Samantha Lee
Bentonville,AR
Summary
- Passionate global private brand Agency Director
- Builds every customer a better future through positive integrity, strong ethics, and sustainable values.
- Offers transparent, robust and accountable Leadership across all levels, setting the strategic direction and tone for team success and delivery.
- Oversees diverse cross functional stakeholder groups to deliver goals, objectives, priorities, leading to sales growth, and profitability.
- Directs momentum of complex program management through gap analysis, project management, continuous improvement, great agility to pivot and assess and overcome risk, aligned with human empathy and understanding.
- Hugely experienced in end to end delivery of product and packaging working with Manufacturers, Product Development, Sourcing, and Merchants
- Storyteller, communicator, brand lover, real retail passion, trend, innovation and insights approach,, 20-year record with on time brand delivery to huge sales success and brand equity growth.
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Walmart Brands Director
Sun Branding
Bentonville , AR
04.2020 - Current
- Championed and delivered new WM programs eHalo, (Sustainability Data) Digimarc (Store/Supply Chain coding), Color Management, Brand Management
- Worked with every level of Walmart and Brand Manufacturing stakeholders
- Guided and completed major Brand Redesigns - Great Value, Equate multi billon Walmart Sales growth over 7 years
- Developed team of Creative, Brand, Print, Project Management professionals
- Managed creation and delivery of full P&L and ROI.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources
- Led cross-functional teams to implement strategic initiatives and enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed and executed long-term business strategies to drive organizational growth and market expansion.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through mentorship and performance management programs.
- Analyzed market trends to inform decision-making and align resources with strategic priorities.
- Spearheaded change management efforts, ensuring alignment across multiple departments during transitions.
- Established key performance indicators to measure success and optimize organizational processes.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to define vision, mission, and strategic objectives for the organization.
- Directed budget planning and resource allocation, ensuring financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as sales forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
Walmart Design Director
Parker Williams Design
Bentonville, AR
04.2016 - 05.2020
- Led design strategy, overseeing project development and ensuring alignment with brand objectives.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance product design processes and foster innovation.
- Directed user experience research initiatives to inform design decisions and improve customer satisfaction.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance on best practices and professional development opportunities.
- Presented design concepts to stakeholders, effectively communicating vision and securing buy-in for projects.
- Evaluated industry trends to identify opportunities for creative growth and competitive advantage in designs.
- Established design guidelines that enhanced consistency across all platforms while maintaining brand integrity.
Woolworths, Brand Agency Director
Kestrel
Sydney, Australia
09.2012 - 04.2016
- Led Agency for all multi- tiered Private Brands relaunch at Woolworth's
- Delivered first Organic, Premium, Ready Meal ranges at retailer to great ongoing success
- Relaunched Core and Mid Stream brand tier to strong sales and uplift in % participation growth
- Re-imagined Seasonal Packaging through better design, program synergies and efficiencies
- Directed multi disciplinary Farm to Fork team, worked with Senior Merchant, Sourcing, Product Development stakeholders
- Responsible for all Packaging Process efficiencies, accurate Brand Guidelines, visual Brand equities.
- Directed agency operations, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and client expectations.
- Developed and implemented operational policies to enhance workflow efficiency and service delivery.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing projects, fostering collaboration and accountability among staff.
- Analyzed market trends to inform strategic decision-making and identify growth opportunities for agency services.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, enhancing satisfaction and retention rates.
- Recruited, hired, and developed top candidates for open vacancies and retained staff using consistent mentoring and positive feedback.
- Championed diversity initiatives within the workplace, creating an inclusive environment where all employees felt valued and included.
- Developed strategic plans for the agency, resulting in significant growth over time.
Tesco Brand Packaging Director
Kestrel
London, Prague, Los Angeles
05.2002 - 09.2012
- London, England - Senior Account Manager - Account Director
- Original Launch- new Tesco Finest Brand- multi million sales growth
- Delivered new innovative Ready Meal Brands in competitive FMCG environment
- Developed new Packaging process with Legal & Product Development teams for better Right First Time and improved Speed to Market.
- Prague, Czech Republic - European Account Director
- Invited by Tesco to develop European Private Brand Packaging Process across Tesco Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Poland and UK in start up of Global Sourcing team.
- Tesco private brands participation grew from 14% to 25%
- Los Angeles, CA, USA - Packaging Operations Director
- Operational Packaging Director for new Private Brands at Fresh & Easy - working with Technical Teams on California Food, Packaging and Sustainable regulations to deliver fresh new packaging to store
- Strengthened controls to minimize waste and reduce costs
- Led cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and enhance operational efficiencies.
- Developed and implemented performance metrics to evaluate team effectiveness and project outcomes.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve strategic goals and enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive business strategies to drive organizational growth.
- Directed risk management initiatives, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards.
- Analyzed market trends to inform executive decision-making and resource allocation.
- Mentored senior management, fostering leadership skills and professional development initiatives.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Achieved remarkable turnaround of underperforming divisions through strategic leadership and restructuring.
- Improved team morale and productivity by implementing comprehensive professional development program.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Film/Marketing Communication 2:1 Upper Class
Derby University
Derby, UK06.1994
Skills
- Global retail brand strategist
- Develops customer success strategies
- Advocacy for sustainable practices
- Program management excellence
- Skilled in trend analysis
- Fosters enduring partnerships
- Team development
- Effective solution developer
- Brand identity organization
- Visual concept development
- Packaging specialist
- Interest in retail trends
- Team leadership
- Process optimization expertise
- Organizational strategy development
- Analytical decision-making
- Team management
- Original idea generation
- Performance objectives
- Project management
- Talent growth initiatives
- Organizational growth strategies
- Measurable goal planning
- Financial oversight
- Change process facilitation
- Comprehensive business strategy development
- Conflict resolution skills
- Strategic program execution
- Collaborative negotiation techniques
- Talent acquisition and retention
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
Languages
Portuguese
Elementary
Timeline
Walmart Brands Director
Sun Branding
04.2020 - Current
Walmart Design Director
Parker Williams Design
04.2016 - 05.2020
Woolworths, Brand Agency Director
Kestrel
09.2012 - 04.2016
Tesco Brand Packaging Director
Kestrel
05.2002 - 09.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Film/Marketing Communication 2:1 Upper Class
Derby University