Tara Thompson

• Presented and discussed strategy and initiative progress with senior business leaders.
• Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership. Implemented CRM processes.
• Developed measurement tools, dashboards, and reports to track metrics on the adoption and effectiveness of initiatives. Created Sales Playbook.
• Launched groundbreaking products that captured market share from competitors while generating substantial revenue growth.
• Networked with customers, prospects, and partners at conferences and trade shows.
• Maintained P&L and owned responsibility for Sales Budget, 2021 was the most successful in company history.
• Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising, and new product development.
• Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.

Customer-Focused Strategic Account Executive for several top 10 customers and jey new customers, responsible for 30% of total Fragrance Division's sales revenue.

• Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
• Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
• Brainstormed proactive concepts and new olfactive directions with creative teams.
• Regularly presented market trends, overviews, training, technology and new concepts to key customers.
• Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
• Participated on task force to improve employee engagement & process improvements.

Led and developed the fragrance sales team. Reported to Executive Vice President/Owner, directed a staff of 14 people.

• Oversaw Division Budget; Improved budgeting process by implementing line-item based system, providing greater customer focus and improved efficiencies.
• Increased margins by 1% and revenues by 12% with pricing and focused selling initiatives.
• Continued development & focus of creative fragrance development and evaluation for top tier Accounts,
• Prioritized and allocated valuable resources to meet business targets.
• Drove revenue growth through successful market expansion strategies, identifying untapped markets and capitalizing on emerging trends.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization. Ensured product superiority was a priority.
• Achieved departmental goals by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.

Developed business expansion plans, and collaborated with senior leadership & department heads. Spearheaded project and process improvements in the creative process.

• Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
• Developed executable project workflow in collaboration with marketing creative, technical, and regulatory departments, optimizing project execution. and improved response times, resulting in increased wins.
• Oversaw development of new olfactive direction for key home care and personal care customers.
• Developed fragrance evaluation training program and expert panel for home care and air care fragrance development.
• Ensured Safety & Regulatory compliance in an ever-changing environment.
• Leveraged technology expansion to secure an exclusive arrangement with key client to launch a new air care fragrance delivery system.

• Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
• Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate and build competent teams.
• Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives for long and short-term goals.
• Set sales plans and annual forecasting to ensure manufacturing materials were procured, and met customer demands.
• Managed cost centers and budgets for key customer accounts. $20MM in client business.
• Supervised Project Coordinator and provided creative and sales direction to Evaluators and Sales Manager.
• Lobbied & reorganized internal resources to focus on revenue growth for BBW;l new structure established company as a "go-to supplier" for the customer, resulting in a 10% increase in revenues.
• Collaboratively developed & won with the creative team exclusive custom fragrance launches from BBW that generated the largest incremental revenues with the account.

An integral member of the leadership team merging Manheimer Fragrances with the Symrise organization after its acquisition in 2008.

• Led efforts & collaborated with operations, manufacturing, and regulatory department heads to secure organic certification for the fine fragrance division resulting in the company's first-ever use of the USDA Organic Seal and the development of the industry's first USDA Certified Organic Fine Fragrances: Wholearth, endorsed by Danny Seo on HSN.
• Collaborated with Marketing and Perfumery to create new fragrance collections, trends, LTO's and Seasonal offerings.
• Partnered with department executive in Life -Essentials and Flavor divisions to develop lip gloss and cosmetic launches for key customers, providing full-service fragrance tie-ins, while driving additional internal company revenue growth.
• Responsible for olfactive direction to perfumers and client submissions on key account projects.
• Quickly gained proficiency in new creative fragrance development systems and fragrance library systems.

Transitioned into Account Executive Sales position, managing key customer accounts.

• Championed change management initiatives within the organization to ensure smooth transitions during periods of growth/restructuring.
• Resolved issues and recommended actions based on production and compliance reports.

Expanded the Company's home fragrance business strengths into the specialty and fine fragrance markets.

• Managed a team of fragrance evaluators and coordinators responding to all project briefs and proactive initiatives.
• Successfully drove creative strategy & fragrance development to deliver winning fragrance solutions to key customers including Tova, BBW, and VS.
• Cultivated relationships and grew air care business with key customers including Walmart, Party Lite, and Candle Lite.
• Spearheaded development and launch of Origins Organic Line, and industry revolutionizing line of certified organic fragrance products. generating $100K in the first year.
• Demonstrated strong technical skills by assisting R&D with solutions for stability and formula challenges.
• Leveraged relationships & innovation across departments to create a competitive advantage. (Naturals Division).

Promoted in less than one year from VP, Fine Fragrance Evaluation to manage Fine Fragrance & US evaluation teams (NY & NJ)

Improved operations management-

• Initiated a new business model/department structure; a team-oriented environment increased departmental efficiency and ensured proper governance for project inflow and outflow.
• Created a comprehensive fragrance library system
• Evaluated & researched trends, and identified new olfactive areas that resulted in new fragrance accords.
• Supervised customer briefs for all fine fragrance clients.
• Managed Estee Lauder Accounts (18 companies), initiated and co-developed with technical lab the company's in-house testing program to ensure product stability.
• Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate and manage a team of NY & NJ evaluators and Sales Administrators to respond to customer briefs.
• Collaborated with Marketing and Technical teams to deliver actionable consumer testing results to share with key customers.

Launched the American Designer's Group (ADG) development program for new product launches and prospective brands

• Developed a five year fragrance strategy for the group
• Directed the creation of Michael Kors first Signature fragrance and line extensions.
• Implemented stability program, clinical and consumer testing for ADG brands.
• Educated US Company on corporate and European regulatory guidelines to ensure adherence for all fragrance products.
• Recruited and developed US Product Development Team.
• Developed ancillary formulas with contract manufacturers.

Promoted 5 times in 10 years, culminating with a leadership role as Global R&D Director for Avon's $1.5B Fragrance, Specialty Bath, and Home Fragrance Businesses.

• Oversaw the launch of over 700 sku's annually, including 50 major fine fragrances, 50 skus for the US candle business, and over 300 new fragrance companies.
• Directed fragrance and product development formulation for five upscale product lines in hair care, skin and personal care exclusively for the Avon Centre Spa, NY NY.
• Developed Avon's first Global fine fragrance: Far Away.
• Partnered with marketing department heads in key countries to ensure resource allocation and product development timelines were achieved.
• Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Supported manufacturing operations with training to commercialize product formulations in all fragrance and personal care categories.
• Member of executive leadership team, developed company and division strategies.
• Strong communications skills up and down the organization including fragrance strategies, R&D business plans, timelines, market research results, and personnel development to company executives including C-office executives, sales force, and new employees.
• Traveled extensively throughout the Avon world promoting new products at sales events, media events in person, on screen, and in print across the globe.