Engaged to advise and develop sales and marketing strategies, focusing on in-store marketing and promotional programs, digital marketing campaigns, direct mail and consumer research.

Recruited to create a vision beyond the current landscape of the confection business, identify category building ideas and work cross-functionally within Hershey and the CVS organization to develop identified opportunities. Provided leadership for a team of three; successfully promoted individuals within Hershey and rebuilt the team, while executing traditional category management activities.

Developed and executed integrated business plan to all US Retail Chains in lens care and OTC pharmaceutical businesses. Played a key role defining strategic consumer targets, internalizing core consumer requirements, and translating raw data into stronger, more impactful ideas, customer solutions and experiences to drive business results. Leveraged core competencies utilizing collaborative skills, with a strong bias for “documentable impact” – influencing and driving the organization to deliver tangible results. Led Private Brand business, which included new product development, creating promotion and pricing strategies, and evaluating retailer contracts for renewal.Held P&L responsibility for trade budget, and provided leadership for one senior level manager.

Authored and executed strategic category leadership platforms, derived from category and shopper insights, fostering vision and thoughtful leadership and delivering category management best practice recommendations for retail partners across all classes of trade. Served as Category Management and analytics expert to the team; sharing best practices and coaching to ensure effective execution of category tools and initiatives by direct reports. As Director led and developed team of seven Trade Programs Managers.

Delivered strategic input and analytical support to sales team in development and achievement of customer goals and priorities including distribution, shelving, merchandising, and pricing. Director of category management efforts in Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and CVS, building customer partnerships in the category advisor role. Held responsibility for one manager.