Associate Brand Manager

TEODOR (TED) M. MIKOV

224-***-**** St. Charles, IL adgog0@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/teodor-mikov ASSOCIATE BRAND MANAGER

STRATEGIC PROFILE

Dynamic Team Leader with successful track record as Project Manager, Program Champion, Solution Advocate and Change Agent. Highly skilled in business development, multi-account oversight, enterprise planning, cost/benefits analysis and organizational streamlining in time-sensitive environments. Widely recognized by top management, peers and clients for deep expertise in procurement, product branding, executive presentations, process improvements, resource allocation, data analysis and innovative troubleshooting.

Solid background in building positive relationships, pursuing new opportunities and meeting client requirements in consumer-facing market spaces.

Proficient in collaborating with group partners, vendors, multiple departments, thought leaders and diverse resources in planning and executing complex and technical product development and market entry efforts.

Results-oriented formation and delivery of cost-saving initiatives, business plans, performance metrics, accurate executive reports and continuous improvement.

Consistent career advances through important procurement and marketing roles, excelling in different work cultures and business environments.

Self-motivated to achieve maximum job performance, streamline operational processes, ensure timely project completion, maintain peak quality standards and meet aggressive growth objectives. CORE COMPETENCIES

Packaging Strategies ● Strategic Planning ● Visual Merchandising ● New Product Introduction ● Procurement ● Inventory Controls ● Vendor Relations ● Project Expediting ● Purchasing ● Post-Sales Support ● Portfolio Management ● Operational Streamlining ● Supply Chain ● Market Trend Review ● Data Analytics ● Fiscal Accountability ● Contract Administration ● Clients Relations ● Executive Presentations ● Branding Strategies ● Bilingual (Bulgarian) EMPLOYMENT & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

TANGERINE PROMOTIONS, NORTHBROOK, IL (2019-2020)

Account Manager

Oversaw all aspects of account development and growth to deliver full array of promotional products in timely fashion with support from all groups. Cultivated trusted advisory relationships with executive sales team and Fortune 500 companies. Maintained detailed knowledge of industry trends and provide insights for new ideas and products.

Achieved and ensured 94% on-time delivery record for all client orders, while owning critical projects from conception to final billing application.

Liaised with IT department to update core system that decreased user errors by 23% after implementation.

Succeeded in organizing and providing fully-customized order of wristwatches for national sports team – completion in less than nine days.

MADDEN COMMUNICATIONS, WOOD DALE, IL (2014-2019)

Merchandise and Premium Buyer, 2018-2019

Performed all purchasing functions, including forecasting, sourcing/buying, order tracking, confirmations and customer back orders. Developed innovative items to promote client messaging through multiple marketing programs. Worked with Supply Chain department to identify savings and improvements on quarterly basis. Accountable for task list of over 150 unique SKUs on biweekly basis.

Consolidated and resolved over 25 unique invoices with three-five international suppliers; also reorganized buyer group for each to specialize in eight-ten procurement categories. PAGE 2 of 2

Managed close-of-business for every brand for one of client’s major alcoholic brands, representing over 200 SKU transition to new warehouse and closed out over 400 active orders within company systems.

Skillfully searched and acquired new business partner with Director of Procurement, while overseeing procurement for four national alcoholic brands.

Associate Account Executive – Pabst Brewing Company, 2016-2018 Worked onsite with client office to provide key advice on planning and developing promotional materials per program requirements. Worked with Brand Manager to track and maintain proper inventory levels. Facilitated client meetings to review project progress and address new opportunities for cost savings and product innovations. Sourced items from US and international suppliers relating to brand image and message.

Maintained profitability for company’s flagship brand through three straight quarters of procurement items.

Directly engaged with seven brand managers in selecting and ordering items per Q3 and Q4 windows.

Analyzed market research and industry data to provide specific procurement marketing items with new flavor to attract 21-29 age demographic.

Purchasing Coordinator, 2015-2016

Managed all aspects of order processing, vendor relations, agreement compliance, job estimating, data analysis, report generation and file updating. Directly worked with Accounting and Billing departments to handle cases in timely fashion. Performed orientation and training sessions for new hires.

Piloted multi-department update for company’s procurement policies for two national alcohol beverage clients.

Liaised with Supply Chain team in adding eleven new suppliers to preferred supplier network after vetting and confirming fair agreements.

Organized domestic training meetings in connection with upper management to instruct six new account executives on all procurement and purchasing guidelines.

Office Administrative Assistant, 2014-2015

Reviewed and tracked products, materials and documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Collaborated with department heads, staff and vendors to assess and address any operational issues. Helped Supply Chain team in producing relevant reports to enhance vendor qualification and assessment process.

Increased volume of specially-sized, hand-processed packages by 32% for Shipping department in first six months.

Achieved error rate of less than 6% on all purchase orders within one year.

Established and maintained one-hour wait time to retrieve and provide project records. EDUCATION

BA – Psychology (2014), UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS, Joliet, IL

- Member, Student Government Association (2010-2014), Justice League of USF (2010-2014), National Residence Honorary Association, (2014) and Spectrum (2010-2014).

- President, Psychology Club (2011-2014).

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Proficient in MS Office Suite, SAP, Monarch and proprietary programs – ProcureWare, PDQ and promotional tools.

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