Marketing Manager Senior Product

Tara Bates

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

Rocky Face, GA ***40 ****.******@*******.*** 706-***-****

Professional Summary

Strategic and results-oriented leader with a robust background in managing cross-functional programs spanning product management, sourcing and contracts, travel and expense management, client onboarding, event coordination, and corporate travel operations. Demonstrates a proven ability to drive significant cost savings, enhance operational efficiencies, strengthen compliance, and foster meaningful stakeholder engagement within complex global enterprise environments. Skilled at leading high-performing teams, executing large-scale initiatives, and consistently delivering measurable business outcomes.

Willing to relocate anywhere

Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Work Experience

Senior Product and Marketing Manager

Interline Tours & Travel-Remote-Rocky Face, GA

December 2024 to Present

•Directed the creation of market intelligence by orchestrating comprehensive market, competitive, and customer research to inform strategic decisions.

•Engineered and championed product strategy, vision, roadmaps, and lifecycle priorities, ensuring alignment with overarching company objectives.

•Equipped sales teams with high-impact tools, resources, and collateral that accelerated deal closures and strengthened client engagement.

•Amplified brand visibility and product demand through strategic deployment of websites, events, targeted advertising, and high-profile PR campaigns.

•Commanded pricing strategies, product launches, sustained promotional efforts, and lifecycle optimizations to maximize profitability and market share.

•Owned the financial and market performance of product line(s), including precision forecasting, revenue optimization, and in-depth performance analysis.

•Partnered with executive leadership to define the growth agenda and spearhead strategic initiatives driving organizational expansion.

•Capitalized on emerging distribution channels and brand opportunities to drive product development, market penetration, and sustainable revenue growth.

•Served as the organization’s go-to subject matter expert for market intelligence and product application strategy.

•Innovated and recommended bold expansions to the product portfolio and long-term vision.

•Adapted quickly to evolving business priorities, executing additional high-value projects as entrusted by leadership.

Category Manager - Shared Services T&E

The Vincit Group-Chattanooga, TN

January 2022 to December 2024

•Accelerated contract review and approval by streamlining workflows, eliminating bottlenecks, and reducing turnaround times.

•Designed and executed enterprise-wide sourcing strategies that delivered double-digit category spend reductions and enhanced supplier performance.

•Negotiated high-value independent contracts, achieving six-figure savings and closing service gaps outside GPO coverage.

•Implemented and managed a proactive contracting and bidding calendar, ensuring 100% on-time procurement cycle execution.

•Oversaw seamless contract and pricing integration into ERP systems, improving data accessibility, compliance, and reporting accuracy.

•Directed end-to-end RFP/RFQ processes, applying market intelligence to secure cost reductions and favorable renewal terms.

•Introduced and championed cost-containment strategies that delivered measurable budget efficiencies.

•Partnered with cross-functional leadership to strengthen policy compliance, driving higher adherence rates and operational consistency.

•Maintained fully compliant, audit-ready contract documentation, mitigating organizational risk.

•Produced executive-level reporting on savings and ROI, highlighting the impact of category negotiations.

Leveraged ERP analytics to validate contract data and protect formulary integrity for consumables.

•Cultivated strategic relationships with executives, vendors, and decision-makers to expand sourcing influence and partnerships.

•Established and tracked KPIs that improved vendor performance and identified process optimization opportunities.

•Embedded procurement best practices into organizational culture, raising standards of operational excellence.

•Streamlined contract request handling, ensuring business units received timely, strategically aligned agreements.

•Successfully led additional high-priority projects, demonstrating agility, cross-functional leadership, and business impact.

Travel & Expense Analyst

The Vincit Group-Chattanooga, TN

August 2020 to January 2022

•Directed the day-to-day operations of the global corporate card program, resolving service and technology issues to ensure seamless financial transactions for associates worldwide.

•Partnered with the CFO to design and implement strategic Travel & Expense program initiatives, delivering organization-wide training that boosted policy compliance and user efficiency.

•Oversaw and validated out-of-pocket reimbursement requests, eliminating errors and ensuring compliance with financial controls.

•Collaborated with the Asset Protection team to deliver timely, accurate financial intelligence in support of high-priority internal investigations.

•Enforced company internal control practices, mitigating financial risk and safeguarding organizational assets.

•Monitored and audited expense reporting to identify and correct non-compliance trends, reducing policy violations.

•Led high-impact special projects assigned by leadership, consistently delivering results ahead of deadlines.

•Supported Finance/Accounting with account reconciliations and month-end closing processes, improving reporting accuracy and timeliness.

•Defined and executed the delivery model for T&E and P Card management, aligning HQ, shared services, and business units for maximum efficiency.

•Developed enterprise-wide standards including policies, procedures, and systems that streamlined travel and expense management across all regions.

•Served as the single point of accountability for T&E shared services implementation, ensuring smooth global rollout and ongoing operational excellence.

•Managed relationships with third-party T&E vendors, optimizing service quality and cost-effectiveness.

