Zilian C. Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Oversaw innovation:- Developed long-term innovation strategies and translated them into actionable plans and annual goals. - Built and managed a multi-year innovation pipeline. Guide team in discovering and evaluating innovation whitespaces. Led ideations, concept development, product design & development and commercialization. - Built the company’s innovation process and strengthened innovation capabilities by coaching team on opportunities identification, concept development, product design and consumer research. - Oversaw consumer learning and experimentation on all new product development.

Helped businesses achieve their growth goals with insights-driven strategies and plans. Served as project leader or full-time interdisciplinary team member on projects 3-15 weeks.Clients: General Mills, IDEO, The Culinary Edge innovation consultancy, Pacific Catch restaurantSample projects: (i) create 5-year new product product roadmap, (ii) build strategies to re-invigorate a category, (iii) identify innovation whitespaces for a foodservice channel, (iv) design a go-to-market strategy for a technology venture, (v) test new product concepts with consumers.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Served as General Mill's central consumer expert and strategist for the snack occasion. Built the organization's arsenal of snacking knowledge and insights to inform business decisions, strategy development and marketing needs. Utilized snacking expertise to guide brand teams through multi-day workshops to uncover innovation opportunities and formulate growth strategies. Example projects: - Identify and assess white space for General Mills snack bars portfolio innovation (Nature Valley, Larabar, Fiber One); - Develop core growth strategies for yogurt, natural & organic snacks, salty snacks and dessert brands

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Led consumer learning and experimentation to innovate in new breakfast segments and consumer needs. Oversaw research design and execution, and insights application across the new product development process from insight discovery, opportunity definition & exploration, solution generation, prototyping and TPO development to post launch optimization. Enabled the launch of 4 new product lines (3 national and 2 regional) and the development of a robust multi-year innovation pipeline.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Managed Pillsbury’s $300MM breakfast portfolio spanning 6 P&Ls and a $30MM integrated marketing campaign. Responsible for (i) developing strategies and plans to achieve business goals, (ii) leading a cross-functional team in implementing the plan and (iii) managing the day-to-day activities of the business including pricing, advertising, product development, packaging, trade and consumer promotions, and operational activities.Led cross-functional team in devising and implementing a turnaround plan for Toaster Strudel, resulting in volume +8%.Led agency teams to build and implement a $30MM campaign for Toaster Strudel. Included TV advertising, digital & social activations, instore promotions, coupons and PR events.Spearheaded codification of Toaster Strudel's brand identity including the brand's purpose, beliefs, values, personality, voice and visual identity.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Managed the Muir Glen business, the #1 organic tomato brand in the U.S. Responsibilities included P&Ls oversight, brand strategy and marketing plan development and execution. Led repositioning of the Muir Glen brand with a new brand manifesto, modern package design, always-on content strategy, stronger social presence and launch of an ambassador program.Oversaw development and commercialization of 6 new products to protect share at largest customer.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Steered a cross-functional team to deliver $35MM of cost savings through supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies. Responsible for driving projects, building an opportunities pipeline and getting leadership buy-in and support. Launched Yoplait’s first sustainability campaign including a recycling pilot with Waste Management and the City of Denver. Increased test market’s yogurt cup recycling rates by 2x and boosted Yoplait’s brand perception.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

Led new product development and commercialization for the Progresso Soup business- Launched a line of globally inspired soups- Led 5-year innovation pipeline strategy and development Oversaw Progresso’s $100MM Specialty Foods portfolio. - Developed and implemented marketing plan including promotions with branded partners, food bloggers and celebrity chefs. - Launched 2 new products and rationalized the portfolio via the discontinuation of 2 product lines

Greenwich, Connecticut, Us

Managed due diligence teams in evaluating investments and developed investment recommendations. Resulted in acquisition of a $300MM petroleum hauler and $230MM machinery maker. Grew existing investments with (i) $15MM ethanol distribution alliance and (ii) $18MM acquisition to expand geographic reach.

New York, New York, Us

- Assessed mergers, acquisitions and financing transactions. - Researched companies and industries, built financial models and prepared new business pitches - Lead analyst on 4 acquisitions valued at $3.5BN and the Orbitz' $300MM IPO

Mba, Marketing, Management Strategy

Bachelor Of Arts, Computer Science, Economics