Cathy Carter
Barrington Hills,IL
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Summary
Accomplished leader with a proven track record at Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., and owner start up, adept in driving revenue growth and profitability optimization through strategic planning and process improvement. Skilled in financial management and fostering strong external partnerships, I have consistently enhanced product development and brand management, achieving significant market share expansion.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
President/CEO North America
Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2022 - Current
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Supported project management team for optimal performance.
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings and their marketing plans both in store and online.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and significantly increased market share and profitability.
- Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new product development.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external Asian partners to foster collaboration and maximize revenue.
- Effectively initiated and launched AI into the company in the areas of content, product development and demand planning/forecasting..
Chief Merchant, USA
Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Engaged in product development, training, consumer awareness, branding, and acquisition initiatives to raise awareness and revenues.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Demonstrated products to show potential customers benefits and advantages and encourage purchases.
- Collaborated with advertising group to create uniformity between advertising messages and retail incentives.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
- Coached and promoted high-achieving sales and account management employees to fill leadership positions with qualified staff and boost company growth.
- Aligned company goals with customer outcomes and increased satisfaction by automating contact management systems.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Implemented systems and procedures such as SEO to increase sales both in store and on line.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Increased sales volume and expanded product line to new retailers, and warehouse clubs.
- Maintained financial controls, planned business operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits both at brick and mortar and on line
- Enhanced profitability by developing pipelines utilizing marketing and sales strategies implemented across all channels
- Boosted marketing, reviewed pricing strategies and expanded distribution channels to increase sales revenue.
- Increased profit margins by effectively controlling budget and overhead, SKU rationalization and optimizing product turns.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Prepared sales presentations for clients showing success and credibility of products.
Key Account Sales Executive, Walmart
Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2021
- Built and maintained strong buyer and DVP relationships to drive business growth.
- Trained 3 specific teams to optimize Dorel sales with 15 buyers at Walmart
- Analyzed sales and Industry customer data to identify trends and opportunities for increased profitability both in store and on line.
- Created sales forecasts to target daily, monthly and yearly objectives.
- Developed and delivered presentations to key buyers to win placement of new products in store and on line.
- Developed exclusive product thorough understanding of the Walmart customer needs and requirements to solve needs.
- Fostered lasting relationships with Walmart through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term loyalty and yearly revenue growth
- Developed products and the exclusive Monbebe brand based on Walmart's needs, product specifications and applicable regulations.
- Won Vendor of the Year award for best in class omni product launch for the Monbebe brand.
- Performed effectively in self-directed work environment, managing day-to-day operations and decisions.
- Worked with sales team to collaboratively reach targets, consistently meeting or exceeding personal goals.
- Achieved or exceeded company-defined sales quotas. Increasing sales each year between 5-10% on very well developed businesses.
- Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements with Walmart to achieve profitability goals
President
Carter-Culp and Associates
07.1997 - 10.2017
- Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Supported project management team for optimal performance.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
- Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Built Carter-Culp and Associates from start-up to $200M shipped revenue
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Double Major: Fashion Merchandising
Minor: Economics
Skills
Revenue Growth
- Profitability Optimization
- Product Development
- Financial Management
- Process Improvement
- Cost Control
- Regulatory Compliance
- Business Planning
- Revenue Generation
- Brand Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Worldwide Vendor Negotiations
- SEO
- AI Implementation
- Cost Reduction
- Strategic Planning
- Asian Sourcing
Timeline
President/CEO North America - Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2022 - Current
Chief Merchant, USA - Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2021 - 10.2022
Key Account Sales Executive, Walmart - Dorel Juvenile Group Inc.
10.2017 - 10.2021
President - Carter-Culp and Associates
07.1997 - 10.2017
Utah State University - Bachelor of Science, Marketing