•Provided oversight of T&E resources, balancing workloads and improving productivity across the support team.

•Designed and tracked KPIs to measure process accuracy, efficiency, and compliance, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

•Delivered targeted training programs to associates, raising T&E policy adherence and user proficiency.

•Produced and analyzed detailed operational and compliance reports, providing leadership with data-driven insights for decision-making.

Implementation Specialist

FROSCH Travel-Houston, TX

June 2019 to July 2020

•Directed the end-to-end customer onboarding process, ensuring flawless execution of procedures and rapid resolution of implementation challenges to accelerate client go-live timelines.

•Governed customer master data integrity within corporate systems, eliminating errors and ensuring reliable operational reporting.

•Delivered consistent, high-touch customer support throughout account transitions, maximizing client satisfaction and retention.

•Led domestic and international account implementations, navigating cross-cultural and logistical complexities to deliver on scope and deadlines.

•Monitored and enforced project accuracy and progress, achieving 100% on-time delivery for contracted onboarding milestones.

•Oversaw all processes and systems tied to client projects, product configuration, data loads, ticket creation, and special initiatives—driving seamless handoffs and operational readiness.

•Collaborated with Data Ops, Client Services, and cross-functional teams to fulfill contractual obligations and exceed client expectations.

•Co-created tailored client success plans in partnership with Client Partners, aligning solutions to each customer’s strategic priorities.

•Executed project management responsibilities that enabled frictionless onboarding experiences, reducing client ramp-up time.

•Delivered superior service to internal and external stakeholders through clear communication, proactive issue resolution, and diligent follow-up.

•Assessed evolving customer needs and recommended strategic enhancements to deliver “Best in Class” service solutions.

•Identified and escalated unmet business requirements, partnering with Implementation Services Directors to develop process improvements and drive operational efficiency.

Convention Services Manager

Shaner Corporation, Chattanooga Marriott Downtown-Chattanooga, TN

August 2017 to June 2018

•Reviewed and validated incoming convention files from Sales, ensuring 100% accuracy before initiating client communication and project planning.

•Managed client accounts through proactive written and verbal communication, building trust and guaranteeing flawless event execution.

•Cultivated long-term client relationships via pre-planning meetings, meal tastings, and conference calls, boosting repeat business and customer satisfaction.

•Designed and distributed detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), aligning all hotel departments and clients on set-up, purchasing, and scheduling requirements to eliminate operational errors.

•Managed rooming lists and reservation processes, monitoring group pickup trends to accurately adjust blocks and improve forecasting accuracy.

•Produced comprehensive group resumes detailing reservations, billing, VIP needs, and logistical specifics for seamless service delivery.

•Monitored and analyzed client needs, guest mix forecasts, and competitive trends to recommend enhancements that improved guest experiences and financial returns

•Chaired pre- and post-convention meetings to align stakeholders, capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement in service delivery.

•Maintained up-to-date and accurate event data in CI/TY, ensuring real-time visibility for all stakeholders.

•Contributed to weekly food and beverage forecasts and 90-day projections, optimizing inventory and labor planning.

•Tracked and reported variances between forecasted and actual food and beverage revenue, providing leadership with actionable insights to improve financial accuracy.

•Executed special projects for Directors of Catering and Trade Show Management, delivering strategic value beyond core responsibilities.

•Audited final billing for accuracy, ensuring error-free invoicing and a smooth client financial closeout process.

Cost Efficiency and Improvement Manager

Intercontinental Hotels Group-Atlanta, GA

April 2013 to May 2016

•Drove cost efficiency and continuous improvement across a $27M spend portfolio, overseeing IHG s global Corporate Transient, Meetings, and Events categories to deliver breakthrough savings and service enhancements.

•Owned direct responsibility for Meetings and Events, managing high-value supplier relationships and negotiating conference contracts, as well as overseeing key vendors such as registration platforms, online booking tools, and Concur Expense/Travel systems.

•Authored and implemented new corporate travel policies for both transient and event-related travel, standardizing processes and improving compliance rates.

•Partnered with internal stakeholders worldwide to build trust, foster collaboration, and align travel programs with departmental and regional priorities.

•Developed and maintained a global travel policy that balances corporate efficiency with cultural and regional needs, ensuring global adoption through cross-functional engagement.

•Identified savings opportunities, service improvements, and process efficiencies, leveraging benchmarking data to implement best practices for Concur Expense and Concur Travel.

•Administered Concur system configurations, including user profile management, platform updates, and optimization initiatives to improve functionality and user experience.

•Produced detailed monthly and quarterly Travel & Expense reports for the CFO and Regional Finance Directors, delivering data-driven insights for financial and operational decision-making.

•Established compliance reporting benchmarks and processes, monitoring policy adherence, and deploying targeted strategies to increase compliance rates.

•Directed the oversight of travel management company(ies), including SLA enforcement, performance reporting, and policy alignment.

