Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Rebecca Merriam

Enumclaw

Summary

Strategic Senior Director of Production & Product Design with 8+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams, developing customer-driven products, and executing market-differentiated solutions. Skilled in voice-of-the-customer analysis, translating insights into user needs, and building business cases to guide product strategy. Proven success collaborating with R&D, operations, and commercial teams to ensure compliant, cost-effective, and innovative product launches. Adept at forecasting, competitive positioning, and measuring ROI to drive growth across markets.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Director of Production & Product Design

Virtual Xperiences
05.2023 - Current
  • Partner with clients and Key Opinion Leaders to capture voice-of-the-customer insights and translate them into new product and experience concepts.
  • Lead market research and competitive analysis to define product opportunities and ensure market differentiation.
  • Build robust business cases in collaboration with finance, sales, and geography leaders to drive project prioritization and budget alignment.
  • Oversee product lifecycle strategy from concept through launch, setting schedules, scope, and costs while aligning with cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Work closely with operations and R&D to ensure products meet quality, safety, and compliance standards.
  • Collaborate with design and engineering teams to iterate on product features and packaging based on usability testing and feedback.
  • Develop launch plans including marketing objectives, go-to-market tactics, and global pricing recommendations.
  • Track revenue, unit forecasts, and post-launch performance metrics, recommending adjustments as needed to meet business targets.

Director of Talent & Production

HUNGRY | Virtual Xperiences
02.2022 - 05.2023
  • Partnered with operations, product, and marketing teams to define and optimize Virtual Xperience offerings, contributing to product development roadmaps and SOP creation.
  • Conducted market research and gathered client feedback to guide innovation in programming and talent utilization.
  • Managed a roster of 30+ celebrity talent, aligning them with brand strategy and client goals to differentiate offerings in a competitive marketplace.
  • Led end-to-end coordination of 3,000+ global virtual events, ensuring scalability, operational efficiency, and seamless execution.
  • Established consistent processes and documentation to improve cross-functional collaboration and enhance product delivery.
  • Sourced, interviewed, and onboarded production talent, strengthening team capabilities and ensuring delivery excellence.

Senior Talent Manager

HUNGRY | Virtual Xperiences
10.2020 - 02.2022
  • Built and managed a roster of 30+ celebrity chefs, mixologists, and talent, aligning offerings with client goals and brand positioning.
  • Collaborated with operations and product teams to create SOPs and standardize event processes, improving delivery consistency across 3,000+ global virtual events.
  • Conducted early market research and gathered client/talent feedback to inform product development and event enhancements.
  • Partnered with leadership to design scalable talent engagement strategies and succession plans to support rapid company growth.
  • Recruited, trained, and mentored production hosts to ensure excellent client experiences and team readiness.
  • Acted as live event manager for key client activations, providing real-time problem-solving and ensuring flawless execution.

Chef Network Manager

HUNGRY
03.2020 - 10.2020
  • Built and scaled a network of private chefs and restaurant partners to expand culinary offerings and meet corporate catering demand.
  • Conducted market and trend analysis to curate seasonal menus and ensure offerings aligned with customer preferences and business goals.
  • Partnered with finance and operations to manage catering and purchasing budgets, creating business cases that improved margin performance.
  • Negotiated vendor partnerships to optimize cost structure and ensure quality standards across all experiences.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with product, sales, and operations teams to align supplier capabilities with market needs and growth strategies.
  • Identified process gaps and implemented operational improvements that enhanced client satisfaction and streamlined program delivery.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Communications

Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
05.2014

Skills

  • Product Strategy & Lifecycle Management
  • Voice-of-the-Customer Analysis
  • Market Research & Competitive Positioning
  • Business Case Development & Forecasting
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Human Factors & Usability Testing

Timeline

Senior Director of Production & Product Design

Virtual Xperiences
05.2023 - Current

Director of Talent & Production

HUNGRY | Virtual Xperiences
02.2022 - 05.2023

Senior Talent Manager

HUNGRY | Virtual Xperiences
10.2020 - 02.2022

Chef Network Manager

HUNGRY
03.2020 - 10.2020

Bachelor of Science - Communications

Oklahoma State University

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