique products to delight customers and spur revenues, focusing on growth of new private-label product lines across categories - specific focus on Produce category for majority of tenure in this role. Participated on and presented to internal tasting panel tasked with product selection, improvement and approval. Partnered with design team to manage concept-to-market projects and with merchandise coordinators / buyers to resolve logistics and vendor issues as necessary.Key Achievements:o Directed development and launch of numerous private-label products that provided multimillion-dollar revenues while expanding market share and public image. o Grew the perishable fresh produce category 30%+ within 3 years, surpassing $1B in revenue and gaining rank as largest single category organization-wide.o Managed P&L of $1B+ categoryo Instrumental in converting regional categories into national categories, eliminating duplication while leveraging buying power and increasing profits.o Helped implement store development strategy to focus on store perimeter to support growth in produce category and all perishables.o Experienced in JIT (just in time), cross-dock and inventoried warehouse operations.o Planned and managed successful transition to new ERP.

Monrovia, California, Us

Oversaw buying functions, developing and managing exceptional relationships with existing suppliers while sourcing new suppliers. Managed inventory and replenishment buying; served as resource for resolving complex problems at all levels, from logistics and transportation through in-store merchandising.Key Achievements:o Rapidly acquired buying expertise and earned promotion to category manager after only 6 months.o Introduced "opportunity buy" concept along with best practices that drove $20M incremental revenue in first year of implementation.

Zurich, Zurich, Ch

Responsible for the success of increased sales, developing grassroots marketing campaigns, and launching business development for one of the leading global language learning and cultural exchange organizations in the world. Managed large and small teams; developed mentorship programs, cross functional and organizational development and collaboration. Additional experience in human resources recruiting for various divisions of the organization. Key Achievements:o Managed teams of 5-25 direct reports with indirect reports of up to 30 field staff eacho Solved complex communication problems with diplomacyo Promoted up and across 5 business units during my tenureo Global team alignment across multiple business units

Palmetto, Fl, Us

Implemented successful integrated marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns for the largest family entertainment company in the world. Key Achievementso Planned and directed effective and comprehensive promotional campaigns for both Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Walt Disney's World On Ice. o Expanded existing business, negotiated partnerships, and developed new business while conducting extensive market research.

Ba, Social Psychology; Marketing

Marketing/Marketing Management