Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Development
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Kate Wiltzer

Ada,MI

Summary

Results-oriented and seasoned Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a proven track record of driving growth and success in the B2B and B2C. With 20+ years of experience, I have excelled in spearheading business expansion in both wholesale and retail sectors. Skilled in identifying opportunities and implementing practical business strategies with commitment to staying informed about latest trends, technologies and best practices. Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Collaborative with relentless work ethic.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Operating Officer

Duffield Lane
10.2021 - Current
  • Consistent Business Growth of 25%+ Wholesale, Ecommerce and Retail and lead business expansion.
  • Align organizational objectives with company mission to increase business growth and integrate work strategies work directly with CEO
  • Refine organizational structure to consolidate, streamline, and delineate necessary functions.
  • Oversee day-to-day operations to keep organization running smoothly while meeting business goals.
  • Lead wholesale team, outside sales reps and business development opportunities to grow organization and increase revenue.
  • Monitor and analyze industry trends to identify opportunities for organizational growth and competitiveness.
  • Negotiated contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms and maximize profits.

Director of Marketing and Product Development

Bloem Living
09.2018 - 10.2021
  • Company growth of 150%
  • Managed annual marketing budget in excess of over $500K ensuring maximized ROI
  • Part of Executive team to lead business growth and development reporting directly to President and CEO
  • Lead new product development team and wholesale pitches to big box stores including Lowe's and Home Depot.
  • Oversee go-to market plans, marketing strategies and execution, print advertising, catalog of products
  • Boosted brand awareness and generated leads while managing internal and external marketing campaigns and programs.
  • Led team of professionals, offering mentoring and coaching to build knowledge and skills.
  • Developed and presented marketing plans and reports to CEO and shareholders.

VP, Digital Strategy

CQL
09.2017 - Current
  • Develop and execute digital marketing strategy and services for a variety of B2C and B2B enterprise commerce with deep subject matter expertise of the various digital marketing channels and management of all media spends
  • Lead a team of analysts, content specialists, designers and developers
  • Oversee all ROI analysis, measurement plans and direct a results-driven approach to digital convergence
  • Lead measurement initiatives across channels including test and target, multi-variant testing and attribution analysis
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to utilize digital marketing to achieve line of business revenue goals, as part of the overall line of business marketing plans
  • Direct all internal marketing initiatives including traditional media, trade shows, paid search, paid social, website, blog and work directly with sales team leading all lead gen strategies
  • Manage partners to ensure appropriate balance of internal and external resources and performance management
  • As part of the executive team- proposal writing, presentations, planning and budgetary control of all digital marketing tactics
  • Leading and growing a high performing team of digital professionals
  • Brands include: PetSmart, Rec Boat Holdings (Wellcraft, Scarab, Gastron, Four Winns), Jeffers Pet, Costa Del Mar, Wolverine Worldwide (all shoe brands), Vida (StrideRite)

Director of Marketing

Grey Matter Group
06.2016 - 09.2017
  • Consult a variety of brands and manage integrated projects from strategy through implementation managing and allocating all client paid search and paid social spends
  • Strategically lead a cross-functional digital department of copywriters, analysts, designers and developers
  • Determine and calculate profitable budgets and write all digital marketing proposals
  • Develop and direct all process and procedures for social and web development
  • Align business goals, budget, data and consumer insights to provide digital roadmaps and holistic digital plans to B2B and B2C clients
  • Apply methodologies to drive traffic, increase conversion rates and provide results for profitable business growth
  • Oversee all website strategies; site architecture, UI/UX, SEO/SEM
  • Part of the executive leadership to develop the strategic business plan and product deliverables
  • Brands included: Libman, Bloem Living, New Holland Brewery, Great Lakes Scrip, GrapeCity, The Brix @ Midtown

