Product Introduction & Retirement Process
Redesigning Product Development Process to Increase Competitiveness at Tier 1 Automotive Interior Supplier
Developed a product development strategy that enabling affordable business structure and increase competitiveness. Created a balanced set of in-process, predictive performance metrics and a design structure matrix which enabled the development process to handle changes more efficiently and to minimize iteration loops. Project resulted in a proactive, cost- effective ability to ensure high quality product, reduced resource requirements, and an affordable, more competitive product development cost structure.
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Developing Category Management Capabilities with Item-level Strategies at Large Direct Marketing Company
Worked with the senior merchandising team to develop capabilities and strategies for all key elements that constitute strategic merchandising -- assortment strategy, new product introduction, catalog/web placement strategy, product lifecycle strategy, and pricing strategy. With strategic approach, CatalogCo now meeting SKU targets, properly planning media placement, and able to identify and fill gaps in assortment.
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Quick-win Engineering and Material Cost Reductions at International Custom Machine Tools Designer and Manufacturer
Conducted 4-week diagnostic to understand drivers of ongoing margin erosion (~10% point gap between quoted margin vs. realized margin) that identified $1.7-2.7MM in quick-win cost savings opportunities in 3 key areas: robust, cross-functional quoting and engineering processes with formal involvement of engineering in the quoting process and proactive management of hours/scope in the engineering process; material spend reduction by implementing cost-focused (vs. “get the parts in”) purchasing process/tools, renegotiating/ establishing contracts with key vendors, and standardizing parts to leverage volume; and selective migration of engineering to India, starting with detailed engineering and phasing in higher skill activities. Execution assistance included: creating vendor negotiation strategy and vendor packages for top vendors (6-20% savings already realized); crafting quoting and engineering process end-vision; and developing a detailed capture plan with timeline for all targeted savings.
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Rapid Inventory and Supply Chain Cost Structure Diagnostic at Niche Apparel Producer
Conducted an inventory and cost structure diagnostic and created a plan for capture of opportunities at a recently acquired private equity portfolio company. Identified $11+MM in inventory reduction, $1.2–1.9+MM in overhead expense reduction, and $0.4–1.2MM in freight cost reduction opportunities.
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Enhancing Forecasting, Planning, and Product Lifecycle Management in Post-merger Environment at Leading Sporting Safety Equipment Company
Assisted 4 client teams and trained client personnel during a post-merger replenishment system enhancement and inventory reduction effort. Developed a centralized inventory and planning model by merging information from 2 separate operating entities. Achieved $8+MM reduction in inventory in 9 months.
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Tackling the Sources and Costs of Product Complexity at Global Cosmetics Products Company
Identified the sources and cost impacts of product complexity for a billion dollar manufacturer of cosmetic products. Initiatives included product simplification and harmonization (including packaging simplification), and optimization of the product launch process via cross-functional communication and use of packaging pallets. Significant savings $38-$40MM were discovered and worldwide rollout is expected after initial successes in the US and Europe.
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