Understand and forecast market trends. Lead in-depth primary and secondary research with existing customers, prospective customers, and external consultants to identify new market opportunities and customer needs. Scan industry sources to identify competitive shifts that may impact business growth assumptions. Lead the Business, R&D, and Operations teams in developing business cases to support new marketing strategies, projects, and marketing plans. Be the marketing champion for projects in the New Product Development pipeline. Manage key innovation projects to successfully guide them through stage gate process into commercialization.◆ Completed perceived quality profiles for key customers in growth markets, resulting in targeted strategic initiatives for 5-10Y growth plan. ◆ Developed and performed voice of customer survey interviews, identifying unmet needs and “jobs to be done” for potential market adjacencies and growth opportunities.◆ Led management of key strategic growth projects, streamlining supply chain, intellectual property needs and customer partnerships to bring products to market testing ahead of schedule.

Supported M&A efforts by conducting in-depth diligence of commercial elements of acquisition targets. Led the commercial analysis and evaluation of adjacent growth categories, helping to develop actionable strategies to increase Neenah’s participation in desired markets. Aided in the successful execution of other key projects that enabled Neenah’s strategy.

Manage sales portfolio and team of two salespeople, two R&D scientists, and two customer service analysts for B2B transportation filtration market.◆ Secured supply agreements with key target customer, allowing joint strategic initiatives to proceed.◆ Designed global pricing and rebate offer to increase customer sales by 10% year over year.◆ Landed deals with industrial filtration customers, expanding into non-transportation media.◆ Implemented key account methodology to drive business with most valuable customers.

After Fibermark acquisition, promoted to integrate and oversee the North American Customer Service team, with locations in Massachusetts, Michigan and Wisconsin. Managed daily activities of the NA Customer Service and West Springfield facility teams (9 direct reports, 5 indirect). ◆ Streamlined order handling to reduce order entry from hours to minutes, allowing customer serviceteams to expand focus on sales support and increase customer satisfaction.◆ Ensured internal controls (SOX compliance) were implemented and executed to demonstrateeffectiveness. Reduced non-compliance findings to zero after two years.◆ Created and managed Key Performance Indicators for customer service. Implemented team metricsand standard employee reviews, in some cases for the first time.◆ Led a cross-functional team to revise and automate pricing administration. Dropped order entry timefrom 45 minutes to ten and reduced order entry pricing errors by 60%.◆ Chosen to attend NeenahNEXT leadership training – exclusive group of 16 high-potential individualsfrom around the globe for a six-month training and project team experience. Developed and presentedM&A integration strategies that are being used by corporate team on current and future acquisitions.

Managed 11 direct salaried reports including: Customer Service, Planning, Materials Handling, Shipping, Outside Processing and Raw Materials Purchasing. Managed the Materials Handling hourly staff at a union facility. Oversaw inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods.◆ Coordinated and led the first mill-wide finished goods inventory performed in ten years. Completedin half the time budgeted and within expected accrual for adjustments. Developed projectmanagement tools still currently used for annual inventory counts.◆ Implemented a winter procurement plan, eliminating production delays from weather delayedincoming raw materials.◆ Organized effort to outsource production of coated media, dropping customer lead times from 17weeks to standard 8 weeks while protecting key intellectual property.◆ Promoted while 8 months pregnant. In 8 weeks, learned key processes and developed training guidesfor team, who seamlessly executed during the maternity absence.

Directed the development, marketing and sales of two global product lines. Achieved volume and financial objectives through development and implementation of strategic plans and programs. Led business and product development projects. Managed vendor relationships, including negotiating contracts and defining expectations for delivery and product quality. Oversee key customer relationships. Determined and communicated pricing to customer and customer service teams. Dotted line management responsibilities for sales, customer service, and research and development. Project management of all product integration/launches/changes throughout implementation. Identified the business and operational requirements based upon the objectives of each product.

Oversaw intellectual property (IP) processes, including those for patents, trademarks and trade secrets. Managed the global patent and trademark portfolios. Liaison between inventors and counsel to secure IP protection on new product developments. Traveled internationally to train and support worldwide sales, marketing and business development organizations. Managed competitive IP activity report. Led brainstorming activities to fence build around key patents.

Published accurate and user friendly technical service manuals. Created internal and external technical bulletins communicating critical updates and instructions. Established objectives for technical documentation projects. Managed documentation deadlines and objectives for dynamic machinery projects. Ensured that machinery revisions were documented by coordinating with engineering and production.

Independently managed pre-sales research and reporting at over 20 paper mills throughout the U.S.. Was the primary liaison between Honeywell and various paper mills. Identified sales opportunities based on analysis of machine drawings, data collection and interpersonal research. Created training manuals and trained paper machine operators and engineers in the use of process control equipment and software.