Cory M. Silver

** ******* **** *********, ** • 647-***-**** • acrzy5@r.postjobfree.com

LinkedIn Profile: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/cory-silver/44/586/18b/

Product/Category Manager

Extensive experience managing the full product lifecycle for consumer goods distributed through the retail, B2B and e-commerce channels.

Effectively leads multi-functional teams that span international borders with a strong track record of executing strategies to increase sales, improve profitability and grow market share.

Hands on experience in both hard and soft goods, leading brands, private label and licensed products. Proven success in overall category development and expansion.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Full Product Lifecycle Management and Continuous Improvement Strategies.

Go to Market Strategies, Merchandising, Product Assortment and Promotional Planning

Vendor Management including Global Sourcing, Negotiation and Contract Management

Financial alignment focusing on Pricing Strategies and Gross Margin/Revenue Achievement (P&L).

Domestic and International Manufacturing and Quality Assurance oversight

Forecasting, Inventory and Distribution management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Category Manager – E-commerce Division, The Source 2015

The Source (parent company Bell Canada) is one of Canada’s leading consumer electronics retailers with over 650 stores. The Source goes back 40 years in Canada originally as Radio Shack. Responsible for overseeing category development focusing on product channel strategy, pricing, promotions, sales analysis and vendor management all with the objective to increase sales and profitability.

Managed six key categories (with over 10,000 SKU’s) of consumer technology products (both leading brands and private label) bringing new products to market as well as managing the existing product performance through sales analysis, category insights, and marketing strategies.

Evaluated and selected new products and vendors based on profitability to grow the revenue stream. Assessed and negotiated costs, incentives, rebates in order to ensure margins were achieved.

Planned and executed merchandising strategies for flyers, web and in store to maximize sales such as markdowns, special buys and special promotions.

Worked cross-functionally with retail, distribution and finance departments to develop product strategies along with assortment planning, pricing and inventory and distribution requirements.

Developed pricing strategies and consistently achieved profit/margin targets.

Conduct competitive analysis to identify new product opportunities and develop strategies for product performance.

Product Manager, Marklyn Group Inc. 2013-2014

Marklyn is an industry leader in the automotive after-market accessories market and LED lighting market for home and auto. Serving North American mass merchants, such as Wal-Mart Canada, Wal-Mart USA, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and Advance Auto Parts. Responsible for leading the full lifecycle of various product categories focusing on increasing sales, profitability and market share.

Successfully led the product vision, development, marketing and launch for a new LED lighting category ‘BRITELED’ into 180 Home Depot stores across Canada. Achieved higher revenue than targets.

Developed pricing strategies including MSRP and cost/margin/gross profit optimization plans for new product introduction that exceeded original targets.

Sourced new products to grow and enhance existing categories based on market analysis, trends and competitive landscape.

Managed all product development tasks including creating product specifications, sampling approval to full production authorization and acceptance.

Created and maintained category business plans and roadmaps including sales forecast, inventory requirements, pricing vs. costing and assortment.

Delivered line review presentations to provide feedback and recommendations on product pricing, promotion opportunities and category adjustments including SKU rationalization, end of life planning and introduction of new products based on sales analysis, products mix evaluation and market trends.

Led the design and implementation of retail programs and product merchandising strategies including custom planograms/POP’s/PDQ’s, displays, promotional strategies, special buy opportunities, and marketing collateral such as product sell sheets, briefs, catalogues and signage for new product launches into some of the largest retailers.

Weekly review of SWOT reports and performance analysis. Complete competitive analysis to ensure pricing, assortment and merchandising exceeds competitors.

Product Development and Operations Manager, iSkin Inc. 2012-2013

This organization designs, manufactures and distributes premium, fashion forward mobile device accessories for the consumer technology industry. Licensed product lines and private label is another key area of development. These products are distributed in over 80 countries. Responsible for leading all product sourcing, planning, development and marketing strategies as well as supporting operations such as inventory/distribution.

Managed all product lifecycle activities to bring a new category of licensed fashion accessories to market which generated over $500K in revenue in the first 6 months.

Created and implemented a successful exit strategy for end of life products with a 3rd party partner which realized additional revenue of $52,000.00 to the business.

Sourced new product materials, which directly increased profit margins by 20%, which increased revenue of over $40,000.00 for one category per annum.

Worked collaboratively with art teams to design all product marketing collateral, packaging including branding, artwork, verbiage and product sell sheets.

Determined best channel for product marketing including retail, web or distributor. Maintained e-commerce product selection, pricing and promotions.

Oversaw offshore factories to drive the design, manufacturing and quality for products ensuring they meet organizational standards, budget requirements and timeline.

Developed optimal pricing strategies that achieved gross profit/margins consistently.

Maintained short/long term roadmaps for product mix, pricing, features/benefits and inventory/stock availability to support sales and category analysis.

Director of Operations, Intimelle Inc. (company closed) 2002-2012

Primary focus of this organization was the importing, manufacturing and distribution of various apparel lines and consumer goods across North America. Directed all category planning and development and related operations including sourcing, manufacturing, merchandising and inventory/distribution to drive profitability, quality and sales. Key categories include men’s and ladies apparel, hosiery and accessories (private label and in-house) for the fashion and sports industry. Retailers included Sears, Hudson’s Bay, Winners, GolfTown, Sam’s Club, and Walmart.

Launched a new hosiery category into the retail market. Met both timeline and cost objectives bringing in excess of 1mm dollars for the business in the first year of its launch.

Introduced a new promotional strategy for one category that saw a 25% increase in sales.

Managed retail programs for all marketing and merchandising initiatives including planograms, POS/POP’s, fixtures, and slat walls along with signage, brochures, catalogues, sell sheets, product assortment planning and seasonal promotions for retail stores.

Responsible for all product, material and vendor sourcing including negotiations and contract management.

Direct management of local and overseas manufacturing plants, vendors and suppliers and multiple distribution centres.

Managed full supply chain to deliver products on time and to meet client inventory requirements.

Conducted line reviews and developed remediation plans for poor performing SKU’s, End of Life (EOL).

Management of category budget (P&L). Negotiations with key vendors/suppliers which resulted in a reduction in costs by 14% which translated to a savings of over $28,000 per annum.

Product development Manager and Internal Operations, Intimelle Inc. 1992-2002

This organization focused on the importing, manufacturing and distribution of various apparel lines across North America.

Education: Business Administration Diploma – Seneca College 1992

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