Karlien Murray
Lutz,FL
Summary
Proven leader in business development, leveraging expertise in compliance management and team collaboration to drive strategic growth and market penetration. At MereCi USA Luxury Materials, spearheaded new product lines, achieving significant revenue streams in the luxury packaging sector. Skilled in relationship building and critical thinking, consistently delivering results beyond expectations.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
MereCi USA Luxury Materials
2024.01 - Current
- Support and initiate opportunity to introduce a new product line for distribution to North America.
- Identify new and profitable revenue streams within the luxury packaging sector.
- Successfully manage sales pipeline, attend client meetings and manage clients’ requirements from initial briefing, through development to end result.
- Support the in-house team and specifications representatives in various locations with product knowledge.
- Accurately and professionally develop product needs from client through to supply base and manufacturer.
- Ensure that colleagues are able to get support for ultimate delivery of product.
- Educate clients on the social and environmental impact and compliance of the products.
- Advocating the value of social and environmental impact to the in-house team and specifications representatives in various locations (e.g. championing sustainability through products and services)
- Seeking and delivering work which not only delivers commercial value but increases the social and environmental impact for clients.
- Meeting with the in-house team, specifications representatives, President and manufacturer representatives on a regular basis to drive sales and visibility of products.
- Write articles for social media platform to showcase value proposition and quality of the products.
- Create processes, training and systems internally for logistics and warehouse operations to support the distribution of the products.
Business Development
Clampitt Paper Company
2022.10 - Current
- Expertly match products and services to client needs.
- Act as an ambassador for products and services.
- Successfully schedule and conduct appointments to demonstrate the unique value of offerings.
- Identify and nurture long-term working relationships with clients.
- Build trust and credibility with both internal and external clients.
- Record activities, follow-ups, and collateral placement in the CRM system.
- Track potential and established projects through the lifecycle required.
- Provide high-level client service and follow-up in a friendly, professional, and timely manner.
- Schedule appointments, attend team meetings, and give / receive regular training.
- Work closely with the Vice President of Marketing to evolve product specification strategy and execution.
- Utilize samples and materials to inspire and educate customers.
- Maintain sample libraries for customers.
- Offer product consultations, answer questions, and provide recommendations and solutions.
- Invite customers for product-related meetings and events.
- Participate in social and marketing events, including open days, industry events, and gala celebrations.
Vice President of Marketing / Business Owner
AlphaGraphics Fort Worth
2019.07 - 2022.10
- Managed branding campaigns and event marketing initiatives in print, web and social media.
- Oversaw development of traditional and social media marketing campaigns to drive sales and customer engagement.
- Drove company branding efforts to increase market presence and brand recognition.
- Designed innovative branding and product strategies.
- Increased market awareness and penetration through development of creative collateral.
- Remained current on industry trends to better understand customer needs, product effectiveness and sales tactics.
- Executed local, regional, and national marketing and branding initiatives to drive sales within existing and prospective accounts.
- Networked with potential and existing clients and promoted the business and brand.
Retreat Director / Business Owner
Massage Heights Southlake
2020.10 - 2022.10
- anages daily administrative operations, including customer relationship management IT systems (database), scheduling, billing, and member engagements.
- Managed the business through COVID and grew revenues and memberships by implementing sales and marketing campaigns, improving customer experiences, and negotiating and implementing strategic alliances with entities such as Groupon.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Grew the team by sourcing well-qualified employees using new recruitment strategies.
- Furthered brand awareness through local print, digital, and mailing campaigns, as well as face-to-face client and member engagements.
- Implemented comprehensive team plan, clarified roles of members and introduced new processes to boost quality across all departments.
Customer Experience Officer / Business Owner
AtPhoto Professional Imaging
2013.08 - 2019.02
- Developed and grew a loyal client base of professional photographers, to become the 2nd largest professional wholesale photo album manufacturer in South Africa.
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Achieved sales goals and increased revenue and profits through productive strategy development and organizational leadership.
Education Training and Quality Assurance Manager
Professional Accreditation Body
- Participated in setting up unit standards and legislative framework for the industry represented.
- Participated in close working relationship with all departments within the South African Qualifications Framework (SAQA) to establish, manage and comply with all educational standards in the framework.
- Participated in close working relationship with all departments within the South African Qualifications Framework (SAQA) to establish, manage and comply with all educational standards in the framework.
- Contextualize, Design, implement, maintain, and update a Quality Management System.
- Ensure continuous compliance to different departments and stakeholders as well as Quality assuring bodies policies and procedures.
- Engage and build Stakeholder relationships and ensure the holding of records thereof.
- Research and create a process and workflow model for management organizational requirements.
- Manage ETQA Staff against activities, responsibilities
- Manage external moderation visits and verifications, and follow up.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Classical Languages And Literatures
University of Pretoria
Pretoria South Africa03.1997
Skills
- Risk Assessment
- New business opportunities
- Regulatory knowledge
- Compliance Management
- Staff Development
- Critical thinking abilities
- Raw Material Inspection
- Attention to Detail
- Clear Communication
- Team Collaboration
- Decision-Making
- Relationship Building
- Team Building and Leadership
- Microsoft Office
- Employee Training
- Product Launches
- Press releases
- Customer Engagement
- Content Creation
- Client Engagement
- Editing and proofreading
- Social Media Marketing
- Administrative Support
- Project Management
- Product marketing
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Event Planning
- Project Support
- Operations Support
- Presentation Development
- Direct Mail Campaigns
- Business Correspondence
- Client Relationship Management
- Customer Service
- Team Leadership
- Email Marketing
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Brand Promotion
- Brand Development
- Client Retention
- Customer Presentations
- CRM Software
Accomplishments
Awarded the inaugural annual "Spa Ambassador Award" by international trade magazine Les Nouvelles Aesthetique for exceptional service to the Spa Industry in South Africa
PIA Mid America award for Business Development team of the year 2023-2024
Languages
Afrikaans
Full Professional
English
Full Professional
Dutch
Elementary
French
Elementary
Zulu
Elementary
Timeline
Business Development Manager
MereCi USA Luxury Materials
2024.01 - Current
Business Development
Clampitt Paper Company
2022.10 - Current
Retreat Director / Business Owner
Massage Heights Southlake
2020.10 - 2022.10
Vice President of Marketing / Business Owner
AlphaGraphics Fort Worth
2019.07 - 2022.10
Customer Experience Officer / Business Owner
AtPhoto Professional Imaging
2013.08 - 2019.02
Education Training and Quality Assurance Manager
Professional Accreditation Body
Bachelor of Arts - Classical Languages And Literatures
University of Pretoria
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