Fashion

Travel

Food

Plants/gardening

Nonprofit work

AmeriCorps Member

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Senior business professional with over 20 years of leadership experience
*Strategic and tactical brand management, spearheading of clearly identifiable brand vision and positioning 
*Accurate and actionable analysis of competitive field and market trends
*Engineering of significant, measurable processes leading to increased efficiency and productivity
*Effective execution of cost reduction initiatives, price negotiation, budget and margin management
*Motivational training and mentoring of staff
*Exceptional team builder skilled at leading cross-functional teams 
*Expert manager of vendor-partner and licensor relationships
*Dedicated team leader and presenter for volunteer/non-profit community service organizations 


* Contracted by the Disaster Workforce Engagement department to create a comprehensive leadership development program for Greater New York Disaster Cycle Services managers
* Responsible for developing and teaching a workshop on "Coaching and Mentoring" for disaster corps managers
* Participation in local and national emergency responses and humanitarian activities including COVID-19 projects
* Provision of fire safety training to at risk New York City communities
*Service contract ends October 2020

Present Responsibilities and achievements include:
* Head of Product for Citizen's multimillion dollar business in the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK
* Proactively managed the product development and merchandising teams in New York, and directed designers and brand planners in Asia to collaboratively create the Citizen line for COA's multi-million dollar business
* Served as lead product liaison with Citizen's global head office in Tokyo
* Oversaw team negotiating initial product costs and controlling margins on all new product introductions. Improved Gross Margin Return on Investment 140 basis points by reducing cost of goods and improving inventory management
* Responsible for corporate presentations of product and merchandising strategies at quarterly sales meetings
* Directed the development of new product and implemented merchandising strategies which set in motion a turnaround in Citizen's women's business, resulting in a 20% increase in COA Group's women's product sales in 2018
* Oversaw strategic merchandising and product development for Citizen's start up clock division (launched in 2017)
* Initiated personalization project set to premiere in 2020 on Citizen's recently launched ecommerce site
* Partnered with Amazon on co-branded smart home technology product
* Led the development of smart aromatherapy product in collaboration with a beauty industry partner

Vice President Merchandising & Product Development

* Drove the launch of the timepieces subsidiary of Haskell Jewels (both since purchased by Centric Brands)
* Established timepieces vendor base and compliance systems for this new start up division
* Successfully engineered turnaround of Betsey Johnson watch line by creating brand appropriate, value-based assortment
* Average weekly sell-through in Betsey Johnson watches increased by 23% in 2012 over 2011
* Improved Betsey Johnson watch category margin by 4% in 2012 leading to increased divisional profitability
* Helped lead presentation securing the Steve Madden watch license and launched the collection in October 2013
* Spearheaded design of Robert Lee Morris collection which debuted August 2015 on QVC
* Developed new product line for the relaunch of Tommy Bahama lifestyle watches in 2016

INDUSTRY CONSULTANT AT AVON PRODUCTS, INC	Merchandising, Design and Product Development

Vice President Design & Product Development

spearheaded marketing, design, product development and sourcing for the new Avon Global Jewelry and Watch division's launch. Also led projects for other industry clients and developed product for QVC
* Designed, sourced, developed and priced fashion watch line launched by the new Avon Global division in 1Q 2011
* Secured strategic alliances and licensing agreements with global brands and celebrities for Avon Global
* Introduced and set up eight factory-direct suppliers for Avon Global Jewelry and Watches division launch
* Directed design of Diamonique brand timepieces placed at QVC UK within first two months of contract at Ewatch

Consultant, acting VP at Avon Products

Strategic oversight of Design, Product Development, Sourcing for licensed gifts, clocks, watches and jewelry boxes
* Helped launch and establish compliance standards for new product line (licensed watches)
* Conceptualized and developed product which led to increased sales of licensed clocks by US$2M
* Spearheaded development of Disney licensed gift sets resulting in US$2.5M holiday promotion

Vice President / Co-Division Head

* Successfully drove a portfolio (watches, fine and sterling jewelry) with an annual volume of $130M
* Established new timepieces vendor base utilizing industry contacts
* Revamped strategy for fine jewelry leading to 15% increase in sales. Watch sales increased 20% in 4Q06 over 4Q05
* Developed financial plan for and produced licensed watch flyer that resulted in increased incremental sales for division
* Partnered with a vendor on NFL licensed watch program to help drive sales in 4Q05, resulting in top selling product of the year for the division
* Creatively improved product mix and increased average margin by +2%.

Senior Manager, Product Marketing

* Oversaw and consistently grew business of $80M+ annual volume
* Grew business at Walmart, HSN and Steinmart by 15%, 25% and 20%, respectively

Vice President Merchandising

* Responsibilities included managing designers, leading product development, communicating with overseas vendors, price negotiation, maintaining margins, tracking deliveries, and attending trade fairs and customer meetings
* Grew ladies licensed timepiece business (Chic and LA Express) by 30% over a 3-year period

Product Development Manager

* Oversaw the R&D, product development and design teams in both Hong Kong and China for global product line
* Managed sales and marketing team of 10 Hong Kong-based and six China based managers and associates
* Generated new business and increased sales at existing accounts. U.S. and U.K. business increased by 30% and 10%

Director of Marketing

* Developed successful new fashion timepiece category that generated US$10 million in sales worldwide in year one
* Responsible for all sales and marketing for the North, Central and South American markets

Sales and Product Development Executive

Find out detailed information about Cherie Thorn, AmeriCorps Member in New York, NY

Cherie Thorn: AmeriCorps Member in New York, NY

Cherie Thorn