Sales Manager
Resume:
JEFFREY A. PULVER
**** **** **** **. ** Wyoming, Michigan 49519
616-***-**** abnwl4@r.postjobfree.com
Seeking a position in:
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Creatively-focused furniture executive with an MS degree in Marketing & Management and over 30 years
of industry experience. Specializing in managing product development from conceptualization to launch.
Consistently achieved profitability and reduced manufacturing expenses through innovative product
design, expert sourcing, and niche marketing strategies. Outstanding communicator and negotiator, with
demonstrated success in building positive relationships with customers, vendors, and manufacturers.
Specialized expertise in design and manufacturing, with global sourcing experience spanning North
America and Asia.
Professional strengths include:
Product Development Global Sourcing New Business Development Cross-Functional Team
Leadership Competitive Analysis Marketing & Brand Management Negotiations Product Lifecycle
Management Procurement Strategic Market Planning Quality Control Promotions Customer
Relationship Management Product Positioning Vendor Management New Product Launches
Pricing Sales Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SLIGH FURNITURE COMPANY, Holland, Michigan 1992- 2009
128-year-old business specializing in design and distribution of high-end home office, home
entertainment, and home storage furniture with warehouses in China, Vietnam, NC, and CA.
Manager of Product Development
Managed all areas of product development including design, competitive analysis, product positioning,
engineering, oversight of foreign agents and factories, sample making, photography, pricing, preparing
showroom for international market events, new product launches, and first production approval. Led 4
design teams, 2 engineers and 3 manufacturing agents. Utilized a cross-functional approach to product
development by involving designers, engineers and manufacturing team members. Collaborated with
Asian agents and factories to ensure product met quality and specification expectations. Well versed with
Asian business protocol, contract negotiations and the general workings of Asian markets.
Continuously met pricing targets, introduced innovative design features, and secured creative
sourcing alternatives.
Launched a new, more popular-priced product brand aimed at new and different distribution;
enabling company to approach hundreds of new furniture dealers.
Boosted sales 25% by successfully introducing a home entertainment related product line in 2002
which now represents 50% of total company volume.
Doubled furniture revenue between 1992 and 2000 by transforming product line style and function.
Lowered product development expenses from 3.6% to 3.0% of gross sales (a 17% reduction) through
lean product development processes and improved organizational efforts.
Reduced overall manufacturing cost of products by 25%-35% and improved value in marketplace by
forging and maintaining numerous partnerships with foreign agents and factories in Southeast Asia
(China, Philippines, Vietnam) and Mexico.
Resume
JEFFREY A. PULVER Page 2 abnwl4@r.postjobfree.com
SLIGH FURNITURE COMPANY, continued. . .
Improved success ratio of products that reach manufacturing cutting status from 60% to 85%, by
establishing a new process for customer validation of new design concepts, including comprehensive
dealer feedback.
Led team to secure many defendable design patents; effort has discouraged competitors from
copying designs, provided revenue from competitors breaching patents, and secured a design
leadership position in industry.
Increased overall sales 10% by personally securing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
relationships with two companies.
Our design team has garnered numerous industry design awards including the Pinnacle Award (won
7 times and served as finalist 7 times) given by the American Society of Furniture Designers and an
American Furniture Award (given by Home Magazine).
THE NEW ENGLAND CLOCK COMPANY, Farmington, Connecticut (1990 to 1992)
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Doubled sales revenues amidst a difficult economy and repositioned product line to better meet
consumer demand.
Implemented an effective national dealer floor display program and penetrated new territories.
THE HITCHCOCK CHAIR COMPANY, Riverton, Connecticut (1976 to 1990)
Director, Sales & Marketing / Purchasing Manager / Labor Cost Analyst
Fueled annual sales revenues 10% by implementing a national merchandising program; added 15%
to existing sales revenues by developing college and specialty chair markets.
Added 5% in new sales volume by positioning the company as a supplier of commercial quality chairs
for the hospitality industry.
First Purchasing Agent in history to reduce material costs to less than 30% of gross sales.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Management & Marketing
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Hartford, Connecticut
3.5 GPA
Bachelor of Science, Management & Marketing
Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Predictive Index
Willing to relocate
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