Connie Ogrinc Hillmann
Wilmington,NC
Summary
Visionary leader with proven track record in steering organizations toward success through strategic planning and effective management. Skilled in building cohesive teams, driving innovation, and enhancing operational efficiency to achieve business objectives. Demonstrated ability to transform challenges into opportunities, resulting in significant impact on company growth and profitability.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Dog Speak
Wilmington, NC
01.2006 - 01.2024
- Built a startup company from the ground up resulting in $1.2 million sales revenue in 9 years
- Responsible for all business and financial metrics; revenues, profit margins, inventory planning, product sourcing, and budgeting
- Hired, managed, trained and developed skills of direct employees, contractors, and multiline sales representatives
- Consistently focused on team collaboration, maintaining high customer service satisfaction, and employee satisfaction and morale
- Marketing responsibilities included: Successful planning and preparation of 4 trade shows per year, designed and created 2 catalogs per year, managed website creation and social media advertising with numerous contractors
- Created, developed, and sourced a product line that grew from 48 greeting cards in 2006 to over 450 greeting cards and gift products
- Ensuring seamless execution from product conception to sourcing and delivery
- Sourced over 100 products consistently every year to maintain customer retention and company growth
- A strong vision for emerging trends, strategic planning and sales forecasting
- Continuous focus on profit margin and ROI with every product development task
- Constantly monitoring individual product sales performance to ensure sales goals were exceeded
- Initiated and maintained strong vendor relationships in the US, China, and India to ensure high quality products that created growth, while enhancing brand image
- Execution of all aspects of Brand Management to exceed customer expectations and maintain the
- Secured a partnership with an Amazon seller to represent the Dog Speak Brand resulting in a long-term relationship resulting in over $50K in annual sales
- Created and committed to smooth supply chain processes
- Purchasing thousands of products with emphasis on analyzing historical and current sales resulting in double-digit sales increases
- Managed all financial transactions; payroll, marketing budgets, purchasing and inventory
National Account Sales Manager
Syroco, Inc.
Baldwinsville, NY
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Managed and Directed the Wall Décor and Garden Décor division of Syroco
- Responsible for sales to major retailers: Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Shokpo, Mills, Lowes, Ace Hardware, Menards, Paddock Pools, Hobby Lobby, Cal-do-it, AAFES, Nexcom, OEM customers, other hardware co-ops and garden/patio retailers
- Revitalized a 40 year old product line and successfully re-introduced the product into the wholesale market place
- Created a domestic line with over 60 sku’s
- Designed and implemented an import program that generated over $250K in incremental sales
- Supervised a sales administrative assistant, an in-house artist, numerous contract artists, and over thirty independent sales rep groups
- Managed a travel budget of $60K which included extensive travel throughout the USA and Canada for Trade Shows, Sales meetings, and key account sales calls
- Directed the design of two new product catalogs by coordinating both photography of the products and catalog layout
- Designed and created retail packaging to maximized product revitalization
- Effectively forecasted sales and production scheduling weekly
National Account Sales Manager
Cape Craftsmen Inc.
Wilmington, NC
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Responsible for national account sales and development
- Directly accountable for $3M in Home Accessory and Gift sales with consistent double digit increases annually
- Oversaw and managed sales to national department stores, regional furniture store chains and other major retail outlets
- Account base consisted of the following: JCPenney Catalog, Dillards, Marshall Fields, Target Direct, Garden Ridge and Yankee Candle
- Attained record trade show sales results when personally representing the company at major national gift shows
- Conducted compelling sales meetings, achieving increased product knowledge, directly impacting sales representative performance
- Responsible for sales program
- Communicated with overseas factories to ensure correctness, completeness, and timely completion of orders for national accounts
- Directed overseas factories in special packaging requirements, product development, quality issues, labeling, and EDI procedures
- Member of the product development team for the wholesale product line
- Responsible for the development of specialty products based on customer requests and designs
Territory Manager
Applause Inc.
Cincinnati, OH
01.1988 - 01.1991
- Directed sales of gift and toy products in Southeastern Ohio
- Increased account base from 60 to 230 accounts
- Increased sales from $20K to $300K in two years
- Ranked by corporation in top 2% of sales force
Account Executive
Rogers American Company Inc.
Wilmington, NC
01.2004
- Accountable for $2.2M in Confection sales in Eastern North Carolina, producing consistent sales increases and customer retention
- Responsible for new product placement and retail execution at three food wholesalers and thirteen grocery store chains
Territory Retail Representative
Hallmark Marketing Corporation
Columbia, SC
01.2004
- Accountable for $4.5K in greeting card and gift sales in Central South Carolina
- Top performer, leading district in Retail Development
- Trained and supervised part-time employees
- Responsible for store installations, expansions, and remodeling
- Member of one of only four Retail Execution test districts in the nation
- Chosen as member of Corporate Headquarters Retail Excellence Task Force
Territory Sales Representative
Hallmark Marketing Corporation
Charlotte, NC
01.2004
- Accountable for $1.9M in greeting card sales in Charlotte, NC
- Immediate impact, increasing account base by 6% in first year
- Trained sales associates and directed store meetings
- Assisted retailers in improving store layouts, increasing inventory turns, and sales to space ratios
- Implemented nationally advertised promotions, maximizing store level results
Skills
- Business development
- Account management
- Organizational leadership
- Product Development & innovation
- Strategic planning
- Sales forecasting
- Marketing strategy development
- Operations management
Timeline
President
Dog Speak
01.2006 - 01.2024
National Account Sales Manager
Syroco, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2006
Account Executive
Rogers American Company Inc.
01.2004
Territory Retail Representative
Hallmark Marketing Corporation
01.2004
Territory Sales Representative
Hallmark Marketing Corporation
01.2004
National Account Sales Manager
Cape Craftsmen Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2004
Territory Manager
Applause Inc.
01.1988 - 01.1991
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