Katie Hayes

Managed full product lifecycle for +3k Gerber branded fittings SKUs. Collaborated with C-level leadership and cross-functional teams to execute brand strategy and deliver on business objectives across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce contributing to +$150M sales.Analyzed sales, competitive, and market data to inform assortment strategy and drive new product opportunities. Led 6 direct reports as well as cross functional teams in product development for Gerber and private brand fittings. Led business development strategy for new fittings products,including forecasting, innovation road-mapping, and launch execution aligned to market opportunity and brand goals. Developed forecast, business case, and list pricing to ensure new products offer a competitive advantage and deliver profitability demonstrating forecast accuracy improvement year-over-year.

Led the development of an innovative in-wall pressure balance mixing valve, inclusive of 4 utility patents. Product delivered on key purchase drivers of installation speed and reliability.Executed the development, forecasting and launch of 700+ SKUs as part of a comprehensive brand consolidation and repositioning.

Managed a team of 10 designers to lead execution of all home fashion product design and development for both Sears & Kmart including:furniture, storage, bedding, tabletop, decor, bath and accessories, floor coverings and lighting. Managed NPD project timelines to ensure on-time execution. Executed assortment sales performance analysis, competitive bench-marking and style gap analysis.

Working as a partner to Furniture & Luggage buying teams with product development process; competitive assortment analysis, product and design trends, sample management and evaluation, and traveling domestically and internationally for markets and sourcing trips.

Collaboration with cross-functional teams to achieve product development goals on design, quality, value and timeline.

Informal leadership of peer Product Development Managers in process and execution as well as seasonal cross-category trend and theme alignment and strategy.

Designing housewares products for private label brands in both Sears and Kmart retail formats with a focus on home decor and storage products. I work closely with my cross functional partners to support product development and merchandising strategies; communicating with domestic and international product development partners.

Assisted in the development of product specification drawings and 3D models in AutoCad and SolidWorks for use in production and sourcing of private label products sold in Sears and Kmart. I worked primarily in furniture, lighting, storage, and decorative accessory product categories.

Assisted in the development of product specification drawings for use in production and sourcing of private label products sold in Sears and Kmart. I worked primarily on lighting, furniture and decorative accessory product categories.