LEON Y. BENZ

Consumer Products Developer, International Sourcing and Marketing Expert

SUMMARY

** ***** ** ***************, ************* and developing new consumer product ideas

based on understanding customer needs, market gaps, trends, applications and creativity.

Demonstrated ability to source products internationally, develope and bring new products

to market and attain market share.

Development of team members to successfully assume progressive roles contributing to

the organizations bottom line.

Management of brand and product managers, graphics department and administrative

teams’ goals, production and productivity.

Proactive in identifying and pursuing new ideas, solutions, analytical methods and business

opportunities. Ability to identify emerging products and bring a product through the entire

marketing life cycle.

Management of product packaging, print ads, collateral material art, catalogs, website

television campaigns and media events.

High energy, “roll up the sleeves and get it done” attitude.

Entrepreneurial mindset, highly self reliant and non bureaucratic.

High output with minimal supervision in a fast paced work environment and effective

interaction with all levels of staff and management within and across departments.

Highly organized, excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong persuasive

skills Passion for consumer products!

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006-Present Conair Consumer Products Inc., Toronto, Ontario

Worldwide personal care/housewares developer and marketer

Sr. Director of Marketing/New Product Development

Position duties and responsibilities

Responsible for all traditional marketing initiatives for 295 SKU’s ($82 Million in sales)

Product development, analyzing of retailer trends, market trends and potentials and

creation of new product opportunities in existing product categories and development of

new categories.

Responsible for pricing strategies, maintaining profit margin, launch initiatives and

expanding product representation into new channels of distribution.

Expand current market share across all categories.

Prepare and manage product development, marketing, merchandising and partial IT

budgets.

Development of e-commerce for core product offerings contributing $270K in sales

during 6 month test period.

Creation and presentation of line reviews for all major retail accounts in Canada

Seven direct reports responsible for product categories, creative, new product development

and category analyst.

Responsible for creation and management of advertising/PR budgets and initiatives.

Sourcing and negotiating with international factories (China, Mexico, Costa Rica, Singapore

and Philippines) on new products, concepts, tooling, product design, packaging, prototypes

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

and other introductory expenses.

Company spokesperson – on air, print and radio

Responsible for planning and executing all trade and consumer shows

2004-2006 Stein World LLC, Memphis, TN (Company sold in May of 2006)

(Worldwide accent furniture and lighting developer and marketer)

Vice President of Marketing/Operations

Position duties and responsibilities

Develop, plan and implement annual marketing goals and objectives with strategies and

tactics for annual profitability in existing account base. Direct and oversee the

organization’s marketing policies, programs and corporate initiatives. Guide and direct

overall creative direction, media strategies, communications programs, collateral materials

and promotional programs. Manage and develop annual marketing budget as well as

reporting ROI on all marketing programs.

Responsible for the strategic direction of the organizations operations, procedures, and

processes.

Eight direct reports responsible for customer service, creative, sourcing (HK Based) order

processing, human resources, inside sales and sales support departments.

Utilize current channels of distribution and expand company’s growth through new

channels of distribution (mass retail accounts and hospitality accounts penetrated

successfully in 2005).

Product development, analyzing of market trends and potentials and sourcing and creation

of new product lines that compliment current product categories.

2000-2004 Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, El Paso, TX

(Worldwide personal care developer and marketer - NYSE: HELE)

Director of Marketing/Business Development

Position duties and responsibilities

Bring all company assigned brands to the next level, to innovate and create brand

awareness, identify markets and new trends. Develop marketing and sales strategies for all

new products developed. Work with close timelines and research cycles. Continually be at

the cutting edge of trends and always aware of new and impending trends in fashion and

beauty.

Manage all traditional marketing responsibilities for multiple products within five brands

(Vidal Sassoon, Revlon, Wave Rage, Straight to the Maxx, Aeros) representing $189

Million in Sales.

Identify, create and source new products to expand current retail product lines to

maximize companies’ profitability.

Manage, train and direct the retail product marketing group (Brand and Product

Managers). Ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Manage personnel issues consistent with

corporate policies and objectives.

Product development, analyzing of market trends and potentials and creation of new

product opportunities that utilize current channels of distribution and expand company’s

growth through new channels of distribution.

Maintain and assist in engineering product testing for consumer sale requirements (UL,

CUL, ETL, and CSA).

Sourcing and negotiating with Far East factories on product concepts, tooling, product

design, packaging, prototypes and other introductory expenses.

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

Develop and conduct market research and field testing of product and merchandising

programs to determine trade and end user acceptance.

Creation, planning, directing and production of “special project” info-commercial in both

long and short form formats along with media budgeting and placement in order to

expand sales profit and guarantee retail placement of unique merchandise.

Develop and execute promotional sales presentations for all products to various customer

accounts.

Work closely with creative department in all areas of graphic design, packaging, layout,

photography, filming and editing and product information/instruction manuals.

1998-2000 – Terri’s Consign and Design Furnishings, Phoenix, Arizona

(National furniture retailer)

Director of Marketing and Sales/Operations

Position achievements:

Managed all retail sales operations for eight retail furniture stores within Arizona and

Georgia.

Developed and implemented company wide budgets, cost analysis systems and employee

retention programs.

Responsible for multi level recruitment, training, and supervision.

Developed and managed Phoenix and Atlanta call centers.

