Leah Batstone-Cunningham Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Bayport, Minnesota, United States

Cottage Grove, Minnesota, United States

I am a functional leader, sourcing new purchased part components within New and Ongoing Product Development, focusing primarily on priority projects across Andersen Corporation, both at Renewal by Andersen and within the Andersen Division. I work cross-functionally with internal partners (including RD&I, Supply Chain, Operations, and IT), and internal & external suppliers to drive component development based on technical requirements, cost goals, and timelines and create reliable and robust component supply chains.

St Paul, Minnesota, United States

Focused on improving and expanding our Target Lighting (D74 & 97) and Furniture (D249) businesses, mine was a role centered around positive collaboration. I led on pitches and negotiations with the goal of improving margin health for our existing assortment and creating growth with placement of new items, initiated and facilitated internal cross functional work to develop sales strategy and product innovation, and worked to identify efficiencies within existing business processes and opportunities for improved resource management.

Minneapolis, Mn

Given the opportunity to grow in my role at Blu Dot, I managed my own customer accounts. Some of my responsibilities included: Developing, from inspiration to concept to shipment, branded and non-branded furniture shipping to Target and Target.com. Directing the Design and Engineering teams to design, model, and engineer new products based on customer objectives or internal ideation. Leading cost negotiations with suppliers through our Shanghai-based team.Guiding final development steps once POs have been placed, including reviewing and approving finishes, fabrics, carton markings, and artwork, overseeing and editing assembly instructions, and providing product specs and material properties so that CGI can be created.Coordinating with the Supply Chain team to resolve any product delays that could impact on-time shipments. Providing art direction and styling for product lifestyle photography. Traveling internationally for development and sales meetings, and completion of AQL inspections prior to initial production shipments.Continuing to collaborate with retailers to create incremental sales with items unique to the assortment.

In a role expanded from the Product Development Coordinator position, I participated in development for all of Blu Dot's current and potential custom design accounts. In very simplified terms, I worked with the Product Development Managers and the Blu Dot team in China in order to direct sample procurement and testing. My tasks were not limited to, but I regularly: Directed product safety, quality, and transit testing, including pre-production, top of production, and ongoing annual testing for all custom design itemsProvided product attribute information and creative copy for customer websites.Photographed samples for use in sales presentations, and on customer websites.Managed the warehousing and inventory of all custom design development and production samples.Maintained a mixed material (primarily wood and metal) finish library.Developed relationships with 3PL and M&S companies local to our customers in order to facilitate sample delivery for sales meetings and reviews. Planned and executed air freight, less-than-container load (LCL), and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments to move samples domestically and internationally.

As part of the Custom Design team, I worked with our team in China to coordinate the procurement of product samples for sales purposes, and to ensure that our products were safe for consumers through product testing. I also provided support throughout the development process to the Custom Design Account Managers in whatever way they required.