Melinda Prevish Adkins Email & Phone Number

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

• Collaborated with multi-functional teams: sales, design, production, CPG customers, and suppliers to deliver custom POP merchandising displays and packaging, while prioritizing safety, quality, cost, and productivity. • Fostered internal and external USA and Canada customer relationships with confidence to ensure successful project completion. • Managed administrative aspects: Reviewed temporary and semi-permanent POP displays with multiple materials, parts, and print specifications to procure costs for customer quotes. Calculated additional production costs and design charges as required.• Supplied to customers and suppliers: Material, print, die line specifications, design and assembly documents, art, and price quotes. • Approved, tracked and organized more than 500 pre-production art files and proofs, ensuring accurate sizes and colors.

Glendale Heights, Illinois, United States

•Defined project scope, managed, and led the planning and implementation of a new consumer website, TruLuvGifts with over 600 personal accessories, gift and home decor, and artisan products•Oversaw and maintained creative development of brand identity: logo, tag line, and packaging •Utilized expertise in sales, merchandising, purchasing, operations and sourcing, to ensure the objectives and concept is a successful and a growth-oriented business•Hired and approved contracts of independent consultants: web developers and programmers, photographers, copywriters, graphic designers, customer service, and packaging companies•Trained and managed outside customer service company to reinforce company and brand to customers•Negotiated wholesale prices, terms, and freight to achieve profitable margins•Sourced Trade and Artisan Shows and industry periodicals to plan product assortments and procure artisans, craftspeople, and vendors•Developed exclusive products with artisans and craftspeople•Initiated and maintained Access data base for inventory, purchase orders, and reports•Implemented promotional programs for social media and website using shopping cart software, Interspire•Wrote copy and edited images for website and marketing collateral: product descriptions, web page content, email and direct mail campaigns, social media outlets, and research surveys

Niles, Illinois, United States

•Involved in restructuring field sales organization from fixed to variable-based model by increasingfield sales representation which resulted in G&A expense reduced by $350,000+ annually.•Negotiated commissions and sales contracts for independent sales organizations.•Trained field sales reps one-on-one in Territory and National Trade Shows: sales goals, product information and benefits, product placement, and strategies to overcome buyer resistance.•Formulated quarterly and yearly sales goals and recommended strategies and incentives for achieving them. •Researched new product and line changes to improve sales and profitability within margin requirements.•Created a monthly newsletter focusing on policies, product updates, inventory status, and sales tips.•Managed product placement, design, and personnel in corporate showroom Atlanta Gift Market.•Developed key account relationships to generated $31K new business in 2010, including LTD Commodities.•Increased current account sales by 3% over previous year, in a $1M+ Territory. •Initiated creative designs for exclusive private label products from concept to completion with product development managers to increased account sales.•Implemented and executed comprehensive drop-ship program to retain $1M account, AAFES catalog and Internet; resulted in $40K additional sales from the retail division.•Led product development and new category offerings to drive +77% sales for CIG Catalog /NLC Products.

Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States

•Researched and developed innovative unique awards and gifts for an 18,000 person sales team. •Facilitated in doubling the number of promotional winners with enticing and unique rewards. •Implemented wholesale buying which resulted in annual budget savings of over $167,000.•Negotiated pricing and terms for three departments with a total annual budget of $353,000. •Developed four corporate promotional programs with outside vendors: website development, product selection and copy, sales analysis, and contractual financial terms.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

.•Managed and trained 4 independent sales rep organizations to increase product placement and sales.•Motivated and supported outside sales representatives which increased sales by 18%. •Launched and responsible for first-ever seasonal outlet store: personnel, promotions, accounting, inventory.•Managed trade and gift shows: sales, design, product selections, contracts.•Managed sales forecast, inventory, delivery, and cost to maintain margins requirements and reduced losses by 30%.•In compliance with vendor direction, monitored factory samples prior to production: approved colors, designs, and finishes for private label projects.

Multi-line sales representative for gift and consumer products selling to independent retailers in Los Angeles, Simi and San Fernando Valley, Long Beach and San Pedro.Retained customer base, of 300 accounts and increased sales by analyzing market-trends, inventory management, and supporting retailer's marketing plans-open houses, demonstrations,etc.Increased account base 20% by initiating leads through cold-calls and continued customer relations.Ranked as #1 sales performer for multiple lines.Attended trade shows to open new accounts, and educate retailers on best industry trends to increase their business.

Los Angeles, California

Responsible for placing gift timepieces in retail locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Included cold-calling to new retailers, servicing current accounts, and selling product category at trade shows.