daniel mitchell - the portfolio

THEPORTFOLIODAN MITCHELL

An experienced import coordinator, product developer & marketing professional, Dan Mitchell is passionate about he products that he has introduced to the marketplace

Over five years experience in purchasing, product development and brand building

A love for good design, a drive to succeed and a passion for finding and sourcing the best that the world has to offer

Attention to detail, a keen eye for style, motivation & hard work have guided Dan as he’s worked to develop his portfolio

As import coordinator for one of Manitoba’s premier home improvement retailers, responsible for retail sales in excess of $3.5 million annually & the creation of an array of private label brands and their presentation

OVERVIEW

Researching and sourcing of top factories capable of producing and developing product suitable for Canadian retail market

Working closely with off-shore vendors to establish terms, quantities, expectations of orders

Private label development (in-store branding); working with purchasing team, senior management, graphic designers to create brand identities that tie together product and tell a story; taking a product from concept to reality

Out of the box approach to design, product assortments and advertising

Strong market trend understanding

SKILLS & SPECIALTIES

Working with retailer’s in-store merchandising teams to ensure that products are properly presented and displayed

Execution & planning of advertising & promotion of import products by means of retailer’s flyers, websites, social media

Creation of seasonal assortments of merchandise (including holiday merchandise, patio furniture, seasonal décor), selecting pieces that tie in to each other to tell product story and create rounded assortment

SKILLS & SPECIALTIES

Quotation & supplier collaboration

Project management Product & packaging

development Reviewing options for cost

savings Working with vendor and third-

party inspectors to ensure that products meet / exceed quality control

Work with freight forwarders, ensuring that vendors have booking information as required, that containers leave as scheduled; handling and processing of paperwork and documentation pre & post container arrival

Advertising, promotional material

After sales support and care of customers

SKILLS & SPECIALTIES

EXPERTISE – PATIO & DECOR

Patio furniture with special interest in Vietnamese & Chinese mid / upper-end aluminum framed wicker pieces

Knowledge of differences in wicker weaves – comparison of European vs. Asian faux wicker / rattan

Experience working with top factories that also produce product for companies including Ethan Allan, Dedon, Agio, Andrew Richard Designs, Gluckstein Home (HBC)

Teak & Burmese Shorea hardwood furniture

EXPERTISE – PATIO & DECOR

Sourcing of Vietnamese and Chinese garden planters & yard décor including ceramic, fiber resin, tin planters along with Shepard hooks, hanging & window baskets, garden arbors, etc.

Gazebos, pergolas Fire pits, patio heaters,

outdoor fireplaces Pillows, greenery, décor

(import and domestic) Barbeques, grills, BBQ tools

(import and domestic)

EXPERTISE – PATIO & DECOR

EXPERTISE – INTERIOR FURNITURE

Development of private label furniture assortments for mass-merchant retail consumption

Selection of upholstery, finishes; analyzing market conditions to ensure products were on-trend with other retailers

Negotiation of terms, conditions, minimal order quantities

Have worked with manufacturers that produce product for Loblaws, Target, Kohl’s, Home Outfitters

EXPERTISE – INTERIOR FURNITURE

Creation of advertising and promotional campaigns to create buzz and draw attention to retailer

Working closely with retailer’s advertising department created brand specific advertising format for retail flyers, web content

Increased attention to category has created new stream of revenue for retailer with margins in excess of 15% higher than originally expected

EXPERTISE – INTERIOR FURNITURE

EXPERTISE – BATHROOM PRODUCTS

Strong relationship with a number of top Asian vanity producers.

Experience custom developing piece for retailer as well as sourcing pieces from manufacturer’s existing designs – tailoring all to Canadian marketplace

Developing private label packaging, hang-tags, promo information

Ensuring that all pieces meet Canadian certifications

EXPERTISE – BATHROOM PRODUCTS

Revitalized retailer’s mix of import vanities, introducing an up to date and fashion forward assortment of both contemporary and classic styles

Experience negotiating quantities – working with factories to build mixed container assortments vs. full containers for each style

Have sourced and imported multiple containers of free-standing bathtubs, both modern & classic in design

EXPERTISE – BATHROOM PRODUCTS

Working with top Asian sourcing specialists & leading factories, developed family of cultured marble vanity tops in four colors and multiple sizes for retailer

Developed an assortment of CUPC approved granite vanity tops under retailer’s private label brand Assortment saw retailer grow their

granite business by 84% in less than a year

Put retailer on the map for being able to offer top quality granite at unheard of retails whilst achieving high margins

EXPERTISE – BATHROOM PRODUCTS

EXPERTISE – FLOORING

Over the course of one year, worked with leading Asian sourcing specialists to develop private label assortment of laminate flooring for retailer

Reviewing market conditions, trends developed 14 SKU assortment of colors in a variety of thicknesses & widths

Creation of retailer’s brand – working with graphic designer to come up with image for program

EXPERTISE - FLOORING

Reviewed market pricing to determine where retails should be set and to see where there was potential for greater margin that typically taken by retailer

Expanded private label brand to include engineered hardwood flooring, EPE / EVA foam underlayment, birch-ply underlayment, cork, granite tile

EXPERTISE - FLOORING

EXPERTISE – HOME IMPROVEMENT

Over the course of the past five years have developed assortments and worked with factories to source many items & categories for home improvement retailers including –

Stair stringers Hand trucks / trolleys PE tarpaulins Electric fireplaces Rubber pavers Hand tools Work benches & garage storage Car shelters Builder’s hardware Roofing felt

EXPERTISE – HOME IMPROVEMENT

Experienced import coordinator and product developer Outstanding depth of knowledge and understanding of import from

Asian markets to Canada Fresh perspective on product assortments, packaging, promotion Proven results Established contacts throughout Asia and North America Driven to succeed Organized & professional

SUMMARY

Dan Mitchell6-390 River AvenueWinnipeg, MB R3L 0C5Canada(204) 250-7656danmitchell@live.ca

CONTACT