The Ohio State University

Marketing and Merchandising Leader

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Self-employed

Product Development, Retail and Direct Sales Consulting

Lead retail activation  initiatives for retail stores by identifying, responding to and leveraging customer preferences that vary by store, region and other groupings. Responsible for driving store marketing, visual merchandising and testing efforts aimed at driving the direction for future store concepts and omnichannel efforts.  Support company-wide growth initiatives by serving as a subject matter expert for merchandising, marketing, store design and operational best practices.

The Yankee Candle Company, Inc.

Director, Retail Activation

Served as a consultant to the company to lead  planning, category management, merchandising, marketing and visuals for retail store chain.  Responsible for overseeing the development and execution of category plans, promotions, floor sets, visual presentation and marketing for all retail stores.   Collaborated across matrix organization, including finance and planning, marketing, visual merchandising, consumer insights and store operations to plan, execute and measure the effectiveness of all retail activation programs.

Acting Director, Retail Activation

Appointed to lead cross-enterprise efforts for the identification and execution of new business opportunities within the direct selling channel, including new product launches, licensing, showrooms, events and online sales enhancements for field. Collaborated with sales field and business partners to launch innovative new product lines and licensing relationships which attracted new consultants and customers while extending opportunities within existing base.

The Longaberger Company

Vice President, New Business and Strategic Partnerships

Facilitated all partnerships between sales and marketing teams.  Managed campaign planning, product design and development, merchandising, marketing, communications, online promotions and overall sales field/customer experience. Provided strategic direction for sales through leadership, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing

Led all sales management functions, including incentives, events, recruiting and career progression. Collaborated with sales field leadership and internal resources to develop effective programs, processes, tools and systems to leverage sales field growth and earning opportunities.

Executive Director, Sales Administration

Responsible for strategic direction for all core product categories and new businesses. Managed revenue, size of line, inventory, and merchandise margin for all categories. Directed a management team of product  line managers and design staff.

Executive Director, Merchandising

Accountable for the design, development and merchandising of all direct-sales product categories, including revenue and margin.

Director, Merchandising and Design

Directed integrated sales projects including members of the company leadership team and sales field.  Responsible for organizational development and process support for newly formed teams consisting of sales relationships and development, sales support, operations and analysis.

Director, Sales Administration and Operations

Provided organizational development, leadership and process support to the creation of a new business area that provided creative services to the enterprise, including product design, brand, graphics, visual styling, events and communications.

Director, Creative Works Operations

Redesigned product development process to integrate across multiple product categories.  Led a cross functional company team consisting of executive leadership and business area leads from marketing, merchandising, design, product development, business planning, sourcing, manufacturing and sales.

Senior Manager, New Product Development

Accountable for research, strategy development, category planning, new product development, marketing activities, revenue and margin for decorative home product line

Senior Product Line Manager, Home Decor

Facilitated product development for home décor category, including implementing PDM system, processes, production support and cost of goods.   Established in-house creative design and technical facility for cut and sewn product. As a result, achieved recognition for cost savings, improved development timelines, quality and improved margins.

Judy Jasper