ASHLY HIGGINS
Summary
Experienced Project Manager well versed at planning, directing and maintaining continuous operations in various departments. Applying creative and analytical approach to operations for continuous process improvement. Skilled at identifying or anticipating problems and providing solutions. Excels through mentoring, training and empowering team to excel in performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Manager
MEIYUME
08.2022 - Current
- Project Management of new product launches to support the commercialization of packaging, turnkey, or bags/beauty accessories launches
- Overseeing and facilitating all phases of the product development life cycle between initial briefing through award
- Acts as liaison between Client, Sales, Sourcing, Product Development, and Technical Packaging in all areas relating to the product-to-market timeline
- Supports and facilitates the seamless flow of communication between cross-functional teams
- Assesses individual project risks and identify process improvement opportunities to initiate action plans when required
- Resolves all timeline issues and negotiates with impacted department(s) to develop tactical plans when missed due dates occur to bring project back on track
- Identifies and works with Director to escalate and communicate critical issues and next steps/resolution
- Provides input as it relates to feasibility/preliminary costing process for new projects and value analysis, if applicable
- Investigates and help resolve issues with focus factories / cost accounting
- General knowledge of manufacturing, materials and other factors that drive costs
- Management of tight timelines and long development/operational lead times require close attention to dates to ensure projects stay on schedule
- Identifies areas for improvement in existing processes and proposed innovative solutions to optimize performance
- Successfully managed multiple projects with tight deadlines and budgets while consistently meeting customer requirements
- Resolved escalated issues in a timely manner by utilizing sound judgment and decision making capabilities
- Demonstrated leadership skills to manage project resources and cultivate strong customer relationships
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of resources needed for successful completion of projects.
Project Planning Manager
COSMAX
01.2021 - 08.2022
- Main point of contact between customer and marketing & operations
- Prepares timelines, RFQ's, and Quotes for clients
- Prepares BOM's for new, restage as well as promotional SKUS and completes project workbooks as needed
- Coordinates component and secondary packaging & artwork for new SKU proposals to vendor
- Prepares project trackers and updates on a daily basis as launch moves from inception to completion
- Communicates to sales and marketing of any potential hiccups or delays related to operations so that end customer can be notified accordingly to avoid any last minute issues
- Project Management- coordination between all Sales, R&I, Quality, Purchasing and long term planner and customer.
Turnkey Product Development Associate
WORLD WIDE PACKAGING
09.2018 - 03.2020
- Utilizes trends and knowledge of competitive landscape to identify gaps in current product assortments
- Work with product marketing and compliance team to validate claims and marketing ingredients behind products to support their vision and story
- Follows creative direction and helps assist in shade names and layouts
- Work with engineering on tooling new components for customers
- Work with chemist on formulas and colors, reviews all formula and component samples
- Maintains records of product development process
- Evaluates multiple project submissions daily
- Creates lab requests and provides feedback
- Issues open order & open development reports to customers
- Attends trade shows to keep ahead of market
- Inputs Quote Requests to Factory and to Internal Purchasing Team, Issue PO's
- Develops Product Profile Briefs for customer projects
- Sources components and formulas from suppliers to best fit customers needs
- Execute Project Timelines and follows up with customers through process on timing.
Color and Product Development Coordinator
INNOVATIVE COSMETIC CONCEPTS
04.2015 - 09.2018
- Color and Product Development, Cosmetic Color and Product Development
- Create palette layouts for high end cosmetic brands
- Work with graphic artist on packaging development
- Work with Chemists on formula and colors
- Review all sample submissions and lab samples
- Maintain timelines for all projects, maintain records of product development process
- Follows creative direction and helps come up with shade names and formulas
- Assist President and Vice President, travel with them and lead meetings
- Follows all worldwide trends, attend trade shows to keep ahead of market
- Manage Clients Accounts: Too Faced Cosmetics, It Cosmetics, Bloomingdale's, Al Tayer, Saks Off Fifth.
Makeup Artist/ Brand Representative
TOO FACED COSMETICS
06.2014 - 04.2015
- Traveling to Macy, Ulta, and Sephora locations in the state of New Jersey
- Run corporate events, exceed sales goals
- Train employees on new products, demo new looks
- Brand support, performing makeup as well as educating clients on brand and selling
- Stock - Keeping account of each store and what products we need on a weekly basis
- Developed a deep understanding of the company's products and services in order to effectively communicate its value proposition
- Represented the company's brand at industry events, expos, and trade shows.
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President
MEADOWBROOK INVENTIONS INC
01.2013 - 06.2013
- Provided assistance and resolved issues for all customer service needs
- Assisted with daily operations and procedures
- Daily contact with all accounts
- Coordinated Work Flow
- Kept projects on schedule and meet deadlines
- Composed reports, stock lists, processed replies for all areas of company
- Assisted Vice President with scheduling events, meetings, and appointments
- Served as primary point of contact for facilitating operational and administrative inquiries.
Sales Specialist
LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP
02.2010 - 10.2011
- Manage daily operations that included daily contact with brokers
- Assist sales representatives with quotes for Life, LTD, STD, and Dental products
- Oversee all customer service issues between home office and brokerage partners
- Submits accurate and timely sales reports
- Organizes account records on sold and enforced groups
- Attended scheduled training sessions, department meetings, and company events to build expertise and promote company image
- Maintained knowledge of current product lines, pricing structures, and promotions
- Generated leads and maintained lists of prospective customers.
Professional Makeup Artist
BOBBI BROWN BLOOMINGDALES
11.2007 - 02.2010
- Performed skincare and make-up applications on a daily basis
- Established new customer accounts and contacted customers with store special
- Educated clients on skin care, new products, and make up application
- Succeeded in building new client accounts while retaining current client base
- Consistently exceeded sales targets
- Well-versed in recommending suitable beauty products based on customer needs and preferences
- Developed strong communication skills to understand client needs and preferences
- Ability to generate repeat business by building strong relationships with clients through excellent customer service.
Color Expert/Skincare Specialist/Sales
SEPHORA INC
08.2005 - 11.2007
- Advised and consulted clients on skincare
- Attended seminars to gain product knowledge and help promote skin care lines
- Designed a color palette to help clients with color choices for makeup
- Assisted with training new store personnel
- Met and exceeded all sales targets.
Education
Aesthetician License -
Artistic Academy
05.2007
Associate Degree -
Raritan Valley Community College
05.2005
Graduate -
Ridge High School
06.2003
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- AS400
- Salesforce
- SAP
- NPDS
- Retail POS
Volunteer Experience
HOME FOR GOOD DOGS, Berkeley Heights, NJ, 06/01/22, Present
Certification
Lean Six Sigma Certification
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
MEIYUME
08.2022 - Current
Project Planning Manager
COSMAX
01.2021 - 08.2022
Turnkey Product Development Associate
WORLD WIDE PACKAGING
09.2018 - 03.2020
Color and Product Development Coordinator
INNOVATIVE COSMETIC CONCEPTS
04.2015 - 09.2018
Makeup Artist/ Brand Representative
TOO FACED COSMETICS
06.2014 - 04.2015
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President
MEADOWBROOK INVENTIONS INC
01.2013 - 06.2013
Sales Specialist
LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP
02.2010 - 10.2011
Professional Makeup Artist
BOBBI BROWN BLOOMINGDALES
11.2007 - 02.2010
Color Expert/Skincare Specialist/Sales
SEPHORA INC
08.2005 - 11.2007
Aesthetician License -
Artistic Academy
Associate Degree -
Raritan Valley Community College
Graduate -
Ridge High School