Responsible for sourcing and selecting case goods and accessories for placement and sale

in various retail locations.

Active in employee relations, career counseling, legal resolutions benefits administration

and all state and federal compliancy issues.

Responsible for multi level sales training.

Created in store marketing campaigns to increase sales of slow moving merchandise.

1995 – 1998 YM Inc. (Sales)/ Number 7 Inc. Toronto, Canada

(Manufacturers/worldwide retailers of “teen/urban” soft lines and accessories)

Director of U.S. Retail Marketing/Operations/HR

Position achievements:

Responsible for total retail sales budget of $33 million over 22 locations across the

United States of America (Buffalo, NY, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL, Chicago, IL,

Potomac, VA, Grapevine, TX, Tempe, AZ, Ontario, CA).

Maintained retail gross margins of 57 points.

Sourcing and startup of U.S. retail operations office (Tempe, AZ).

Responsible for sourcing of U.S. distribution center.

Assisted in product selection and assortment for specific U.S. markets.

Creation and implementation of in store signage and marketing campaigns to promote

products and individual locations.

Responsible for the conversion of Merry-Go-Round retail locations to Urban Planet and

Sirens branded retail stores.

Successfully composed and implemented general employee handbook, recruitment guide,

retail sales training manual, management manual, customer service manual and seminar,

sexual harassment policies and seminar.

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

1994 – 1995 YM Inc. (Sales)/ Number 7 Inc.

URBAN PLANET Account Manager

(Eaton’s Canada & Hudson’s Bay Company)

Start up account at Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC)

Successfully composed and implemented sales presentations and product knowledge

including features and benefits for Eaton’s and HBC national accounts.

Total sales of $8.4 million within the first 12 months of sales (increase of $1.4 million

over projected sales plan).

Represented over 30 categories of male and female teen lines.

Effectively trained, directed and managed 3 sales managers within eastern, central and

western Canada.

Responsible for introduction of accessory lines within retail outlets (contributed to an

increase of 18% within 8 months).

Trained sales managers on existing product lines and sales techniques (initial

contact/introduction, presentation of product, overcoming objections, closing the sale,

follow up and communication/servicing the account).

Promoted to Director of United States Retail Operations within 12 months.

E DUCATION

Arizona State University Arizona, United States

W. P. Carey School of Business

M.B.A.

Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology Toronto, Canada

Business administration

Post undergraduate diploma

Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology Toronto, Canada

Human resource management

Post undergraduate diploma

McMaster University Hamilton, Canada

B.A.Sc.

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

EXPERT LEVEL ACCOUNT EXPERIENCE – USA AND CANADA

Mass Retailers - Wal-Mart (USA and Canada), Target, Zeller’s (Canada)

Drug - Walgreen’s, Rite Aid ( Jean Coutu in Quebec, Canada), CVS, Shopper’s Drug Mart

(Canada), Pharma Plus/Rexall (Canada), London Drugs (Canada)

Club - Costco (USA and Canada), Sam’s Club (USA and Canada), BJ’s Wholesale

Department - Sears (USA and Canada), Macy’s, JC Penney, The Bay (Canada)

Food – Safeway, Loblaw’s (Canada)

Online/Specialty – Amazon.com/ca., ULTA, Sally Beauty Supply, Bed Bath and Beyond (USA

and Canada), Home Outfitters (Canada), Toy’s R Us,

Discount Retailers - Home Sense, Home Goods, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx USA/Winner’s

(Canada), Tiger Direct, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollarama (Canada)

Fashion Retailers – The Limited group, Jean machine, Claire’s Accessories

COMPUTER QUALIFICATIONS

Well versed on an expert level in several specialized software packages.

Windows 3.1, 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP, Vista

Microsoft Office (all applications) 98, 2000, ME, XP

Key CAD, Viseo (floor layout/engineering software)

Lotus SmartSuite

Adobe PhotoShop/ illustrator

Pinnacle Video Editing

Page Maker and more…

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Customer Service, Fred Pryer

Servicing Your Customer, Tom Hopkins

Time Management, J.C. Williams

Public Speaking Power, Tom Hopkins

Power Negotiating, The Sales Professionals

CERTIFICATES/AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS

Therapeutic Horsemanship of El Paso Kind Heart Award

Shaping our Youth - Speaker Appreciation Award

Excellence Award Scholarship for Post-Secondary Studies in Canada

McMaster Entrance Award Scholarship

Certified Level 1 Instructor Ontario Tennis Association

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

TELEVISION/VIDEO EXPERIENCE

The Shopping Channel – Lysol Steam Mop

The Shopping Channel – Conair Garment Steamer

QVC – The Steam Straightener

Shop NBC – (OTV) Hand Painted Bombay Chest – Stein World

QVC – Dr. Scholl’s Spa Bath – Helen of Troy

QVC – Straight to the Maxx Hair Straightener – Helen of Troy (2 separate airings)

Info-Commercial Host (National Airing) – EZ Wrap It Hair System – Helen of Troy

Quick Clips Vidal Sassoon instructional video – Voice Over for hair cutting video

SECONDARY LANGUAGES

Fluent in Spanish

Conversational French

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT STATUS

Legally entitled to work within the United States of America

Legally entitled to work within Canada

LEON BENZ – 120 DUFFERIN HILL DR., CONCORD, ONTARIO CANADA 905-***-**** abnh12@r.postjobfree.com

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