Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Vanderburg

Costa Mesa,CA

Summary

Adept at driving product innovation and market expansion, my tenure at Blue Sky showcases a robust blend of strategic licensing, branding expertise, and collaborative teamwork. Leveraging Adobe Creative Suite and PLM software, I've spearheaded cross-functional projects that significantly enhanced retail merchandising effectiveness, underpinned by a keen analysis of market trends and consumer needs.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Sr. DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT & MERCHANDISING

BLUE SKY
07.2024 - Current
  • Aligned strategic business initiatives with comprehensive understanding of market dynamics.
  • Ensured alignment of developed products to brand identity and standards.
  • Worked with multi-functional teams to highlight the financial performance of products and programs.
  • Created categorized and branded product assortment through seasonal bucketing architecture.
  • Directed check-ins to ensure streamlined workflow via strategic program initiatives.
  • Deliver final merchandising updates to executive team & stakeholders.
  • Collaborated strategically with Product Marketing to visually merchandise programs.
  • Collaborated with Graphic Design to identify inserts and assign packaging by brand and position.
  • Monitored and ensured accuracy of all program-related information entered into the PLM system.
  • Managed lifecycle of 1,500 SKUs each season, totaling 3,000 annually.
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration to develop licensed collections for well-known artists, influencers, and national brands in retailers like Target, Walmart, Kohls, Staples, Office Depot, Walgreens & CVS.
  • Made data-driven decisions leveraging historical data, sales performance, trends, and account requirements.
  • Oversees licensed brand products from initial concept to final production across lifecycle stages.
  • Ensured consistency and adherence to brand guidelines.
  • Facilitates communication among Blue Sky, partners, and customers.
  • Managed daily project operations, addressing software and user needs.
  • Facilitates cross-functional coordination across departments for effective project and program execution.
  • Coordinate with Finance and Product Marketing to highlight ROI achievements.
  • Supported creation of presentations and materials for customer and consumer engagement.

Sr. DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, LICENSING

BLUE SKY
01.2022 - 07.2024
  • Strategic Leadership & Account Management: Developed and maintained a comprehensive understanding of the licensing category, competitive landscape, and corporate initiatives
  • Collaborated with leadership to set and maintain brand tier grid standards, aligning with account needs and strategic goals
  • Licensing & Product Lifecycle Management: Oversaw the full product lifecycle for licensed brand product lines, from conception through execution
  • Ensured all products met account specifications and guidelines, while managing the integrity of item information in PLM (Centric SMB)
  • Served as the primary point of contact for PLM software, user needs, and project management across departments
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked closely with Product Marketing, Marketing Communications, Sales, and other departments to curate and deliver seasonal programs and licensed products
  • Managed product approvals, sample tracking, and communication of feedback across teams to ensure on-time delivery
  • ROI & Financial Oversight: Partnered with Finance and Product Marketing to assess and communicate ROI for licensed programs, ensuring alignment with business goals
  • Marketing & Consumer Engagement: Collaborated with Marketing Communications to ensure consumer engagement through well-executed campaigns
  • Assisted in the development of presentations and collateral for both sell-in (customer) and sell-through (consumer) strategies
  • Industry Engagement & Travel: Attended industry trade shows, events, and collaborated with overseas manufacturing partners to support sourcing, development, and maintain key relationships
  • Management: Oversaw workflow of internal Product Managers
  • Maintained open dialogue between executive leadership team as well as other internal stakeholders regarding current initiatives
  • Built relationships with key external partners to ensure successful implementation of business strategies
  • Fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation among all departments within the organization
  • Implemented effective change management practices that enabled smooth transition during times of organizational growth or restructuring
  • Leveraged strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
  • Established metrics to measure success of projects and programs against established goals
  • Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches when evaluating potential solutions or courses of action
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the organization's operations
  • Created and implemented strategies for improving organizational efficiency, productivity, and profitability
  • Coordinated resources across different teams to maximize efficiency throughout organization
  • Identified opportunities for process improvements and cost savings initiatives across multiple teams
  • Retained top talent through effective leadership, mentorship, and clear career paths
  • Contributed to achieving organizational financial objectives through sound financial management
  • Led departmental transformation initiatives, aligning resources and processes with strategic objectives

