My Career

INNOVA GLOBAL SOURCING

Founder & Business Consultant
2018 - Current.
www.innovaglobalsourcing.com
Sourcing, product development, and business strategy consulting business serving a wide variety of clients. Some examples include clients who sell consumer products in the fashion and footwear industry, technology products for education, and raw materials for various types of industries.

Helped partners source products from Brazil traveling to factories located in Novo Hamburgo, Campo Bom, Dois Irmaos, Sapiranga, and Sao Paulo.

Assisted partners source products from China traveling to factories located in Dongguan, Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

Self-obtained and developed contacts through referrals and established appointments with potential clients.

Developed alliances with strategic partners from Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and Brazil so that a United States company specialized in the development of EdTech solutions could sell its language learning products.

Conducted sales presentations for potential customers in person and online.

Developed and nurtured relationships within partner organizations.

Provided business development consultancy services to North American companies, and to companies located in Brazil, the UK, the Dominican Republic and Asia.

Implemented market entry strategies to help partners launch their products and services.

Developed cross-functional relationships between partner organizations and suppliers.

EDS HOLDINGS

Partner & Business Development Manager
2013 - 2017
www.edsfootwear.com

Footwear Product Development Center and Trading Company in Guangzhou China, with branches in Hong Kong & Miami.

Led the opening of a North American branch of a company located in Asia.

Developed sales self-generation strategies, effectively managing business relationships with partner clients in the USA and various Latin American countries.

Provided sourcing consultancy services to companies located in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, and Chile.

Developed cross-functional relationships between customers and suppliers.

Made sales presentations for potential clients at the Miami Showroom and at the company headquarters in Guangzhou, China.

Maintained a high level of service and follow-up with associated clients and with factories in Asia and Brazil.

Implemented market entry strategies in mass sales channels, specialized store chains, and online sales channels.

Participated in product development meetings with client partners in the USA and overseas to improve and adapt product lines according to market requirements.

Traveled to many Chinese factories in cities such as Shenzhen, Shantou, Qingdao, Dongguan, Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing to develop and customize product lines according to trends and customers’ requirements.

Traveled to factories in Brazil to develop and customize product lines according to trends and customers’ requirements.

Led the participation in several tradeshows in Las Vegas, New York, Miami, and Colombia.

Participated as a speaker at multiple events organized by associations of industrial sectors in Latin American countries.

TOWN SHOES – SHOE WAREHOUSE
STERLING - THE SHOE COMPANY - CANADA

Operations Manager 2006 to 2012
Merged with www.dsw.com
Largest multi-brand retailer in Canada.

Led seventeen District Managers and three members of the office staff to achieve and exceed sales targets, control time utilization, and streamline expenses. Traveled to around 160 stores operating in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.

Led the planning of business objectives for all the different retail divisions. Trained sales teams in subjects such as store operations, product knowledge, customer service, and sales management.

Increased revenue from $81 to $132 million and expanded the business from 104 to 162 stores. Reduced shrinkage from 0.59% to 0.31% by establishing loss prevention controls.

Successfully implemented new selling approaches. Results were: Enhanced shopping experience, improved productivity, and higher sales force motivation.

Managed the implementation of a new online ERP integrated system with access to live KPI data at the store level, district managers level, and headquarters management level.

Led the opening of fifty-eight new stores under different banners catering to different types of consumers. Led the renovation of sixteen stores within budget and on time.

Identified areas in which the business had opportunities to improve operations. Monitored revenue, margins, operating expenses, and budgets.

Developed a new store operation manual with standard processes and procedures to drive efficiency with consistent execution across all stores around the country. Developed and implemented guidelines for employee evaluations, recruitment, and promotion.

Led process improvement, organizational changes, and the implementation of new management procedures and systems.

Researched and executed new initiatives for business growth and profitability improvements. Led the implementation of strategic plans, and analyzed sales productivity, KPIs, and business trends. Developed and implemented strategies to leverage business growth.

Recruited district and store managers. Improved employee productivity and led training programs across the country.

Prepared annual retail business plans in collaboration with the top management team.

Assessed strengths and weaknesses of each store recommending actions to improve the bottom line.

Developed contests with incentives and recognition programs to drive sales and motivate the staff across all stores.

Provided recognition for exceptional sales and customer service.

Lead retention programs for highly effective sales staff. Partnered with HR to develop ongoing programs for the recruitment of talent.

Developed succession plans based on business needs and staff career goals.

Created a process for performance appraisals.

Partnered with the marketing department for the development of effective visual merchandising strategies.

Led regular management meetings across the country to communicate corporate directives.

Led the transition process after the merging of Town Shoes with Sterling in May 2012.

CANADIAN LATIN TRADE INC

Founder & Business Consultant - 2003 to 2005

Managed my own company from all aspects of a small business enterprise.

Provided export management consulting services to Canadian companies.

Provided consulting services to companies in Latin America to promote sales and exports of their products to Canada.

With the support of the Canadian Embassy in Colombia, and several Colombian Chambers of Commerce, I led conferences on Canadian Innovation and presented business opportunities for Colombian companies to export their products to Canada.

