Executive Assistant Manager

DEBORAH KAPLAN

**** ******* *****

Houston, Texas 77057

214-***-**** Mobile

addrh8@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Over 30 years of progressive senior level management experience in a corporate retail, manufacturing and distribution environment. Strong ability to effectively communicate strategies, develop tactical business plans, and manage team in the creation of new and exciting concepts and products. Proven track record of establishing relationships with suppliers, executing strategic plans and taking product to market to ensure successful sales performance goals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONSULTANT, Consumer Products, Beauty, Houston, Texas 2015- present

Clients to include Drunk Elephant Skin Care, Cover FX Skincare, Nina McLemore apparel, Supernatural Body USA. Taking product concepts to market through all aspects of timelines, sourcing, manufacturing to delivery. Product Development, Packaging, Sourcing, Managing production with labs, and packaging suppliers.

CHEMAID LABS, Saddle Brook, New Jersey 2014-2015

Chemaid Labs is a third-party formulator and manufacturer of branded customized skin care, body and bath, hair care, fragrance ancillaries and men’s shave products.

Vice President

Business Development, working with owner and President Marc Reiner presenting to existing customers and well as developing presentations focused on new clients relative to their needs specific to their brand.

PCCA, Houston, Texas 2009-2013

PCCA is an independent compounding pharmacy's complete resource for fine chemicals, devices, equipment, training & support.

Vice President

Launched skin care line, Rx Skin Therapy, a pharmacist created anti-aging skin care line into 300 doors nation wide.

Managed entire brand. Product, packaging, marketing, sales, store implementation, training, and PR strategy with New York representation.

Launched and managed creation of website, blog, back door training site

Planned and implemented product additions.

Gurwitch Products, Houston, Texas 1999-2009

Gurwitch Products owns Laura Mercier Cosmetics and Revive Skincare, both brands distributed to over 1000 doors worldwide.

Senior Vice President

Managed team responsible for product development, product procurement and project management for Laura Mercier Cosmetics, a $200 million global brand of luxury cosmetics and skin care products that markets to high end retailers, in 25 countries and 500 doors worldwide.

Participated on senior management team that established and built Laura Mercier Cosmetics into a leading global brand of high-end niche cosmetics growing revenues from zero to over $120 million wholesale in 12 years.

Planned and managed multi-million-dollar inventory and new monthly launches which grew brand to rank in top five in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Sephora, and top ten at Selfridge’s and Harvey Nicols.

Successfully diversified product range through introduction and growth of new categories including color cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and body/bath products.

Worked with package designers and engineers to launch $5 million Laura Mercier Body and Bath Fragrance in Fall 2001, meeting marketing costs and objectives.

Directed and managed relationships with over 20 suppliers of packaging and 5 third party manufacturing plants and executed total repackaging of color line with key supplier.

Developed and executed customization for design of color cosmetics to launch in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009.

Provided project feasibility including function manufacturability, component cost, tooling cost, timetable risks, and global consistency.

Managed entire integration of ReVive Skincare, a new acquisition into Gurwitch Products, representing $20 million of annual additional revenue, May 20

Neiman Marcus, Dallas, Texas 1994-1999

Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager

Responsible for driving revenue and maintaining high margin performance in Contemporary Sportswear.

Managed $100 million annual retail volume including merchandising, vendor planning, budget planning, marketing and advertising strategy for over 30 stores.

Managed 15-person team of buyers and assistants for denim, swimwear, casual sportswear, and separates.

McRae’s Department Stores, Jackson, Mississippi 1992-1994

Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager

Responsible for managing Moderate Sportswear division for 20 store chain.

Foley’s Department Stores Houston, Texas 1980-1992

Divisional Merchandise Manager, Moderate Sportswear, 1990-1992

Buyer, Moderate Dresses, 1988-1990

Buyer, Moderate Sportswear, 1985-1988

Buyer, Petite Sportswear and Maternity, 1984-1985

Senior Assistant Buyer Moderate Coordinates, 1983-1984

Department Manager Dresses, 1982-1983

Assistant Buyer Moderate Dresses, 1980-1982

Foley’s Training Class, 1980

EDUCATION

BA, Sociology, Newcomb College of Tulane University, 1980

President of Student Body, 1979-1980

BOARD EXPERIENCE

Sterling Group Breakfast Club 2016 to present

Friends of Nursing St Luke’s Hospital 2014- - present

Chair of Houston Jewish Book and Arts Festival 2011

Board, Jewish Community Center, Houston, Texas, 2007-2011

Board, American Jewish Committee, Houston, Texas, 2007-2011

Co-Chair, Programming, Jewish Book Fair, Houston, Texas, 2007, 2008

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