Manager Sales

Stephen Bertucci

**** ****** *****, *********, ** 37027

Phone - 615-***-****

A SEASONED CONSUMER PRODUCTS EXECUTIVE with over 25 years of

progressively responsible experience, and a proven track record of

managing products and inventory to maximize profits. Has demonstrated

an ability to manage, develop and motivate a successful team, as well

as successfully negotiate and maximize the effectiveness of suppliers.

WORK HISTORY

Midwest-CBK Nashville, TN

Senior Product Manager Aug. 2000 to

Present

Initially hired to refocus and invigorate the Seasonal division

of the company but after 6 months added responsibility for the

Garden division as well. During my tenure I have also managed

the Lamp division and in 2004 was singularly responsible for the

creation and start up of the Casa Cristina Collection, a

licensed life style brand, built around the Latin Emmy ward

winning media star Cristina Saralegui. Starting with 75 items

it has over time developed into a broad 300 item line

encompassing exclusively created and designed home d cor and

light products. Over the past 6 years as contributed over 40

million in sales at above 10% net margin. Also I am responsible

for all direct import/ special account product development

within the home d cor area of the company.

Within this company the product manager is responsible for the

total life cycle of an item, from creation to factory selection,

price negotiation, purchasing, marketing, and ultimately when

and how to liquidate remaining inventory at the end of the life

cycle.

Christmas Dreams, Inc. Memphis, TN

General Manager Feb. 1999 to Aug. 2000

Joined this family owned manufacturer and wholesaler of seasonal

figures and decorative accessories with the primary

responsibility for financial and operational issues. My primary

initial focus was to improve operational efficiency, inventory

turn on raw materials, add systems to improve customer service

and management oversight.

Customers included major department stores, high end decorators,

specialty retailers and mail order catalogs. Implemented

financial controls which improved cash flow and a raw material

purchasing schedule which improved turnover, reduced back orders

and improved cash flow.

Great American Fun/Gift Innovations Columbus, OH

Vice President, Gift Division May 1997 to

Jan 1999

Joined this toy and gift importer as Director of Gift

Innovations to reestablish and focus the gift division to arrest

a serious slide in revenue. Reporting to the President, I was

responsible for all aspects of the operation with bottom line

responsibility. Initially also acted as National Sales Manager

and as such expanded the independent sales representation for

the company by adding 4 new groups. After one year with the

company was promoted to Vice President but still remained

totally responsible for all product creation and selection,

factory selection and qualification in Asia, catalogs

presentation, and direct imports. Made 6 trips to Asia per year

working with our suppliers to review production, monitor

quality, timeliness of deliveries, and cooridinate activities

with our 12 person staff in Hong Kong.

Doubled top line volume in each consecutive six month sales

period while increasing net profits while at the same time

liquidating old inventories. Implemented new inventory systems

which improved turn to 2.7 for the year 1998.

Wang's International Memphis, TN

Director - Home D cor, Garden, Gift & Seasonal Aug. 1990 to

May 1997

Joined this $175 million dollar multi-faceted craft, gift and

floral company to bring focus to the gift and seasonal divisions

and expand the design base to increase market share. The

vertical management required total responsibility from the

product creation/design, through the sourcing overseas, product

approval and price negotiations, and creation of all marketing

plans to sell through to the retailer. Each director was

responsible for divisional sales, inventory turn, gross margin

and bottom line profit contribution. Supervised 4 buyers and

direct creative staff in Memphis, plus a merchandising team in

our sister company's offices in Taipei and Hong Kong.

Over the 6 years increased my division's contribution to sales

and profit from 22 to 35%.

Applause, Inc Woodland Hills, CA

Senior Product Manager 1988 - 1990

George Good Corporation City of Industry,

CA

Director of Product Development 1984 - 1988

Robinson's Department Stores Los Angeles, CA

Buyer 1968 - 1984

EDUCATION

University of New Mexico - 1968

Course of Study - Business Administration and Economics

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