Zahra Ahmed
Chicago,IL
Summary
Analytical Product Manager with strong exposure in financial analysis, product lifecycle management, and strategic planning. Experienced in conducting market research to identify meaningful product gaps; excellent at cross-functional collaboration and effective communication.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Manager
Medline
Northfield, IL
02.2024 - Current
- Gained additional category ~$2MM, of Aids of Daily Living; ultimately responsible for a product portfolio totaling $32MM; responsible for P&L performance, long-term strategy, and overall product line maintenance
- Appointed as PM DRI for divisional sales targeting program, PACtivate; program aimed to recover lost sales experienced with Post-Acute customers. Created a Pipeline File of target customers (~$90MM) with specified targeting phases and respective steps. Worked directly on several key accounts by creating master bids offering savings, while also presenting to customers and troubleshooting potential service, quality, product concerns, etc.
- Successfully navigated through the Bed Assist Recall (~1.5M units) on the highest performing SKU in the category; problem solved with our vendors to quickly pivot to a new compliant product design. Conducted thorough financial analysis to create a Rework Plan sending ~15k units overseas back to the vendor in efforts to quickly redesign and launch to market
- Worked closely with the Recall and Marketing Teams to craft effective recall communication to media and direct end-users; letter included background, and next steps on how exactly to receive a credit on recalled product. Conducted thorough analysis to determine a unanimous, appropriate credit value across a plethora of diverse customers
- Responsible for managing several RFPs and bids across divisional product categories (~$10MM total); conducted thorough analyses to ensure we were positioned profitably, yet competitively
- Successfully secured a 6% price reduction volume-based negotiation on a SKU that spiked; ultimately leading to ~$200k in savings
- Partnered with Martha Stewart's brand team to launch a private label bed assist bar into major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon
- Provided extensive support to sales reps and customers daily; also presented at multiple customer visits, Sales Phase Training, Medline National Sales Meeting
- Trained junior team members and met with divisional leadership to create meaningful, strategic training materials tailored specifically to Durable Medical Equipment division
Associate Product Manager
Medline
Northfield, Illinois
07.2021 - 02.2024
- Managed $20MM product portfolio of Walkers; responsible for P&L performance, long-term strategy, and overall product line maintenance while securing YoY growth
- Conducted market research to identify customer needs and gaps in the existing portfolio; successfully launching over 10 new SKUs in both Healthcare and Retail markets
- Launched the first ever kitted SKUs in Durable Medical Equipment division into major retailers, like Home Depot, CVS, and Amazon; continuing to grow while also securing a 37% gross margin rate
- Successful roadmap and launch of the kitted SKUs was followed by subsequent rounds of launches in other product categories, in efforts to replicate similar growth and success
- Created new marketing materials such as a Compatibility Guide and a Accessory Sell Sheet, which were added to the yearly Catalog; ultimately driving product user friendliness to end-users and field support to sales reps
- Successfully cut slot charges incurred by performing SKU Rationalization; trimming 18% of the category, while shifting existing business to higher performing SKUs
Private and Commercial Banking Analyst
Comerica Bank
Dallas, TX
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Collaborated with a team on a specified Industry Loan project; evaluated potential target companies, valued up to $150MM, leveraging resources such as Salesforce, LinkedIn, publications, etc. ultimately developing an effective value proposition and marketing plan to be presented in efforts of extending a line of credit
- Analyzed Cash Flows, Covenants, Collateral, with managers across regions to visualize variances between forecasts, actuals, and budget; compiled quarterly and monthly variances from regions; showed overview of business to management
- Gained introductory skills for underwriting; spreading financial statements and underwriting loans, learning how to use financial metrics to assess creditworthiness of business entities
- Conducted industry research on revenue, material, engineering, and manufacturing items, analyzing trends in forecast to find anomalies and increase efficiency; collected and monitored financial information to present marketing materials for prospect identification while also working with Portfolio and Relationship Managers on maintaining client support
Education
BBA - Accounting And Finance
University of Michigan - Ross School of Business
Ann Arbor, MI05-2021
Skills
- Product lifecycle management
- Market research
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Problem solving
- Financial analysis
- Product positioning
- Project management
Timeline
Product Manager
Medline
02.2024 - Current
Associate Product Manager
Medline
07.2021 - 02.2024
Private and Commercial Banking Analyst
Comerica Bank
05.2020 - 08.2020
BBA - Accounting And Finance
University of Michigan - Ross School of Business