Sara Belmonte Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Drove campaign projects forward by leading cross-functional execution team, developing work plans, problem solving, directing communication between internal and external teams and ensuring operational efficiency and excellence.Increased awareness of new up & up™ brand by creating execution strategy for Instore marketing campaign. Led cross-functional team to execute several up & up Promotional pieces, including a 2-page magazine spread ad with business reply card. Received Director’s Award for executing Promotional materials.Increased productivity by consolidating eight project meetings into one weekly status. Piloted and successfully implemented new weekly production meeting for marketing campaign projects. Combined all execution milestones into one meeting. Created detailed agenda with time slots and attendees designated for each topic. Served as Expense Management Captain to become subject matter expert. Complied monthly forecast expense grids to present to Finance. Built the 2010 budget/work plan for two instore marketing campaigns. Analyzed costs and calendarized $4MM budget by department and project. Reduced expenses by $100K and improved productivity by partnering with Print Buying and Logistics to improve sign kitting process for May 2009 Personal Care Instore Marketing Transition. Shipped all signs together to reduce the amount of cartons received by the stores. Improved sign execution at store level by 20%. Received VP Award for partnership.

Assisted in development and execution of marketing strategies by initiating project set ups, updating and maintaining project budget, acting as liaison between Merchandising and Management, managing relationships with Creative, Production and Traffic to ensure project implementation.Drove awareness for Target Pharmacy and Clinic Flu Shot events by planning and executing signing elements. Partnered with cross-functional team to develop signing strategy. Communicated with Merchandising and Store Planning to ensure correct signage by store prototype. Over 61% of guests surveyed used signing to understand the program offered instore, which led to 63,000 flu vaccinations in 1376 stores.Streamlined collaborative proofing process by creating and maintaining instore signing elements list for April 2009 Health/HPB merchandise transition. Communicated all sign part numbers and photos to vendor category captains and Merchandise Presentation department to ensure correct and efficient placement on planograms.

Supported the Owned Brand Food product development and package design strategy by leading cross-functional team meetings, creating work plans, communicating with vendors, and leading the packaging process.Led Perishables packaging process by managing package execution of 800 items for five departments. Partnered with Marketing to develop work plans to ensure final artwork reached vendors and printers in time for all Owned Brand launches. Served as Merchandise Coordinator representative on the Owned Brand committee to create new product development and design process. Identified roles and responsibilities and other important steps for Merchandise Coordinators within the new process, which rolled out Summer 2006. Ensured vendor compliance of new trans fat/allergen labeling regulations for all Archer Farms and Market Pantry packages by directing vendor communication. Facilitated meeting with Food Safety and Quality Assurance teams to complete label review process. Coordinated written communication to all Owned Brand vendors.

Led the School-age room activities and created positive learning environment Enhanced morning Kindergarten program by creating and implemented a new curriculum. Introduced weekly/daily lesson plans based on themes. Planned volunteer activities. Administered parent/teacher conferences to discuss child’s strengths and abilities. Received Honor Teach Award.Fostered learning and camaraderie by introducing structure and routine into the School-age Summer Program. Led guided activities for 30 children, ages 5-9. Planned curriculum and organized fieldtrips. Encouraged input from the students for lesson ideas to engage and take ownership in their program.Created positive working environment by mentoring new employees. Set up weekly touch-base sessions to discuss progress, answer questions. Provided suggestions for lesson plan materials and planning activities.