Product development and merchandising manager.

ROBIN STEIN

New York, NY ● 917-***-**** ● ***********@*****.*** ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stein-54ba627/

SENIOR MANAGER PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ● E-COMMERCE ● MERCHANDISING ● PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Delivering unprecedented expansion in untapped product opportunities driving E-commerce and Retail sales growth YOY

New Product Innovation Driving Sales Growth

Strategic Roadmap Design Execution

B2B D2C E-Commerce Retail Sales

Team Leadership Coaching Development

Ideation Concept Go-to-Market

Private Label Development

Global Sourcing - Materials Manufacturing

Category Merchandising Management

Process Improvement / Optimization

Division P&L Budget Sales Planning

Product Line Development Expansion

Sales Product Presentations

Inventory Fulfillment Replenishment

Customer Acquisition Strategies

Vendor Supplier Negotiations

Product Experience: Pet Products including Apparel, Grooming Supplies, Furniture, Toys, and Travel products / Decorative Home Accessories / Seasonal Gifts including Stationary / Jewelry / Wall Art / Apparel including Baby, Children, Women’s / Baby Carriers and Slings

PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY

PRECIOUS TAILS (division of Enchante Accessories) - A manufacturing, and supplying consumer products 2014-2020

Senior Product Category Manager / E-Commerce – Contracted (08/2020-12/2020)

Retained by the company to train and assist the Divisional President’s son on managing and continuing to grow the E-Commerce business after being notified of the elimination of the Senior Manager of Product Development position.

Worked with major product management teams at key customers Wayfair, Walmart, Rue/Gilt, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales to ensure product performance and ensure a smooth transition.

Continued to manage promotional pricing and inventory replenishment container programs being shipped to the warehouses.

Senior Manager of Product Development, Merchandising, and E-Commerce (06/2014-08/2020)

Key Achievements

Restructured e-commerce department generating 2020 growth of 160%+

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Increased divisional gross profit margin from 25.6% to current status at 38.2%

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Experienced pet divisional gross dollar growth trajectory above 20% for five consecutive years

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Created and patented an exclusive Seatbelt Compatible Travel Pet Bed, generating over 500K+ in gross sales

Responsible for leading the home accessories pet products division creating new innovative value-driven products to drive growth for 15+ large retail brick and mortar and 10+ e-commerce clients were exceeding sales and profit margins.

Led all aspects of product management, including sourcing, product development, pre-production planning, design, line planning, leading a cross-functional 5-person team of designers, product developers, artists, and production manager.

Sourced new products, negotiated pricing, and coordinated production and quality controls with factories in China.

Manage a catalog of 1,500+ SKUs from product listings, content, images, pricing, inventory to for key client e-commerce sites for Aldi, Bed Bath and Beyond, Bloomingdales, Gilt, Lowe’s, Macy's, Marmaxx (TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Sierra Trading, Marshalls), PetSmart, Walmart, and Wayfair.

Launched multiple seasonal product lines of home accessories under the branded label Precious Tails, including pet beds, crate mats, pet steps, soft storage, wall art, tote bags, pet carriers, travel items, collars & harnesses, pet apparel, pet consumables, grooming supplies, and furniture items.

Performed pricing/cost analyses and developed price matrices to determine suggested sell costs for both the sales team and retail partners.

Collaborated on direct packaging and label art design, communicating with factories in Asia to maintain WIP reports, provide artwork and packaging guidelines, provide testing instructions, and review QA inspection reports

Conceived and project managed the development of an antianxiety aromatherapy pet bed and pet travel line, adopted by PetSmart and launching nationwide in 2021.

Restructured a major category's strategy, which resulted in its 48% decrease in initial COG and 80% decrease in its warehousing expenses.

Within the first six months of DTC e-commerce wholesale re-launch, generated a 60% increase in gross sales by remerchandising product assortment and creating seasonal promotions with retailers such as Bed Bath Beyond, Macys.com, Gilt.com, Tractor Supply, Wayfair, Walmart, and Zulily.

By Q4, 2020, negotiated terms of trade into new three new major marketplaces: Bloomingdales, Lowe’s, and Kohl’s.com. Products will go live in Q1 and Q2 of 2021.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY 2011-2013

Further Education Completion / Experience

Went back to school to complete and receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Rebuild and redesign project management.

HEARTBEAT PRODUCTS (dba portaMEe™) – Global award-winning luxury fashion baby carrier company 2004-2010

Sr. Manager - Product Development, Brand, and Commercialization

Championed the development and start-up of a breakthrough award-winning luxury baby carrier line, portaMEe grew the brand from ideation to distribution worldwide.

Managed an initial budget of $50K responsible for developing the business plan, developing growth strategies, improved sourcing quality and distribution, developing brands / new products, conceived marketing strategies, and optimized distribution channels.