Sold Canadian high-tech products to clients in Latin America. Revised business documents such as Pro-forma invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin, to make sure the seller followed the requirements of all relevant customs authorities.

Studied export rules and regulations, free trade agreements, and incoterms and helped vendors resolve issues related to compliance issues, documentation, logistics, and other activities related to the product shipment processes.

Participated in international tradeshows promoting innovative Canadian products in the sectors of portable energy, waste management, agro-industry products, and web solutions technology.

Provided consulting services to a leading Canadian IT company specialized in the automated generation of highly qualified leads, digital marketing, and solutions to improve ineffective websites. Opened new distributors in several Latin American countries.

Worked prequalifying leads from Latin American countries through a very detailed selection process using a robust CRM solution to achieve as a result lists of highly qualified companies interested in investing in new Internet technologies.

While working with these lead generation processes to capture new B2B leads around the world, I learned the acquisition strategies needed to improve lead quality and effectively close sales.

BATA LIMITED

www.thebatacompany.com
Global manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of footwear.
(3 progressive positions) 1996 - 2002

VP OF SALES
2001 - 2002
Bata India www.bata.in
Largest company branch with 15,000 employees.

Managed a US$70 million revenue business unit in India with P&L responsibility.
Met and exceeded sales goals by expanding market coverage, closing unproductive branches (depots), opening new channels, and developing incentive programs with high-volume distributors.
Worked with the merchandising and product development team in the creation of new lines to bring fashion trends to the collections.
Managed and mentored 19 district managers and traveled to markets in over 25 different cities in India to assess business and develop a standardized national sales strategy.
Brought in a new team of young MBA executives to put together a succession plan to replace underperforming managers.
Implemented a new system to monitor daily and weekly results to meet and exceed company goals.
Lead teams by setting high standards for work ethics, performance, and productivity.
Participated in the development of corporate business strategies and in the restructuring of the wholesale division.
Helped revive a nationwide DSP Dealers Support Program as a franchise business model operated by independent retailers.
Fostered and maintained teamwork and a collaborative environment.
Aligned individual and team actions with company strategies and plans to improve business results.
Introduced new policies and procedures used successfully by company branches in other countries.
Ran marketing campaigns with well-known Bollywood celebrities.
Trained staff in new processes that improved performance and bottom-line profits.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 1997 – 2000
Bata Limited – Toronto Canada www.bata.com
Global headquarters of the Bata Shoe Organization, a corporation with more than 65,000 employees operating in over 70 countries and revenues of over US$3.5 billion.

Teaming with third-party consulting managers from McKinsey & Co Canada, traveled to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, India, South Africa & Chile to perform market analysis and help to map and implement growth transformations to generate substantial value.

Traveled to seventeen countries (Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, USA, Canada, Italy, France, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand), to deliver training programs to strengthen retail and wholesale operations.

Implemented strategic plans to expand and standardize Bata's business through new and existing channels, improving efficiency and sales results for branches in more than sixty countries.

Worked across many cities of the above countries implementing sales and marketing initiatives in coordination with local sales managers, impacting top revenue, and bottom line.

Worked with the product development team of Padova Italy in the development of new product lines for global implementation.
Participated in frequent board meetings of the headquarters and company branches around the world including Shoecon a global product development meeting in Italy.

Led numerous training programs held in countries of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

SALES MANAGER Jan- Dec 1996
Manisol S.A. Colombia www.bata.com.co

Led the domestic sales operations of a US$38 million business unit with profit and loss responsibility.

Achieved 112% of the sales projections and 115% of profit targets.

Launched brands, increased market coverage, and strengthened customer service.

Led the training of product managers and district managers.

Expanded wholesale coverage and revamped business with key accounts.

Held product development and sales management conferences.

Improved the product line and collection of receivables.

UNIROYAL CROYDON S.A.

Director of Sales & Marketing
1990 - 1995
Leading manufacturer and retailer www.croydon.com.co

Led sale operations and marketing of a US$52 million business unit increasing revenues by more than 80% in 5 years.

Led product development from start to launch creating a compelling value proposition for existing brands such as Keds, Pro-Keds, Fastrak, and Croydon.

Developed and executed business plans to guide the company’s strategy and objectives.

Expanded the wholesale network by opening new distributors and key accounts. Managed project activities with clients of different channels including retail chains, specialty stores, and distributors.

Created new sales and marketing initiatives to strengthen brand recognition. Created new brands such as Discovery, Iron Men and, Hippo capturing a large market share of the canvas sneaker, and the children's footwear segment.

Negotiated and executed business contracts and agreements, in close collaboration with legal and finance teams.

Led the participation in several RFP opportunities through a bidding process with military institutions resulting in obtaining 5 consecutive years of large volume contracts.

Provided leadership to twenty-three direct reports including regional sales managers, the advertising manager, and the product development team.

Conducted competition analysis, benchmarking, market segmentation, and panel groups of customers to identify new business opportunities. Provided frequent feedback to the R&D team on market requirements and trends.

Identified and recruited top talent to manage retail and wholesale operations. Coached and mentored sales teams. Led advertising campaigns.

Launched Keds and Pro-Keds brands.