Brigitte Janos Brozenec
Libertyville, IL *****
312-***-**** **********@*****.***
Versatile senior executive with demonstrated, broad portfolio B2B expertise, in leveraging enterprise-wide, integrated, strategic marketing solutions.
WYNRIGHT CORPORATION, Elk Grove, Illinois March, 2011 - Present
A top-five, engineering, manufacturing and system integration company, specializing in warehouse material handling equipment and intralogistic productivity solutions in the supply chain space.
Executive Vice President, Marketing
Responsible for developing an overarching brand, communications, media and integrated marketing strategy for 6 independent product companies – including robotics, software controls, conveyor equipment, order fulfillment, and WMS systems.
BJB CONSULTING – Principal, Libertyville, IL 2009 – 2010
Launched consulting practice to provide advisory services, marketing and communications strategy, and general consulting for small to mid-sized private companies, and entrepreneurs.
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FIRST INDUSTRIAL, INC., Chicago, Illinois 2004 – Dec 2008
A publicly traded provider of supply-chain solutions, and a leading industrial real estate owner and operator, with a capitalization of nearly $8B, in 31 US markets, Canada and Europe.
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Chief Marketing Officer
Reported to CEO and responsible for conceiving and leading the enhanced corporate positioning and go-to-market strategy.
• Brand strategy: Architect of revamped company-wide strategy, positioning, and brand promise, which required full scale service offering changes, redeployment of sales function, and launch of multi-layered integrated communications program promoting new identity.
• Segmented Communications: Designed complex messaging system to impact 5 assorted target markets (segments) on each of 4 different capabilities- utilizing project management formats.
• Global Expansion Strategy: Established international brand launch campaign for entry into the European market in 2008.
• Web Strategy: Conceived and designed new global website in 8 month time period.
• Process improvement: Reengineered planning process, internal approval and routing processes, budgeting approach, and general interface of marketing activities and resources, with all regional offices.
• Voice of Customer: Initiated market research to drive segmented approach– which led to new offerings, such as advisory/supply-chain resources, and Green/LEED certification for assets and key client support personnel.
• Internal Branding: Reinvigorated marketing across the company, introduced internal communications programs. Routinely educated organization on marketing best practices; energized and prepared regional offices for executing local marketing plans, and, re-engineered function and activities of centralized Marketing department..
• Designed Incentive Programs: Conceived and developed multi-tiered recognition and loyalty programs, which increased new business production, competitiveness and brand awareness.
JOHNSON DIVERSEY INC., Sturtevant, Wisconsin 2001 to 2004
A leading $2.6 billion global provider of commercial and institutional cleaning products and building care maintenance solutions – part of the SCJohnson family of companies.
Vice President, Product Portfolio, Innovation and Operations – North America 2002 -2004
Reporting to President, directed complex, multi-sector portfolio and operations of post- acquisition integrated company, comprising of 99 positions and 13 Director level reports. Functions included Research and Technology, Innovation, Product Platforms and Segment Marketing, Commercialization, Regulatory and Compliance, Sales Pricing Strategy, Customer Technical Support and Services, Application and Segment Training, Marketing Services and Communication, CRM, and Call Center.
• Organization Re-engineering: Streamlined and unified decision-making process for Marketing and Sales by developing new portfolio organization to reflect the “customer facing” initiative for 4 subsidiaries, and DiverseyLever.
• Sector Communications Strategy: Initiated foundation for sector marketing by leading the brand positioning and strategy development for multi-channel distribution and sales deployment across newly identified targeted sectors, i.e. Retail, Healthcare, Lodging and Foodservice. This required substantial re-engineering of organization structure, including Sales, to meet strategic vision.
• Cost Streamlining: Reduced costs $20MM, by directing first year synergy efforts, plans and processes, and reduced department from 146 to 99 positions without customer complaints.
• Product Commercialization: Introduced company’s first multi-segment, multi-channel product launch that exceeded the $5MM projection in first year, and included a full multi-media “buzz’ campaign to include a channel, sales force, building contractor and distributor incentive and training program.
Vice President, Marketing 2001-2002
Hired as a change agent to establish a formalized, sector-based marketing function in the heritage company. Instituted “voice of customer” in department of 8 director level reports.
• Led due diligence strategy activity for Marketing and Sales, including team assembly, synergy identification, opportunity analysis, competitive review and strategic fit for acquisition.
• Developed multi-sector marketing programs to fortify total value proposition that became the cornerstone of pending acquisition of DiverseyLever from Unilever.
USG INC, Chicago, Illinois 1998 to 2001
Leading global manufacturer of interior building products and supplies, also known as US Gypsum.
Vice President, eBusiness 2001
Brought USG to an electronic platform; led the newly formed e-commerce initiative to develop an industry-wide, multi-company electronic marketplace. Position eliminated due to USG’s move for bankruptcy protection when Asbestos lawsuits were escalating.
