Michael J. Probert Career Summary and Objectives I’m an experienced consumer products professional with a proven track record in global sourcing, purchasing, supply chain/vendor management and product development. My focused industries and consumer product sector's include: Promotional Products/Gifts, Watches/Jewelry, Pet, Toy & Hobby, Home Furnishings, Housewares, Sporting Goods and Packaging/OV Assembly. My background includes lengthy associations with JCPenney (NYC Buying Office), Avon Products (NYC-Product Marketing, Development, Sourcing and Merchandising for their Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Gift divisions), Cendant-Trilegiant (Membership Club-Catalog-Netmarket.com Internet "Super Store"),Myron Corporation (Maywood, New Jersey-Product Development-Merchandise Manager), and most recently with Hartz Mountain Corporation (Secaucus, New Jersey) were I successfully managed domestic and overseas sourcing, purchasing, product cost negotiation and supply chain “on time” requirements, driving sales and merchandising initiatives for $70mm annual spend). Consumer products industry experience includes brand management and the execution of marketing and retail strategic plans across multiple selling channels, including catalog, retail, internet, direct marketing and telemarketing. Core skills and competencies include managing co-operative advertising programs, inventory management (sku performance maximization), product forecasting, cost negotiation/ vendor management, competitive analysis and market trending. While I enjoy and thrive on “hands on” execution, I’ve successfully managed a buying/merchandising staff of 16 direct reports, building a solid reputation for team leadership, systems training and mentoring while applying my diverse and cross functional background to achieve measurable results quickly. Michael J. Probert [email protected] (201) 783-9815
Hartz Mountain Corporation, Secaucus, NJ, US, Senior Buyer - Global Sourcing/Procurement
Global Sourcing (China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) for a wide variety of finished goods and components, including Plastics, Metals, Pet Toys/Accessories, Edibles.
Procurement responsibilities for $70mm in annual spend.
Vendor management and product price negotiation. Manage/create positive PPV.
Procurement liason with six of Hartz major marketing/product categories.
Myron Corporation, Maywood, New Jersey, Product Development/Merchandising Manager
Directed global product development for over 60% of Myron's portfolio of B2B and customer direct promotional and business gifts, including calenders, datebooks, notepads, novelty electronics, leather goods and travel/personal accessories.
Coordinated two annual trips to Asia to work with a supplier base in China and Malaysia. Trade show attendance (Canton Fair, Hong Kong (Kenfair), Macau, Shenzhen)
Merchandised Myron's (2X per year) gift catalog, with responsibility for over 50% of its contents.
Trilegiant (Cendant Membership Services), Trumbull, CT, US, Director - Catalog/Internet Procurement and Merchandising
Led merchandising/procurement teams (Merchandise Managers/Buyers) for a variety of product categories supporting Trilegiant-Cendant's Shoppers Advantage catalog (issued 12 X per year) and the Netmarket.com internet "superstore".
Product categotries included: Gifts/Accessories, Toy/Hobby, Electronics, Housewares, Home Furnishings, TV's/Computers and Jewelry/Watches.
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, US, Masters, History
American History, with a focus on Colonial and Early America.
Teaching Assistant during both years of study.
Research director for the Rhode Island Historical Society
Member: American Association of University Professors
Member: Psi Alpha Theta Honor Society of History
Saint Michaels College, Winooski, VT, US, Bachelors, Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Member: Psi Alpha Theta Honor Society of History, 1st Place