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, LICENSING

BLUE SKY
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • Maintained a thorough understanding of the dated goods category, competitive landscape, company processes, corporate goals and strategic initiatives as they pertain to current Licensed partners/ brands
  • Was responsible for daily Licensor communication, including asset requests, concept design approvals, relaying official business awards, as well as responsible for all Development needs such as: sample tracking & delivery, documenting feedback for changes and approvals & communicating to internal teams as needed; General management of Licensed artwork library
  • Primary point of contact for all things PLM related, including user needs, training, and project management, Liaison between internal teams & Centric PLM software counterparts
  • Worked closely with Product Marketing to develop and deliver Licensed programs
  • Worked with Marketing Communications to ensure Consumer Engagement is occurring according to process
  • Worked with Graphic Design, PD Creative, Sourcing, Product Marketing, and Sales to curate programs per customer specifications; Ensured products were designed and developed to spec
  • Collaborated with Finance and Product Marketing for awareness of ROI success by account & program
  • Assisted in developing presentations to aid sell-in (customer) and sell-through (consumer)
  • Attended industry tradeshows, events, and travel to overseas manufacturing partners for sourcing & development as needed

SR. PD PROJECT MANAGER

BLUE SKY
06.2017 - 01.2019
  • Lead the sourcing, implementation, & integration of product lifecycle management (PLM) software to enable efficiencies across Blue Sky
  • Primary point of contact for all things PLM related, including user needs, training, and project management throughout implementation and beyond; Liaison between internal teams & Centric PLM software counterparts
  • Oversaw all programs in development, tracked timelines, deliverables and managed cross-functional collaboration & communication across Product Development, Design, Sourcing, & Marketing
  • Lead Seasonal Development Grid, Planning, and PLM Council Meetings; Managed and maintained Seasonal Development Grid; Ensured accuracy of grid & project timelines at all times
  • (Provided 6 months Maternity Leave Support for Sr
  • Licensing Manager)
  • Continuously scouted the relevant landscape for license opportunities including Direct License, Collaborations, Partnerships, and Works for Hire/Commissioned Art
  • Created recommendations within the appropriate Long-Term Development cycle, yet be nimble and capable to solve Short Term Requests as needed
  • Daily communications, approvals, renewals, and general account management and strategy
  • Proactively nurtured relationships to guarantee full financial impact (ensure a win for both sides)
  • Worked closely with Product Marketing to deliver proper assets and creative direction
  • Worked with Marketing Communications to ensure proper outbound marketing communication, messaging and collateral
  • Delivered proper assets, creative kick-off and briefing process for launch and repeat programs
  • Ensured product lines and programs are designed and delivered to spec and that set guidelines are followed
  • Managed product artwork library
  • Collaborated with Finance to determine ROI success by program

PLANNING AND MERCHANDISING MANAGER

BLUE SKY
07.2015 - 06.2017
  • Worked with Sales & Marketing to develop innovative Merchandising solutions for all retail channels; Provided Design direction to Graphics team for presentation needs such as: 2D renderings, digital assets, and samples
  • Coordinated product execution with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain & overseas manufacturing partners to ensure accuracy, approvals, and on-time delivery of product
  • Communicated pack out instructions involving a merchandising vehicle, display, or kit/assortment quantities; Provided display die-lines, load plan, & 2D renderings to reference product placement
  • Requested and tracked pre-production tray/display samples, color proofs, etc.; Communicated any changes, approvals, etc to overseas manufacturing partners
  • Worked with Sales & Marketing to develop display aesthetics that adhered to brand guidelines, as well as each account's seasonal merchandising style guide to maximize shelf/floor effectiveness
  • Worked with PD team to track samples, quotes, and other logistical needs
  • Oversaw workflow of internal Merchandising Managers

GLOBAL PRODUCT DEVELOPER

QUIKSILVER INC.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, USA
01.2015 - 05.2015
  • Worked closely with cross functional team on deliverables to ensure on time sample delivery per global calendar; Requested and tracked all development samples (ie Fabrics, lab dips, strike offs, protos, SMS, PPS, and TOPS) - Responsible for daily vendor communication including adds, changes, drops, updates, etc
  • To styles in development
  • Worked with Design on product visual comments and input of data into PLM systems
  • Worked with Sourcing, Design, and Product Managers on costing options, margins, and goals
  • Ensured accuracy of data entered in PLM, i.e., duty, freight, commission, FOB, factory, lead-time, HTS
  • Followed up on Development issues and alerted global partners
  • Completed PLM/SAP validation and SMS/Production Pushes on behalf of all regions
  • Ensured the integrity of technical packages with design and the organization of fabric trim libraries

PRODUCT LINE MANAGER (SMU) – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, USA
12.2013 - 01.2015
  • Developed and executed product strategies to position DC Apparel & Accessories in specialty, retail, and outlet stores — both domestic and international
  • Acted as liaison between design, sales, development, and production
  • Translated valuable consumer insights & opportunities to build range plans to support seasonal revenue goals, while maintaining consistency with our brand values and image
  • Established merchandising strategies including line plan assortment, market analysis, sales planning, pricing, margin & distribution; Monitored feedback of sell-in and sell-out with sales, retail, and ecommerce
  • Worked with Product Development to achieve targeted WSL/MSRP, desired deliveries, and MOQs to ensure products are brought to consumers in a timely and profitable manner
  • Worked with designers to create and modify technical packages for vendors using Adobe Creative Suite
  • Adjusted BOMs as needed during development process to achieve desired product outcome