Vice President, Marketing 1998-2001
Reporting to CEO Interiors, established global strategic marketing initiatives, and reengineered organization reflecting the enhanced customer focus, which included broader channels, such as distributor, dealer, installer, builders and architects, in newly identified market segments.
• Led market research to identify and determine “voice of the customer” in US and International markets, which were underserved or poised for organic growth.
• Together with VP Manufacturing, elevated service levels to 3 days by rationalizing products and manufacturing locations, pruning product portfolio, and balancing manufacturing and distribution plans to accommodate customer expectations.
• Redefined “The Solution Center”, an off-site product design and development showroom, as an award winning, customer-friendly facility. Awarded AIA Design Excellence Award in 2000. Successfully attracted record attendance to this facility during NEOCON, an industry event, in 2001.
• Exceeded expectations for product introductory life cycle for 5 new products by shortening development and roll out time period. Primary technical product outperformed projections by 60 %. (Drywall grid).
• By conceiving of product road map, orchestrated creation of multi-disciplined new product executive committee which resulted in a 3 year tactical plan to deliver $70MM in new products and services.
• Improved processes and re-deployment efforts by acting as change agent to review policies and practices, audit resources, and revamp product strategies to ensure consistency and compliance
• Combated competitive posturing by strategically introducing UL-approved acoustical ceiling products, thereby raising the industry standard for specification adherence and trade awareness.
TENNECO PACKAGING, Lake Forest, Illinois 1986 to 1997
Eleven years of diversified experience in sales and general management, marketing, product commercialization, operations and international business for a $4 billion, global, multi-materials packaging manufacturer, now Pactiv and PCA.
Vice President, Sales and Marketing (1997)
Post disposition, reporting to EVP Container Board, led the conceptualization, design, development and full-scale launch of new paper-based product to build a non-traditional applications business.
• Managed engineering and operations project constituting $5MM capital expenditure for equipment upgrade and commercialization efforts. Assembled sales team and strategy to support business.
Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing (1994-1996)
Reporting to EVP and CFO, in preparation for disposition, successfully orchestrated sales turnaround for $130MM division consisting of 2 manufacturing mills and 385 employees.
• Expanded sales volume to capacity by developing and building divisions’ first US export department to support intercontinental customers in Europe and Asia. Identified international customers and markets.
• Initiated and implemented computerized sales and customer support systems that centralized, to one location, the customer order processing, sales support, production scheduling, and other liaison services, which led way to reduced cost sales/service reorganization.
• Surpassed sales goals during industry–wide downturn, while successfully positioning business for eventual disposition. Capacity utilization results solidified successful transaction with 1996 sale.
Vice President, International Sales/Marketing (1992-1994)
Reporting to EVP International, provided strategic marketing and sales leadership for both company and Joint Ventures, for $250MM, full-spectrum packaging materials business.
• Formed global partnerships with multi-national corporate customers with offshore manufacturing, i.e. G.E. Nestle and Colgate that defined product and service offerings.
• Led management team responsible for identifying and selecting international acquisition and joint venture candidates for East European expansion in Hungary and Romania resulting in two acquisitions.
• Based in Budapest, Hungary, directed first post-privatization sales and marketing efforts for Hungarian joint venture, as executive lead for Tenneco.
• Managed Sales and Marketing for manufacturing Joint Venture in China, and represented Tenneco on Board of Directors of Chinese joint venture in DongGuan, China.
Business Unit Director –Food Service and Agricultural Packaging (1986-1991)
Reporting to Divisional President, full P/L responsibility for $80MM unit of $220MM business with 5 manufacturing sites. Managed unit to realize an increase of 43% in operating profit.
• Led management/manufacturing team in turn around of major product portfolio from a loss to 40+%, and increased revenues by $5MM in 6 months.
Prior:
INTERLAKE CORPORATION, Acme Steel and Packaging, Oak Forest, IL
Sales Manager, Industrial Products
SIGNODE INDUSTRIES, (now ITW), Glenview, IL
Product/Market Specialist, Sr. Market Planning Analyst, Materials Management Analyst while pursuing MBA
EDUCATION
MBA, Marketing, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL 1982
BA, Psychology/Education, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, 1976
CERTIFICATIONS
Web Commerce (eBusiness), DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Project Management, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
OTHER INFORMATION/ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Women Director Development Program, JL Kellogg School, Northwestern University
Strategies for E-Business, JL Kellogg School, Northwestern University
Institute for Professional Development, DePaul University
Guest lecturer at DePaul University’s Management program, and other industry events
Board Member & leader of Board Governance Committee, for Not-for-profit transitional housing shelter in Chicago
Member of Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Conversant in German