Leah Thomas Email & Phone Number

Pooler, Georgia, United States

United States

• Develop point of sale merchandising displays and supporting marketing materials for all brands• Maintain annual event calendar and analyze return on investment for each opportunity toprioritize best use of marketing budget• Coordinate networking and cultivate relationships with all store/dealer locations• Develop and maintain cohesive marketing themes, strategy, and plans• Increase overall brand awareness and engagement

Savannah, Georgia Area

• Creates and manages annual events calendar to include trade shows, dealer events, company-related functions and seamlessly communicates all details to Sales Team.• Reviews new event opportunities and strategizes ROI for expanding the Sales Team's reach in new territories • Responsible for event budget allocation with an emphasis on delivering exceptional results while staying within budget parameters• Develops event concepts and finds ways to improve cost and efficiency while delivering premium, high-quality experiences to include planning all details of interactive demonstrations and immersive experience displays for consumers• Responsible for booth selection, sponsorships, logistical elements, requisitions, payments and invoices for all trade shows (50+)• Engages with vendors to submit Request for Quotes (RFQ’s), change orders, and ensures budgetary responsibility for all event-related expenses• Coordinates with corporate travel manager to facilitate hotel and airfare accommodations for major trade shows and/or events under his/her purview • Responsible for sourcing feedback, writing and submitting post-event after-action reports and implementing corrective plans • Manages all testing and evaluation planning and inventory for Marketing team. This includes management of serialized firearm inventory and FFL transfers with Compliance Manager.• Maintains all product orders for marketing related charitable donations and communications with recipients

Summerville, Sc

Managed a team of 3 graphic designers and marketing associates to ensure all deadlines and needs for each company were met.Worked closely with major publications such as Firearms News, Guns & Ammo, Shooting Sports Retailer, NRA Publications, etc to keep writers' content in abundance, ensuring more brand recognition for American Tactical, Inc and all imported brandsAppeared on television, youTube interviews, and press conferences as a brand ambassador and expert to explain and release new merchandiseDesigned advertisements for major print publications and online placement.Gave creative direction and storyboard supervision for all video publications.Responsible for the entire planning and designing process of 3 major trade shows (SHOT Show, NRA Annual Meeting, and NASGW Annual Meeting) and multiple small scale trade show booths. Organized and shipped all merchandise and their displays. Also designed all signage, advertisements, flyers and any other marketing materials necessary.Planned and hosted an annual trade show event for AmChar Wholesale, to include communication with vendors (firearms, ammunition, and accessory), attendees, exhibitor services, and venues. Organized all events, parties, and dinners for the 4 day show.Planned "Glock Day" and Grand Opening events for retail locations.Responsible for the website and social media maintenance for both companies.

Charleston, South Carolina Area

Independently led merchandising projects between Product Development, Sales, Marketing and Manufacturing departments to ensure a smooth flow through the system to meet deadlines and customer expectations. Oversaw project tracking until completion and addressed and resolved issues/problems as they occurred to eliminate project delays. Aligned efforts to ensure departmental priorities were attained. Managed royalty brands (Mossy Oak, Under Armour, GoldToe). Created educational materials, updated trend presentations, and designed innovative and inviting salespresentations to ensure Sales Teams maintained an expert level reputation with customersDirected catalog for each season by providing accurate product information, proofreading for errors andorganizing all necessary samples for photography and trade shows

Greenville, South Carolina Area

• Developed and maintained replenishment inventory of precut fabric products for Wal-Mart, JoAnn’s, AC Moore, Hancock Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Spotlight, Darice, Tuesday Morning, Michaels, Fabric.com• Supervised rollout of a test program in Target stores and for Target.com. Directed the product development process from inception, prototype, specification, costing, and ordering to delivery. Was primary champion of the product, its consumer acceptance and profit performance. • Managed lines contributed approximately 36% to company revenue. 8-10% growth each year. • Provided analysis on top performers and reported results to management to replicate successes through new product development. • Product lines were 30% ‘basic’ replenishment and 70% ‘fashion.’ Created fresh and new programs and contributed fabric design ideas. Invented new packaging concepts. Designed new display fixtures to maximize the consumer shopping experience. • Communicated with all departments to expedite execution of all deadlines to meet tight delivery dates.• Sourced and negotiated prices and lead times with both international (China, Korea, India and Pakistan) and domestic vendors while maintaining cooperative vendor relationships. Coordinated the arrival of domestic and import goods for combined shipments.• Specialized in planogram design and merchandising in the fabric and craft sector.

Greenville, Sc

• Activated production orders for shipments to customers. Maintained the inventory of all components necessary for production of precut fabric product.• Communicated sales order requirements with production and shipping facilities. • Directed all aspects of manufacturing processes to guarantee on time shipments to customers to avoid customer Directed charge-backs for late or incorrect shipments.

Abbeville, Sc

•Supervised a team of 5 associates in all aspects of supply chain management for a package dye plant•Led daily team meeting for all departments of 100 associates to accomplish Milliken standards.