Spearheaded the end-to-end development and fulfillment process, including managing the day-to-day relationships with suppliers, driving overall performance and sales growth for retail customers, including Giggle, Potter Barn Kids, Neiman Marcus Takashimaya, Barney’s NY, Bergdorf’s, and Best & Co.

Key Achievements

Started-up and launch a breakthrough product - portaMEe growing the brand from $0 to over $700K and distribution in 12 countries

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Researched and wrote preliminary utility patent application saving tens of thousands of dollars

Oversaw a 3-person team overseeing operations, including a fulfillment warehouse out of NJ and an agent in Seoul managing high-end leather handbag factories in Quingdao China.

Established patent strategy, including provisional filings and final filings, prioritized according to utility patent requirements, including innovation and provisional period sales results.

Led operational product launch strategy, including established global supplier agreements, negotiating pricing and terms of trade, logistics and delivery, and quality expectations with global manufacturers and suppliers.

Managed the costing, purchasing, and marketing content for our direct-to-consumer e-commerce retail site.

Conceived, designed, wrote, and directed all aspects of product design, overseas production, branding, website visuals, and copy, resulting in accolades from I parenting Media 2007 “greatest product” award and FitPregnancy Magazine’s 2008 “Editor’s Choice” selection.

PortaMEe received media coverage from CNBC’s Donny Deutsch, NBC’s Perry Peltz, FOX, American Baby, Fit Pregnancy, I village, Daily Candy Kids, Urban Baby etc.www.portamee.com

Supervised team on product production details, negotiating price, terms of trade, quality control, and logistics, ensuring 100% perfect quality with on-time deliveries.

POTPOURRI GROUP INC (In The Company of Dogs) – DTC catalog/e-commerce company selling gifts and accessories 1999-2002

Product Category Manager / Buyer / Merchandiser

Responsible for developing and releasing new seasonal product lines targeting dog lovers managing an assistant and re-buyer, contributing to all aspects of product development and category activities to achieve profitability.

Key Achievements

Developed and directly sourced exclusive products resulting in the products’ double net profits and increased overall gross margins from 53 to 60 points

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Increased drop ship products from 7% to 26% of the assortment and personalized products from 6% to 18%, increasing cash flow and lowering return rates from 7% down to less than 1%

Identified, designed, and developed new and exclusive products, including beds, bowls, collars, carriers, car travel, and pet apparel items merchandising 3K+ SKUs per season.

Planned upcoming season by analyzing home furnishing, color, textile, and fashion/apparel trends, competitors and seasonal sales statistics, industry trends, and profitability reports for distribution.

Led team on placing initial orders within established time and dollar levels and reorders to minimize backorders while achieving high fulfillment without creating excess stock.

Partnered with Art Directors to produce catalog front and back covers, according to marketing guidelines, reviewed and approved all copy, and provided guidance to copywriter on product benefits, catalog voice, and cover positioning.

Directly sourced exclusive and private label branded products around the USA and China, resulting in increased sales and gross margins.

Negotiated advantageous terms of trade, product price, and exclusivity despite multiple transfers in ownership for the In The Company of Dogs brand.

Created Top selling items chosen in 1999 and 2000 for ABC’s Good Morning America segment with Dr. Marty Becker.

INNOVISION FRAMES & ALBUMS (purchased by Unique Photo) – Largest privately owned photographic supply distributor 1997-1999

Divisional Manager

Directed divisional P&L overseeing B2B product catalog, product development, sourcing, pricing, merchandising, and promotions for photo and frames product lines with over 1,000 SKUs sold through Specialty Retailers across the country.

Introduced formal strategic planning process to identify product gaps, introduced innovative new products to gain market share, growth opportunities, and increased company profitability.

Managed all aspects of the product development cycle from concept stage, design, and engineering through manufacturing for product lines.

Negotiated price and profit margins and Enhanced communications with foreign sourcing to improve quality and lead-times with key suppliers and manufacturers located in Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand.

THE DAILY PLANET (Subsidiary of Rivertown Trading) – DTC catalog company featuring apparel and gifts 1994-1997

Buyer/Merchandiser

Responsible for product development of unique and proprietary products including apparel, jewelry, home accessories, and gifts, merchandising four seasonal catalogs that mailed ten times yearly.

Built outstanding vendor partnerships for product sourcing, procuring products from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Morocco and Turkey, attended trade shows both domestic and abroad, and meeting with suppliers to assess needs and concepts for proprietary product advancement.

Worked with designers to create and approve sales-oriented designs, collections, and private-label merchandise.

Analyzed product and price mix to ensure clear direction on product expansion, product assortment, contraction, and deletions within a specific catalog title.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts Degree - 2013 The New School - New York, NY

Fashion Illustration and Merchandising Parsons School of Design at The New School – New York, NY

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