Melissa Penariol

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Evaluate assortment planning to capitalize on current trends, including introducing new product categories.
• Conduct weekly analysis of in-line product performance, providing strategic recommendations to drive sales.
• Lead the end-to-end development of new products, from concept rendering to sampling and finalproduction.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Product Development, internal teams, and external stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Conduct thorough market trend research and stay informed about industry changes and consumer behavior.
• Create compelling mood boards and design briefs to guide product development and inspire creative teams.
• Maintain regular communication and follow-up with overseas factories, overseeing sample development, production, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with furniture laws and regulations in target markets, providing guidance to internal teams and factories.
• Continuously explore new material options and sources to expand the range of offerings for vendors.

• Maintaining accounts in assigned territories
• Researching and reviewing accounts for accuracy
• Coordinating and interacting with other department personnel as required

• Working with the Overseas team to create new Furniture design concepts
• Organizing all photography requirements, coordinating across the various teams involved for new product photography, timing and direction
• Coordinating the execution of weekly email campaigns
• Managing in the execution of all marketing including catalogue design, website, trade-shows and events

As a freelance designer I have had the opportunity to create print and web-based marketing collateral for a variety of industries on an on-going basis. Some of which include:

• Creating promotional marketing material for the major distributor of locations all over Canada
• Creating in store catalogues mostly on various products
• Design in store signage (Banners, lightbox signs & displays)
• Worked with the marketing department on brand identity for promotional materials such as direct mail, flyers & stationary

• Worked as part of the hard lines and soft lines team creating various goods for various brands such as Dora The Explorer, Wonderpets, NHL and Go Diego Go!
• Created production files which required either illustrations or photography of products, and attention to detail for products to be made overseas
• Designed a baby product line exclusive to Wal-Mart and Zellers for Little Sport NHL, Sesame Beginnings and Nickleodeon Kid’s lines; Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go,

• Designed Monthly ad campaigns for POP displays, In-store signage and sale events
• Ensured that the store was merchandised properly and met Wine Rack brand standards.