Steven Newman
RANCHO CUCAMONGA
Summary
Industrious team professional with 30 years of experience collaborating with Industry leaders to design, develop, and market a broad range of products and services. Devoted to identifying and communicating diverse business opportunities with the intent to stimulate and inspire positive change. Fostered business relationships with passion, strong work ethics, acute research analysis, testing, and action. Teams are nurtured towards enhanced efficiencies, increased productivity, and profitability.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Partner
Home Product Innovations
01.2010 - 12.2014
- Directed product development initiatives to enhance market competitiveness and customer satisfaction.
- Established strategic partnerships with suppliers to optimize supply chain efficiency and reduce costs.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing marketing strategies, resulting in increased brand visibility and sales growth.
- Streamlined operational processes, improving workflow efficiency and reducing production timelines significantly.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team productivity through targeted training programs.
Product Development Manager
Relax The Back Corp
01.2004 - 12.2009
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative product solutions, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations in product design.
- Oversaw development of more than 65 new products each year.
- Streamlined product development processes, reducing time-to-market for new offerings.
- Implemented customer feedback mechanisms to inform product enhancements and drive improvements.
- Coordinated with marketing and sales teams to align product features with market demands.
- Conducted comprehensive market research to identify untapped opportunities for new product development or improvement of existing products.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to create compelling product messaging, leading to increased sales and market share.
- Created product roadmaps to help guide product development processes and align with overall business goals.
Director of Merchandising
Strouds Inc. “The Linen Experts”
01.1998 - 12.2003
- Developed and executed strategic merchandising plans to enhance product visibility and customer engagement.
- Analyzed market trends and consumer behavior to optimize inventory selection and pricing strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align merchandising initiatives with overall business objectives.
- Led negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms, improving cost efficiency on product sourcing.
- Mentored junior merchandising staff, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
- Spearheaded the redesign of store layouts to maximize space utilization and enhance shopping experience.
- Conducted regular competitive analysis to identify opportunities for differentiation in product offerings.
- Analyzed sales performance data to identify areas of opportunity for growth or improvement.
- Collaborated with marketing team to develop promotional campaigns that drove significant sales growth.
- Optimized store layouts with visual merchandising best practices, resulting in increased customer engagement.
General Manager
Thomas Bros, Maps and Books
01.1993 - 12.1997
- Directed operational strategies to enhance store performance and customer satisfaction.
- Implemented inventory management systems, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste.
- Cultivated relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts for favorable terms and pricing.
- Oversaw staff training programs, improving team efficiency and service quality.
Operational Manger
Rand McNally - Retail Division
01.1992 - 12.1993
- Streamlined operational workflows to enhance efficiency in retail operations.
- Led team training initiatives to improve product knowledge and customer service skills.
- Implemented inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and reduce shortages.
- Developed process improvements that increased order fulfillment accuracy and speed.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards and company policies.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust strategies for improved performance.
- Improved team productivity through effective communication, training, and performance evaluations.
- Managed budgets for multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and cost control.
District Manager
Mark Cross - West Coast
01.1989 - 12.1991
- Led multi-site operations, ensuring compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across district locations.
- Trained and mentored management teams, fostering leadership development and performance improvement.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, driving targeted marketing strategies to increase revenue growth.
- Established performance benchmarks, monitoring key metrics to assess operational effectiveness district-wide.
- Conducted regular audits of operational practices, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
Buyer / Merchandise Manager
Gucci Shops Inc
01.1980 - 12.1988
- Analyzed market trends to optimize purchasing strategies and enhance supplier relationships.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing and reliable delivery schedules.
- Managed inventory levels, reducing stockouts and excess inventory through effective forecasting.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align procurement goals with organizational objectives.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
Small Business Co-Owner
Aquarius Pets
01.1974 - 12.1979
- Managed daily operations, ensuring high-quality customer service and product availability.
- Developed marketing strategies to increase brand visibility and customer engagement.
- Oversaw inventory management, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices in pet care and customer interaction.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Furniture & Industrial Design
Califorina Collage of The Arts
San Francisco, CA01-2026
Bachelor of Science - B.S. Web & Graphic Design
Art Institute CA-Silicon Valley
Sunnyvale, CA06-2017
Skills
- Revenue growth
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Financial administration
- Business development expertise
- Strategic planning skills
- KPI tracking
- Business development
- Industry networking
- Forecasting
- Organizational development
- Partnership development
- Recruiting
- Interviewing expertise
- Business partnership development
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Relationship and team building
- Leadership and people development
- Business planning
- Analytical and critical thinker
Timeline
Managing Partner
Home Product Innovations
01.2010 - 12.2014
Product Development Manager
Relax The Back Corp
01.2004 - 12.2009
Director of Merchandising
Strouds Inc. “The Linen Experts”
01.1998 - 12.2003
General Manager
Thomas Bros, Maps and Books
01.1993 - 12.1997
Operational Manger
Rand McNally - Retail Division
01.1992 - 12.1993
District Manager
Mark Cross - West Coast
01.1989 - 12.1991
Buyer / Merchandise Manager
Gucci Shops Inc
01.1980 - 12.1988
Small Business Co-Owner
Aquarius Pets
01.1974 - 12.1979
Bachelor of Science - Furniture & Industrial Design
Califorina Collage of The Arts
Bachelor of Science - B.S. Web & Graphic Design
Art Institute CA-Silicon Valley