I have 20 years of leadership experience developing and sourcing consumer products from all over the world with a heavy emphasis on Asia and in developing and implementing successful marketing and sales initiatives. I have been responsible for competitive analysis, P&L, pricing, creating and implementing promotional calendars, displays and support materials. I have had responsibility for product strategies from cradle to grave.
I spent my career on the retail, wholesale and consulting side of the consumer products industry. I have long maintained and consistently proven that the ability to understand and analyze the marketplace and establish a competitive advantage transcends product classifications and industries.
Most recently I worked for Turkey’s fastest growing retail chain giving the stores innovative products, a price advantage over other retailers in Turkey and an international product mix that included branded and private label cosmetics, personal care products, trend merchandise, costume jewelry, fashion accessories, sunglasses, general gifts, home décor and more.
Throughout my career I have developed product strategies that were focused on filling voids in the market place with profitable products that were differentiated from other consumer products. I have extensive international experience locating suppliers, developing products and sourcing an extensive range of branded and private label consumer products. The introduction of new products, developing creative solutions, building educating and coaching management teams and improving profitability are some of my areas of expertise.
Key strengths:
-Develop and implement creative solutions focused on offering a competitive advantage
-Motivate people to go beyond their perceived capabilities to levels of greater achievement
-P & L responsible & bottom line focused
-Developed new products and market opportunities
- International product sourcing skills
-Strategic planning
Marketsource, INc., Katonah, NY, US, Consultant
Consultant to manufacturers and importers of a broad range of consumer products
• Successfully developed new sources of supply in Asia for consumer products importers enabling them to reduce their costs without compromising quality. Products included fashion accessories, ceramics, general gift, premiums, school, office and crafts, etc.
• Established OEM relationships in China for a US office furniture manufacturer enabling them to take some production to China reducing their average cost of goods.
• Provided management consulting to mature companies looking to alter their strategic direction in a competitive environment.
• Guided clients in the preparation of presentations to major retailers in classes of trade where they lacked experience.
• Key account sales to select retail chains including Bed, Bath and Beyond and Century 21.
Sedesco, Inc., New York, NY, US, Vice President Sourcing & Business Development
Led the development and sourcing of consumer products for Turkey’s fastest growing retail chain
• Established suppliers in the USA, UK, Thailand, Korea, Israel, India, Germany, China.
• Sourced, developed products and placed orders with more than 200 factories.
• Led the growth of imported products from zero to approx. 7% of the retail product mix.
• Differentiated product assortment from other retailers in the Turkish marketplace.
• Developed products that generated higher margins for the stores.
• Led buying teams from Turkey on trips to trade shows and factories in China and the USA.
• Created quotation forms, systems and planning calendar that insured that sourcing efforts met the time lines of the seasonal opportunities in the Turkish market.
Marketsource, INc., Katonah, NY, US, Consultant
Consultant to manufacturers and importers of a broad range of consumer products
• Successfully developed new sources of supply in Asia for consumer products importers enabling them to reduce their costs without compromising quality. Products included fashion accessories, ceramics, general gift, premiums, school, office and crafts, etc.
• Established OEM relationships in China for a US office furniture manufacturer enabling them to take some production to China reducing their average cost of goods.
• Provided management consulting to mature companies looking to alter their strategic direction in a competitive environment.
• Guided clients in the preparation of presentations to major retailers in classes of trade where they lacked experience.
• Key account sales to select retail chains including Bed, Bath and Beyond and Century 21.
David Oestreich, Inc., Valley Stream, NY, US, Vice President
Led sales agency representing manufacturers to retail gift stores, mail order companies and chain stores in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
• Hired, motivated and trained commissioned sales representatives calling on independent gift shops and key accounts. Selected manufacturers to be represented by company.
• Grew business with select key accounts in the mass markets and catalog industries.
• In conjunction with manufacturers created promotional events.
• Responsible for profitability of company trade show initiatives and advanced allocation of projected costs to participating manufacturers.
Helix USA, Ltd., Medford, NY , President & General Manager
Led US subsidiary of U.K. manufacturer and importer of school and office supplies for wholesale distribution throughout the United States.
• Directly responsible for all aspects of U.S. operation including development of profit plan, a staff of 18 and warehouse operations.
• Transformed languishing division into a thriving entity. Increased gross sales by over 40%.
• Exceeded profit plan each year, doubling the net profit two years in a row. Raised gross margin by 7.9% in two years. Reduced yearend inventory holdings from 38% of sales to 22%.
• Developed long term planning and pricing strategies enabling company to maximize opportunities with the 3 major big box office products retailers, mass merchants, wholesalers, and independent retailers.
• Traveled internationally to Asia and Europe to develop and source new products.
Twincraft, Inc., Winooski, VT, US, Divisional Vice President- Mass Markets
Led consumer products division for manufacturer of decorative soaps, gifts and personal care goods.
• Developed and implemented short and long term business plans and budgets which made the division more responsive to the market needs.
• Increased sales by over 100% and improved gross profits. Established clear pricing policies.
• Demonstrated superior ability at motivating, managing, hiring, training and retaining independent sales representatives and brokers enabling them to make professional and productive presentations.
• Personally managed select key accounts including Wal-Mart, CVS, K-Mart, Sears, BB&B.
• Reduced cost of goods while improving quality by utilizing outside subcontractors in place of in-house labor. Analyzed market trends, reduced SKUS and inventory levels.
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, US, Bachelors, Liberal Arts & Communications
Liberal Arts & Communications
Corp Person of the Year, Award
Corp Person of the Year Volunteer Ambulance Corp- Katonah NY 2010
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Award
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition 1998
Awarded by United States Congress for Heroism in the line of duty for Ambulance Corp
