sarah@skbsolutions.com
phone: 360.961.3722

Sales & Marketing Executive

Accomplished and successful sales & marketing professional with experience managing all aspects of sales & marketing including: business development, sales team recruitment, development and training, product and project management, lead generation and customer retention strategies, planning, analysis, public relations, marketing communications, and trade shows. Proven ability to generate sales and develop new markets, an innovative ‘out of the box’ thinker and exceptional team leader and motivator. Excellent interpersonal communication and problem solving skills.

Entrepreneurial: a true “product champion” whose impact is enhanced by strong business skills and deep experience in:

• Business Development Strategies
• New Channel Development
• Continuous Business Process Planning
• Measurable Metrics and Forecasting Design
• Product Life Cycle Management
• Market and Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Plan Design and ROI Production
• Licensing Contract Research, Negotiation and Administration
• CRM & Client Retention Strategies
• Public Relations Campaign Design

Selected Accomplishments:

• Increased sales by over 290% in under 2 years for successful start up consumer products company
• Provided senior level business development and marketing guidance to several companies involved in different stages of product development and channel diversification
• Secured several new ‘premium property’ entertainment licenses for major catalog company
• Developed and implemented strategic alliances and integrated service agreements with several major retailers to increase revenue generation

Professional Experience

SKB Solutions, LLC
Principal/Owner
April 2006 - Present

SKB Solutions is dedicated to providing clients with ‘full circle’ marketing and business solutions. I deliver a broad spectrum of services including strategic sales consulting, new product development and channel growth strategies, license development and negotiation, targeted marketing plan design, press release and PR campaign development.

Recent Projects:

• Defining and implementing business development strategies for a mid-sized graphic design firm targeting high tech and biotech companies
• Defining core targets and strategy for both domestic sales and international licensing of award-winning interactive toy for a company looking to capitalize on initial success in an under-served market
• Developing and implementing new recruiting, hiring and training processes for a building materials company
• Working with small hotel to evaluate and determine long term strategy after the untimely departure of the owner
• User experience review and marketing strategies for a service company selling products and services via the internet

Celebrate Express, Inc
Business Development Manager
2005-2006

• Identified, acquired and managed both potential new licenses and large pool of current licensees
• Developed, negotiated and acted as lead project manager on major integrated service agreement with Target.com

GoBaby LLC
Director of Sales & Marketing
2003-2005

• Provided senior level strategic thinking on product development, licensing and operations for new and current products
• Responsible for all sales & marketing efforts including sales team management, budgets, marketing plans, ROI production, sales forecasting, trade shows and channel diversification
• Increased outlets from 30 to over 276 active accounts with 545 stores and successfully entered mass market and international verticals

Rhodes Architectural Stone
Sales Associate
2000-2003

• One of the top producing Associates in 2001 and 2002 with sales of $1.6 million
• Successfully acted on lead project manager on 41 projects from contract through specifications, operations and distribution
• Provided analysis and performance metrics for all departments to board of directors

Parker Services: Staffing Service Company
Placement Specialist
1999

• Led team in recruiting and placing individuals in administrative positions for a variety of client companies ranging from medical to high technology

Washington Mutual Bank
Employment Assistant/Recruiting Assistant
1998-1999

• Extensive research, prescreening and reference checking for areas including: Lending Sales, Mortgage Banking and National Executive Search

Education

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
Graduated: BA English Lit, May 1997

General Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in EDI, ERP, QRS and MAS90 manufacturing and sales systems, Quickbooks, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

References upon Request