Director of Marketing

Mindscape
11.2012 - 06.2016
  • Consult clients on project needs and direct all digital and inbound marketing strategies
  • Direct and collaborate with a strong team of analysts, designers, copywriters and developers to create websites based on results
  • Responsible for market research, consumer behavior research, buyer persona creation, user path planning, site architecture, brand messaging, content marketing and social media strategy
  • Follow a performance-based agile marketing methodology and recommend enhancements and course corrections as a project lives and breathes in a digital environment, so that content remains valuable to users and continues to pay off on client objectives
  • On-going project management of strategy, analysis, measurements and improvements to bring quality leads and continuous conversions
  • Sat on Executive leadership team to develop the strategic business plan and product deliverables
  • Brands included: Two Men & Truck- all marketing for all franchises, Grand Rapids Chair, Appletree Learning, Bethany Christian Services, Davenport University

Multi-Media Communications Manager

Experience Grand Rapids the Convention & Visitors Bureau
04.2008 - 11.2012
  • Participated in an innovative and collaborative effort to generate economic impact by executing marketing strategy to help promote the destination as a tourism and meetings entity
  • Developed organizational content strategy and integrated media to enhance the brand and further sales and community involvement through all social media communication platforms
  • Supervised customer service department, social media team, and internship program
  • Re-established the Grand Rapids brand, developed and implemented a content strategy for the business, enhanced the visitors guide to better reflect the brand giving it a name and taking it to a digital platform, and developed an organizational blog platform
  • Managed digital media, content strategy, vendors and suppliers, publication management, photography directing, as well as gain an active and social presence in the community.

Project Manager

Cynthia Kay & Company Media Production
08.2003 - 04.2008
  • Directed clients on project needs
  • Developed storyboards
  • Managed all projects from client consulting to completion
  • Managed office invoicing and billing
  • Managed executive scheduling
  • Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
  • Developed and implemented project management system for organization

Education

Bachelor of Science - Public Relations/Advertising

Grand Valley State University, School of Communications

Associates - General Business Administration

Grand Rapids Community College

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Analysis
  • Quickbooks
  • Shopify Ecommerce
  • Business Forecasting
  • Recruitment and Retention
  • Marketing
  • Executive Leadership
  • Performance Management
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Business Development

Professional Development

  • Strategic and creative
  • Strong business and strategic leadership skills. An effective team builder, member, innovator and listener who has the ability to relate to and influence key internal and external contacts and decision makers.
  • Strong research, consumer insights and forecasting skills
  • Innovative and deep expertise in test-to-market messaging and product launch campaigns
  • Understanding of inbound content marketing methodology to drive lead gen strategies
  • Effective analytical, decision-making and problem solving skills
  • Copywriting, press release writing and content curating skills
  • Strong working knowledge of traditional and digital marketing approaches and budget allocation
  • Understanding/application of project management methodology
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Able to envision, manage and coordinate multiple linear projects
  • Experienced with directing and editing photography and video
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Takes full ownership of projects and follows through to completion
  • Quickly learn position-specific software
  • Plan, prioritize and manage own work
  • Collaborates and communicates as part of a team
  • Proficient in all social media paid advertising interfaces, GA, AdWords, Sprout Social, SharpSpring, Listrak, MailChimp, HubSpot, Project Management software, SEO Tools, Moz, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office

Affiliations

Inforum Emerging Leaders of WM, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Board Member, Marketing Group Executive Board, AMA WM Board, AAF WM Board and Educate Committee, ADDY Award committee as Gallery Chair, Boys & Girls Club of WM

Timeline

Chief Operating Officer

Duffield Lane
10.2021 - Current

Director of Marketing and Product Development

Bloem Living
09.2018 - 10.2021

VP, Digital Strategy

CQL
09.2017 - Current

Director of Marketing

Grey Matter Group
06.2016 - 09.2017

Director of Marketing

Mindscape
11.2012 - 06.2016

Multi-Media Communications Manager

Experience Grand Rapids the Convention & Visitors Bureau
04.2008 - 11.2012

Project Manager

Cynthia Kay & Company Media Production
08.2003 - 04.2008

Bachelor of Science - Public Relations/Advertising

Grand Valley State University, School of Communications

Associates - General Business Administration

Grand Rapids Community College

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Kate Wiltzer