Product Management Professional

KENNETH W. LONG, JR.

*** **** ***** • Woodstock, Georgia 30188

770-***-**** • nkneon@r.postjobfree.com

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY _____ ___

Dynamic, entrepreneurial, well-rounded and hands-on consumer product professional equipped with 10 years of sourcing, product development, manufacturing and importing expertise. Strong understanding of retail requirements, buying cycles, inventory management, licensing and branding. Successfully implemented programs for most major U.S. retailers and licensors. Hands-on experience and extensive managerial experience executing each phase of a product lifecycle from concept to delivery at its final destination. Offers an extensive network of overseas and domestic manufacturers and demonstrated skills in marketing, art direction, manufacturing, supply chain management, purchasing, testing and quality control, customer and regulatory requirements and brand management. Areas of expertise include:

Testing and Regulatory Compliance • Supply Chain Management • Product and Product Line Development

Licensing • Strategic Sourcing • Inventory Management • Importing and Transportation Marketing and Branding

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS _____ ___

• Created sales and marketing plan which increased client’s Wal Mart business from 88 stores to 1000+ stores.

• Enhanced product packaging for client, resulting in placement at several U.S. and Canadian retail accounts.

• Achieved more than $2 million in annual savings by improving efficiencies in logistics, purchasing, product development and inventory management.

• Consolidated supply chain from 43 to 8 suppliers while maintaining identical product offering in scope and quality and obtaining lower pricing through volume discounts.

• Implemented project management process resulting in 100% on time delivery of products to Target Stores for three consecutive store sets and achieved vendor recognition from the buying team.

• Set up Shanghai, China representative office for company with minimal long term investment and in a manner allowing the office to be fully functional within 4 weeks after opening.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE ______ ___

Sourcing and Product Development Consultant

Sunrise World Enterprises, LLC March,2008-Present

International business consultant assisting clients with product development, strategic sourcing, process improvement, manufacturing, logistic and safety compliance. Since March 2008, I have::

Formulated sales strategies based upon market research and developed presentation materials which formed the basis for my client’s sales efforts. Resulted in placement at Target, Costco Canada, Safeway Canada and 900 additional Wal Mart stores.

Manufactured client’s product overseas resulting in 50% cost savings over domestic production. Served as the Importer of Record for these orders.

Spearheaded product development of a collegiate licensed product. Responsible for management of all phases of project including: negotiating pricing, factory compliance, QC, manufacturing, testing, obtaining the licenses, creating sales force, and advising on internal client resource requirements. Product is on schedule, due to be in stock in August, 2010.

Created and presented seminars on regulatory compliance under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to my client, a major stationery manufacturer.

Director of Sourcing and Product Development (Contractual)

Sandylion Sticker Designs March, 2008-April, 2009

Member of executive staff with responsibility for supply chain management, purchasing, inventory control, direct import team, creative department and customer service departments of this Canadian printing and sticker manufacturer. Primary accomplishments:

Reduced average inventory purchase by $300,000 per month, reduced overall inventory by 30% and improved in-stock rate from 82% to 93%. .

Implemented Art Department project schedule resulting in annual savings of $600,000 per year.

Spearheaded inventory testing protocols to ensure compliance with new Consumer Product Safety Laws.

Secured new logistics provider resulting in 36% savings in transportation costs and improved transit times

KENNETH W. LONG, JR. Page 2 of 2

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE, CONTINUED

Director of Global Sourcing & Purchasing

Martin Designs, Inc. (out of business as of February 8, 2008) March, 2007-February, 2008

Member of executive staff with responsibility for the sourcing, purchasing and inventory management of this social stationery and licensed goods provider. Remained as final executive during company wind down.

Reduced inventory levels by liquidating obsolete items and implementing a just-in-time inventory purchasing schedule.

Raised gross margins on key, high volume products by relocating production of goods to different countries, obtaining competitive bids, price renegotiations.

Executed successful nation-wide Wal Mart endcap seasonal program, complying with customer standards, re-sourcing program and achieving 6% improvement in gross margin.

Director of Sourcing & Product Development

Southern States Marketing Inc./ Peachtree Playthings July, 2004-March, 2007

Analyzed competitive products; led brainstorming sessions, managed product design, costing, factory selection, sampling, and production. Traveled extensively overseas to interview potential suppliers, monitor production of major initiatives, negotiate pricing, develop product lines, and attend sales presentations. Supervised the efforts of product development staff, including two product managers, two mock-up specialists, three designers, and outside design resources. Created licensed product lines for such major Disney licenses as Cinderella, Cars, and The Little Mermaid; managed product selection, development, sourcing, sampling, licensor approval, and contract fulfillment.

• Developed a stationery product line that has increased in breadth from five major customers to eight as well as a boost in SKU facings from three to five in the everyday plan-o-gram for Wal-Mart.

• Streamlined the product development process by creating a product specification process, resulting in more complete and accurate initial product quotes.

Vice President of Product Development & Legal Affairs

Raymond Geddes & Company Inc. August, 2001-June, 2004

Traveled abroad to develop product lines, meet with factories, negotiate pricing, and attend international trade shows for this school supply, stationery, and novelty goods wholesaler. Managed the product development process, from inception through completion; assigned and prioritized art department projects. Replaced approximately 100 items every six months, completing design work and all production details. Oversaw operations of the Shanghai sourcing office.

• Devised license programs for Universal Studios and Hershey Foods; developed a private label program for major retailers, including Target Corporation. Established relationships with major licensors, allowing the company to obtain favorable licenses such as Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, Curious George, and Hana Deka Club.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE ___

Litigation Attorney

Royston, Mueller, McLean and Reid LLP November, 1999-August, 2001

Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General May,1991-November, 1999

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Juris Doctor Bachelor of Business Administration

University of Baltimore Loyola College in Maryland

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