•Designed and delivered global training via webinars, onboarding sessions, and technology workshops, ensuring staff proficiency on new policies, systems, and tools.

National Program Manager/ Meeting Planner/Operations Manager/Travel Agent

Carlson Wagonlit Travel-Remote

March 1989 to April 2013

•Advised clients on global travel trends, performance metrics, and policy compliance, shaping strategic improvements in travel programs to drive cost savings and efficiency.

•Partnered with senior leadership to define and execute strategic initiatives, projects, and implementations that optimized travel program performance.

•Enhanced enterprise reporting capabilities, tools, and processes to deliver actionable insights and identify opportunities for expansion, contraction, and continuous improvement.

•Served as the organization’s Subject Matter Expert on Concur Expense and Concur Travel, ensuring seamless adoption, configuration, and usage across all teams.

•Delivered analytical reporting from agency, corporate card, and other sources to equip key stakeholders with accurate forecasting and compliance transparency.

•Directed the monthly and quarterly reporting of pre- and post-trip data, achieving 100% accuracy for business forecasting and policy adherence tracking.

•Provided timely, reliable travel management data to guide cost-reduction strategies, scope projects, and monitor program performance.

•Designed, executed, and managed over 200 U.S. and international meetings, conferences, trade shows, and events annually, overseeing budgets up to $15M and audiences ranging from 100 to 8,000 attendees.

•Led and developed a team of 3 meeting planners and 5 corporate travel consultants, setting performance expectations, delivering training, and driving cross-function

•al success.

•Implemented and optimized online registration procedures via SignUp4, streamlining attendance management and improving user experience.

•Directed compliance, logistics, and operational execution for all assigned programs, ensuring flawless delivery from planning through reconciliation.

•Maintained accurate program data in proprietary meeting databases and registration systems, ensuring metric and savings tracking throughout execution.

•Coordinated all event details—including room setups, AV requirements, catering, transportation, VIP services, and off-site activities—ensuring client satisfaction and budget adherence.

•Reconciled program budgets within 60 days post-event and delivered audit-ready documentation within 90 days, meeting all compliance standards.

•Authored a comprehensive Meetings Policy and process framework for a $4B manufacturing company, standardizing operations and improving efficiency.

•Conducted stakeholder focus groups and studies to determine meeting volume, success factors, and strategic improvements.

•Oversaw domestic and international reservations for air, rail, and hotel, providing expert guidance on visas, passports, immunizations, and travel regulations.

•Applied deep expertise in international pricing rules to secure cost-effective, policy-compliant travel arrangements.

•Maximized profitability by leveraging CWT-preferred vendors, ensuring full compliance with travel policy and negotiated agreements.

•Provided first-line customer service and technical support, resolving issues quickly to maintain traveler satisfaction.

Education

Associate of Science in Travel and Tourism McKenzie College-Chattanooga, TN

Abilities

•Management (10+ years)

•Communication skills

•Microsoft Excel

•Help Desk

•Computer Networking

•Forecasting

•Microsoft PowerPoint

•Collaboration with sales

•Program development

•Pricing

•Supply Chain

•Purchasing

•Process Improvement (10+ years)

•Customer Relationship Management (10+ years)

•Account Management (10+ years)

•Financial services

•Customer service

•CRM Software (10+ years)

•Account Reconciliation (10+ years)

•Recruiting

•Time management

•Sourcing

•Compliance Management (10+ years)

•Leadership (10+ years)

•Organizational skills

•Project management (10+ years)

•Relationship Management (10+ years)

•Microsoft Office

•General Ledger Accounting

•Presentation skills

•Category Management

•Program Management (10+ years)

•Microsoft Word

•Procurement

•Budgeting (10+ years)

•Strategic Planning (10+ years)

•Change Management (10+ years)

•Software troubleshooting

•Computer skills

•Marketing

•Research

•Analytics

•Analysis skills

•Accounting

•System Administration (10+ years)

•Business Development (10+ years)

•Negotiation

•Financial Analysis (10+ years)

Additional Information

•Over 30 years of experience in providing operational, managerial, Corporate transient travel, and meeting & Events.

•Global Travel Manager for a $70-Million-dollar travel spend category.

•Highly experienced in managing budgets, timelines, checklists, and monitoring to progress

•Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

•Easily develop relationships, working effectively with technical and business audiences at all levels

•Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail

•Ability to independently plan, manage, and deliver multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines

•Extensive experience with Concur Expense and Travel (implementation, configurations, performance).

•Succeeded in managing 250+ meetings in one calendar year with attendees ranging from 100-5000 attendees.

•Extensive Customer Relationship Management

•Considerable Account Management, CRM, Functional, Process Improvement, Strategic Planning experience

•Comprehensive knowledge in Benchmarking, Customer service, Management reporting, Project management, Trade shows

•Budget, Delivery, Monitors, Relationship Management, Trend

•Business Development, Direction, Negotiating, Reporting, Verbal communication

•Excels in establishing Vendor Contracts, Forecasting,and Pricing

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