ASSOCIATE PRODUCT LINE MANAGER – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, USA
06.2013 - 12.2013
  • Constructed seasonal line plans and coordinated with Sales & Demand Planning to align GMD
  • Acted as liaison between Design, Supply Chain, Sales; Set up styles in PLMA for all COE categories
  • Ensured product development process remained in accordance with the line plan production calendar
  • Assisted with global communication of COE categories—including adds, changes, and drops
  • Entered regional information for non-COE categories; confirmed global counterparts entered information
  • Facilitated Sample/Production pushes from PLMA to SAP
  • Finalized and validated SMS and Production catalogs for sales operations team; Ran Material Audit Reports in SAP to account for errors encountered during push
  • Defined sample ranking with design to fill in SMS (salesman samples) buy log
  • Tracked inbound SMS, Merch/Photo/Bible samples to establish collection plan
  • Set up & merchandised showrooms in conjunction with design team for pre-lines & sales meetings

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, USA
09.2011 - 06.2013
  • Provided administrative support to VP of Design, VP of Merchandising, Directors of Merchandising & Design, as well as all Merchandisers/ Designers of DC Shoes
  • Coordinated and managed monthly, weekly, and daily schedules of M&D Directors and VPs
  • Scheduled and executed departmental meetings, functions, etc., including preparation of meeting materials (reports, handouts), and arranging meals for all meeting attendees
  • Coordinated business and personal travel arrangements (both domestic & international), for all members of M&D (including preparation of itineraries, activities, meetings, etc.)
  • Managed business documents & contract agreements, some containing highly confidential information; Obtained approval from upper-level management on all contracted agreements
  • Tracked and forecasted monthly budgets & expenditures for the department; Worked with Accounts Payable to ensure department's adherence to all quarterly and yearly budgets in place
  • Maintained weekly expense reports & monthly credit card statements using online expense reporting system

Education

CA MULTIPLE SUBJECT TEACHING CREDENTIAL (K-8) -

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
06.2011

B.A. - Sociology, Minor in Sport Management

university of california, santa barbara
06.2007

Skills

  • Licensing
  • Branding
  • Market Category Analysis
  • Merchandising
  • Line Plan Assortment
  • Product Lifecycle Management Software
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • MS Office
  • Market Trends
  • Innovation
  • Collaborative Teamwork
  • Project Management
  • Timelines
  • Deliverables
  • Consumer Group Analysis
  • Target Market Analysis
  • Product Segmentation
  • Effective Licensor Communication
  • Streamlined Approval Processes
  • Retail Merchandising Expertise

Accomplishments

  • Successfully launched 50+ licensed endcaps across mass market, each generating $1M - $5M in gross revenue, contributing to the company’s YOY growth and maintaining market leadership as the #1 dated goods brand.
  • Successfully increased licensed SKU count business awards year over year in mass market inline positions, reinforcing the company's proven track record of successful licensing partnerships.
  • Implemented cost-saving initiatives to segment product offerings, reducing unnecessary expenditure and saving approximately $1M annually.
  • Consistently exceeded gross profit and margin goals each season during my tenure, driving the company’s sustained financial growth and success.
  • Spearheaded the sourcing, implementation, and integration of Centric PLM software, significantly enhancing organizational efficiencies.
  • Rolled out additional software modules, including Bill of Materials (BOM) and Materials/Print Library, streamlining cross-department operations.
  • Saved an average of 30 hours per week by leveraging PLM’s BOM functionality to automate cost calculations, eliminating manual processes.

Timeline

Sr. DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT & MERCHANDISING

BLUE SKY
07.2024 - Current

Sr. DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, LICENSING

BLUE SKY
01.2022 - 07.2024

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, LICENSING

BLUE SKY
01.2019 - 01.2022

SR. PD PROJECT MANAGER

BLUE SKY
06.2017 - 01.2019

PLANNING AND MERCHANDISING MANAGER

BLUE SKY
07.2015 - 06.2017

GLOBAL PRODUCT DEVELOPER

QUIKSILVER INC.
01.2015 - 05.2015

PRODUCT LINE MANAGER (SMU) – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
12.2013 - 01.2015

ASSOCIATE PRODUCT LINE MANAGER – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
06.2013 - 12.2013

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – DC SHOES

QUIKSILVER INC.
09.2011 - 06.2013

CA MULTIPLE SUBJECT TEACHING CREDENTIAL (K-8) -

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

B.A. - Sociology, Minor in Sport Management

university of california, santa barbara

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Jennifer Vanderburg