Outgoing, driven, and upbeat leader with a passion for bringing intricate and innovative products to life with extraordinary teams. Well-versed in finance, project management, and product development allowing collaboration with diverse teams with a track record of ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget.
Managed multiple projects of varying product types and complexities, while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
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Collaborated with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion.
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Troubleshot production level samples and debugged product to fix any defects, improve mechanisms, and guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
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Developed, maintained, and spearheaded schedule execution of worldwide products
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Acted as liaison between East Aurora teams and overseas locations throughout the product life cycle
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Reviewed concept sketches and provided support for products in the preliminary design phase
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Collaborated in a team environment with Design, Packaging, Product Integrity, Marketing, Planning, Cost Engineering, Model Shop, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, Sculpting, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources to move product from concept to production
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Developed cost estimates and provided cost/financial analyses for different types of products
Key brands: Laugh & Learn, Target Exclusive - Fisher-Price Paradise Pals, Little People Brand (including Disney Princess & Barbie)
Managed, lead, and oversaw the entire product development schedule for new products and categories to ensure a timely completion while delivering high-quality products; licensor portfolio included – GLAD for Pets, Martha Stewart, Fresh Step, Disney, Warner Brothers
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Analyzed and evaluated sales data for current products; understood the competition and current industry trends to aid in product line architecture and development; conducted competitive and consumer analysis for new and upcoming products to ensure a strategic brand vision and product positioning for our licensors
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Spearheaded the sourcing for potential new products, conducted sample reviews and cost negotiations with manufacturers to ensure the most competitive costing while retaining high quality in products; presented final manufacturer and final cost to upper management
Handled: preschool boys toys, preschool girls, plush, & small action figures
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Managed brands from concept through production for the following demographics, preschool boys and girls, ages 6-11, in various product categories; licensor portfolio included Blippi Toys, BLACKPINK Toys, Peppa Pig, & soon to be released Vivo
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Controlled overall project timeline and milestones while collaborating with a team consisting of product designers, packaging designers, brand manager, senior product development manager and licensors to move product forward
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Prioritized and owned the review of sculpts from prototype to final engineered product, tracked statuses of the sculpting files and images, facilitated communication with licensor to ensure all proper approvals on product and packaging; managed and tracked art requests for product description sheet, product (from prototype to working samples), and packaging; pushed 10 products to be mass produced that will be sold globally (US and Europe)
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Redesigned & refined the process on how reference items were sent and received by overseas office to ensure efficiency and clear communication
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Conducted cost analysis and negotiated with vendors; initiated market research on vendors and costs, compared current cost vs. market average in excel. Presented final vendor and cost recommendations to leadership, upon final vendor selection negotiated across 3 vendors to ensure most competitive pricing
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Served as a liaison between the US office and Asia office by supervising daily communication to safeguard that past approvals and comments were made and provided a clear level of communication through each step of the product development process.
